Panthers Defense Must Stand Tall Against Struggling Bruins

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The Florida Panthers (8-4-5, 21 points) are back in action Tuesday when they travel to Boston (11-3-3, 25 points) to finish out a three game road trip.

Florida has split the first two games and are coming off an exciting 6-5 shootout win over the New York Rangers.

Evgenii Davodov tied a career high in the win with three points on a goal and two assists.

Boston leads the Atlantic Division with those 25 points while Florida is right in the middle of the pack, which is a better place than in recent years where they occupied the cellar early in the season.

The Panthers and Bruins are tied for 5th in the NHL in scoring with 60 goals, both teams have played 17 games entering Tuesday.

Where the difference lies is in goals allowed, Florida is tied for the fourth most goals allowed (also 60) while Boston has surrendered just 41.

That’s the difference between being second in goals allowed per game for Boston (2.41GAA) versus 26th in GAA for the Panthers (3.53).

Florida allows the ninth fewest shots against per game (30.2) so the conversion percentage for their opponents is an issue.

 

The Panthers defense has allowed at least five goals in seven games already, winning just once (against the Rangers this week).

Newly acquired goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (6-3-4, 3.39GAA, .884SV%) has struggled and his numbers are well below his career averages.

Florida’s offense has not been the issue and the recent resurgence of captain Aleksander Barkov has helped carry the team through inconsistent defensive efforts.

After not scoring a goal in his first 12 games this year, Barkov has found the net in five straight contests and leads the Panthers with 22 points overall.

 

Boston is in their own funk at the moment, losing three in a row following a six game win streak. The Bruins are banged up with forwards Jake Debrusk and David Backes hitting injured reserve this week.

They are still plenty of weapons for Boston as top scorers David Pastrnak (15 goals, 15 assists) and Brad Marchand (11 goals, 18 assists) are ever dangerous.

Pastrnak has six points in his last five games but none in the previous two losses, while Marchand has four goals and four assists in his last five outings.

Puck drops from the TD Garden in Boston at 7:00PM. Make sure to check out Alex Donno on the pre and post game broadcasts on 560 WQAM as well.

 

 

 

Despite move to TE early in season, Njoku elects to transfer

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Attrition continues for Manny Diaz’s program as redshirt-sophomore Evidence Njoku, who made the switch from wide receiver to tight end earlier this season, has decided to transfer out of the program. Njoku was not present at practice this morning. 

 

“He came to me and said he intends to transfer. He is a good young man and we wish him well wherever he ends up,” coach Manny Diaz added after practice.

Evidence finishes his UM career with one catch for 18 yards. Despite the switch, opportunities for the 6’6” Njoku to see the field were very slim considering the Canes are returning standout Brevin Jordan for at least one more season along with Will Mallory. He had been hoping to follow in the footsteps of many UM tight end greats before him, including his older brother David, who was a first-round draft pick in 2017. 

 

Njoku’s departure now leaves the team with five scholarship tight ends in Jordan, Mallory, Michael Irvin Jr., Brian Polendey, and Larry Hodges. Miami also has at least one more tight end coming in the next recruiting cycle with Naples High’s Dominic Mammarelli currently committed.

 

Some fans question the tanking objective. (Tony Capobianco for Five Reasons Sports)

Dolphins land premier QB in latest Tankathon Mock Draft

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Despite winning two straight games, the Miami Dolphins are still able to acquire LSU QB Joe Burrow in Tankathon’s latest 3- Round Mock Draft.

After starting the season 0-7, the Dolphins have won two straight games.

No, they weren’t the most prestigious of victories. After all, one came against the lowly Jets and former HC Adam Gase. And on Sunday, the Dolphins defeated a banged up Colts team, led by Brian Hoyer. They may not have been pretty, but the Dolphins continue their upward trajectory. And as 3 Yards Per Carry’s CKparrot pointed out on twitter, they could very well be playing their best football in December.

Worst of all, Miami’s latest victory comes a day after GM Chris Grier, Stephen Ross, and two college scouts attended the LSU/Alabama shootout.  And whether or not you believe that Tua Tagovailoa is the apple of their eye (he is), Joe Burrow was equally as impressive. But no matter which quarterback the Dolphins covet, they will need to do one of two things.

