...Now everybody's buddy JokersWild is no longer eligible to appear on the most commented blog section? This is absolutely absurd! What is the criteria for this? I mean, I got a blog taken down, I didn't even bitch about it...in fact, it was other bloggers who made the point that it was a bitch move by Fox, but to ban a guy who is one of the few who tries to keep these blogs civil...the lovable voice of reason, JokersWild from the most commented section is fucking bullshit.

As much as I try to get on that list to get my stuff read, I say DO NOT PUT MY BLOG THERE ANYMORE, unless you reinstate Jokerswild and Gambitxxx, and anyone else whom has been a regular, productive contributor in this community as being eligible to be on that list if they meet the criteria.

To be in the most commented is SUPPOSED to have your blog displayed amongst the best bloggers in the community. I find it asinine and ridiculous that without a direct warning or explanation, this privilege is taken from bloggers. If you feel the need to gag someone, by all means, go ahead...but if someone's account is active, they should have all teh rights and abilities every other goddamn blogger in this community has.

I don't know if anyone else would join me in this sentiment, and surprise surprise, I DONT GIVE A DAMN! Whoever the policing blogger around here is, I say take away my privilege to be on the most popular section and reinstate theirs.

            My boys are back! Aqua and Orange are once again fashionable, though I've worn my colors proud all along. Now understandably, after going 7-27 over the 34 games preceding this little spurt of success, there is a little skepticism amongst football fans-heck even some Dolphins fans. Well I am here to tell you that this team is for real, and will be a legitimate contender for the remainder of the season.

            First off I want to point out that I have not been biased in my analysis of the Phins since the beginning. I