A) Stop winning football games.

B) Trade a boatload of assets to move up and get their QB.

C) Settle on another 2020 QB

D) Other

In the latest Tankathon 3-round mock draft, there’s still hope that the Dolphins land a premier QB. Unfortunately, it’s not the QB a majority of fans covet.

First Round

With the 4th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select — Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Burrow has been absolutely outstanding this season, completing 236/299 for 3,198 yards 33 touchdowns and 4 interceptions this season.  In fact, some draft pundits believe he may be a better fit in Cincinnati.  After all, he’s a local product that fits Zac Taylor’s system.  Regardless of whether or not he or Tua Tagovailoa is selected #1 overall, if the top-5 were to end up the way it currently stands, the Dolphins could land a premier signal caller in this year’s draft.

At the back end of the first-round, Miami selects WR Laviska Shenault, the dynamic WR from Colorado.  Ironically enough, Shenault is a life-long fan of the Dolphins and would be a good fit in O’Shea’s offense.  With their last pick in round one, Miami selects Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis.  His size and versatility would be yet another welcomed addition in Flores’ defense.

Second Round

At the top of round two, the Dolphins upgrade the running back position with one of the most explosive backs in all of football, D’Andre Swift.  No one can argue how dismal Miami’s run game has been this season, especially with Kalen Ballage touting the rock for a pedestrian 2.1 yards per carry. Hopefully, when Mark Walton serves his four-game suspension he can help ease the coaching staff’s pain. Nevertheless, Miami will almost certainly be drafting a running back in April’s draft.

Later in round two, the Dolphins select pass-rusher Kenny Willekes from Michigan State. Willekes has 55 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2019 and would be a difference maker at a position of need.

Third Round

Back in 2018, a lot of Dolphins fans (and Stephen Ross) wanted the team to draft one of the most dynamic QBs in all of football. Unfortunately, Miami passed on Lamar Jackson for Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was later traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But make no mistake about it, Chris Grier has learned from his past mistakes and in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, he finally gets Lamar Jackson. That’s right, with the 69th-overall pick, Miami selects physical defensive back Lamar Jackson out of Nebraska.

 

This will change many more times between now and April 23, 2020. With that said, how do you feel with Tankathon’s latest mock draft?

Josh Houtz (@houtz) is a die-hard fan of the Miami Dolphins, and is okay (I guess) with #BlowForBurrow

Gallery: Best photos from Miami’s win over Louisville

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Miami Heat suspend Dion Waiters for 10 games

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This is yet another chapter in the Miami Heat-Dion Waiters saga.

It has been a tumultuous season for Dion Waiters and the Miami Heat, and it is apparent that the Heat have had enough of his antics. On Sunday, it was announced that the team has suspended him for 10 games.

The most recent incident occurred on Friday when Waiters was ill because he ate too many gummies. The incident occurred a flight from Phoenix to Los Angeles, before the team was set to take on the Lakers. He fell asleep by the time the plane landed and he had a seizure when he woke up.  Waiters’ mother took to Instagram on Friday to deny the report.

Having missed nine games already this season,  he is in the third season of a four-year, $52 million contract.

In the meantime, the Miami Heat are performing well despite all of this off-court drama. Currently, they are ranked third in the Eastern Conference with a 6-3 record. They are set to take on the Pistons on the road on Tuesday.

It definitely seems like the Miami Heat are tired of the drama surrounding Waiters, whether it be one situation or another. This 10-game suspension is certainly warranted, given all of the things the team has had to go through this year with him. It would be one thing if he was a crucial part of this team, and was relied upon heavily in order for Miami to win. However, they have shown that they don’t need Waiters to win. Others have stepped up nicely to fill the void left by him.

It will be interesting to see if he has a role with the team following the suspension. I’m guessing his days in Miami are numbered. He is becoming a huge distraction and is obviously disgruntled. It may be best for both parties to cut ties and move forward. It is quite possible that a change of scenery is needed for him to continue being an effective player in the NBA. Right now, things are not going well for him in Miami.  It may be best for everyone involved to move forward.

Jimmy Murphy breaks turnover chain in Miami’s senior day win

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Jimmy Murphy is as unique a senior as any in the history of the University of Miami football program.

Occasionally nicknamed “Rudy” the 5-7 ball of energy has been in the forefront of the Hurricanes special teams unit. He said before the season that kickoffs were his favorite but his best moment has been on the punt team. Only then when the crowd at Hard Rock Stadium roars after seeing him make a tackle or down the punt.

Wearing the caption “C” on senior day, it was only fitting that he would have at least one more memorable moment to cap off an unprecedented Hurricane career. He got it in the third quarter of Miami’s 52-27 drubbing over the Louisville Cardinals.

Louis Hedley kicked a 47-yard punt to Tutu Atwell, who fumbled the return, which was then recovered by Murphy to continue the Hurricanes offensive drive. The drive concluded with a field goal by Camden Price but the Turnover chain was finally awarded to Murphy, who was unable to contain his excitement.

“I didn’t know I had it,” Murphy said, “I was just filled with energy. When they brought it out, I‘m like, ‘Oh my God, that’s mine!’ So I just took it and I forgot that I was wearing a helmet.”

He broke the latch off of the chain as he attempted to take a bite out of the “305” medallion.

“That would be a Jimmy Murphy thing to do because he’s so physical and full speed in everything that he does,” Miami head coach Manny Diaz said.

“I didn’t break it,” Murphy said. “I hope I didn’t break it.”

Cornerback Al Blades Jr. was the next Hurricane to wear the turnover chain after intercepting Louisville quarterback Evan Conley. The chain was fixed and he held a whiteboard with the handwritten note saying, “It’s not fake.”

“The chain is in good condition,” Blades said. “It is not broke. It is real and in well condition.”

Murphy, who joined the Hurricanes as a walk-on defensive back, leaves as a running back with both the turnover chain and touchdown rings.

Jarren Williams, Hurricanes explode, embarrass Louisville

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QB1 wasn’t done at one. Or two. Or three. Or four.

Or even five.

Jarren Williams, who won the Miami Hurricanes’ job in camp, looked impressive early in the season and then regressed as he struggled with a shoulder surgery, announced himself as the present and future of the program in Saturday’s 52-27 demolition of Louisville.

No one has ever thrown as many touchdowns for the Hurricanes in a game.

Not Bernie Kosar, Jim Kelly, Vinny Testaverde, Gino Torretta or even the immortal Kirby Freeman.

Only Deshaun Watson, then of Clemson, has thrown as many touchdowns in an ACC contest.

Sure, Williams’ protection was the best it’s been all season — the best it’s been for any quarterback here in years, actually. And yes, just about every receiver, especially Dee Wiggins, was consistently uncovered. Still, Williams had to make the throws, and did he ever. Again and again, he was on target, poised in the pocket and precise with his passes.

Williams’ brilliance lifted Miami to 6-4 in Manny Diaz’s first season, and 4-3 in the ACC. While the improvement of the overall team is undeniable, it’s still reasonable to wonder where the Hurricanes — now on a three-game win streak — would be if they had simply identified a competent kicker earlier in the season.

DeeJay Dallas and Cam’Ron Harris combined for 158 yards rushing.

Michael Harley and Wiggins combined for four of the touchdowns and more than 200 yards receiving.

Al Blades Jr. had an interception.

But the non-Jarren moment of the game was provided by celebrated underdog walk-on Jimmy Murphy, who recovered a fumble on a punt, tried to eat the turnover chain and broke it as Diaz cheered in the rain.

Miami finishes the regular season against FIU and Duke.  Then there will be a bowl game.

(For more, listen to 5 Rings Canes and Shula Bowl Podcast on the Five Reasons Sports Network. Photos by our Tony Capobianco.)

Looking high, low for info about Dion Waiters’ latest issue

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The Dion Waiters saga in Miami has taken a strange twist. After being fat shammed by most of NBA twitter for seemingly eating too many sweets while recovering from an ankle injury last season, his relationship with the Miami Heat took an even more sour turn this season. He was ultimately suspended by the Heat for conduct detrimental to the team, after his bench and Instagram comments about Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. And, even while being declared active, has not played for the team yet this season.

Now, on the team flight to Los Angeles, Waiters suffered a medical emergency when he overdosed on gummies according to Andy Slater of 640AM.ThTh

 

 

We certainly hope Waiters is OK, regardless of the circumstances.

The Heat have yet to comment further, as they returned Saturday and have a day off before preparing for Tuesday’s home game against Detroit.

While we wait, Twitter has been ruthless, as expected.

 

The guess here, however, is the Heat are not laughing.

More as it comes in.

National Media Pushes Dumb Jimmy Butler Narrative

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The national narrative about Jimmy Butler strikes again. After Miami defeated Phoenix last behind Jimmy Butler’s 34 points, he stepped into the winners’ circle with Jason Jackson.  

 

Jokingly he sent teammates Bam Adebayo and Meyers Leonard back to the locker room before getting he interviewed. When asked about the video bombs, Butler responded; “It’s not about them, It’s about me right now”.  

Of course, the national media had a field day with this as many took Butler’s comments out of context and responded with tweets calling him a “bad teammate.”  Even though Butler was clearly laughing throughout the video, people ripped him apart.  

These preset narratives of Butler being a bad teammate are absolutely ridiculous. Butler has preached being unselfish this year even saying last night that he spoke with coaches who wanted him to be more aggressive. He has embraced being a leader and took all the young players under his wing, especially rookie Tyler Herro whom he continues to have only great things to say about. 

 

 

The majority of the hate for Butler seems to comes from the manner in which he forced his way out of Minnesota. Critics deemed him a selfish teammate who only cared about his own personal benefit. This summer again didn’t help his image when he made his way down to South Beach. Philly fans tore Butler apart when he chose Miami over the 76ers who were a Kawhi Leonard bounce away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.

Many view this as Butler’s retirement tour. 

The national media will continue to tear Jimmy apart for even looking at the camera wrong but down here in South Florida we love how he has embraced the Culture and look forward to the future with him. 

As do his teammates…

Adam Gase is the Tanking Remedy

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Former Dolphins Head coach, Adam Gase, got embarrassed by his former team this weekend. The so-called “Offensive Guru” has had a rough start since his tenure with the Jets began. He is undoubtedly on the hot seat after a 1-7 start with a team that had such high expectations after spending boatloads of money acquiring high profile talent this offseason. 

 

His genius offensive play call has the Jets ranking 32nd in almost every major offensive category. His ability to be a Quarterback whisperer has Sam Darnold looking fantastic with six touchdowns and nine interceptions in five games this season. The whole appeal to hiring Gase was this so-called revolutionary offense that would have defensive coordinators terrified. 

 

Adam Gase is a complete fraud of a head coach with one fluke playoff run led behind Jay Ajayi’s monster run during his first season as a head coach. The Jets are going through absolute chaos as the media and fans have both completely turned on Gase. After being dismantled By the tanking Dolphins chants of “Fire Gase” ensued as he walked into the tunnel of Hard Rock Stadium. 

 

 

 

The absolute best thing Gase did Sunday though was sitting on the bench alone early In the fourth quarter looking as If he was scheming up some mastermind plan. This all happening while his team was trying to make a crucial stop to get back into the game. He looked like a fan watching the game rather than being a head coach. 

 

 

His press conference afterward was also memorable. He declined to comment on whether he deserved to be fired from Miami, which 100% he did deserve. After the loss, Gase was asked about the embarrassment of losing to the dolphins and stated “It’s the NFL. You can’t be embarrassed by this s***”. Maybe Gase plan all along was to screw the dolphins out of that first overall pick in April’s draft and I can say without a doubt no one in Miami misses this fraud of a head coach Adam Gase. 

 

 

Many media outlets have been extremely critical of this Dolphins season for their tanking tactics. Steve Young last week on Monday night football stated that the Dolphins are “putting people’s health at risk.” This morning on “Get Up” Pat McAffe offered an apology to the dolphins and ripped Coach Gase further saying “you lost to a team that is actively trying to lose.” The national media will continue to Scrutinize the Dolphins but they have gradually improved every week unlike our friend Adam Gase who continues to decline every week, losing to teams who “put players at risk.”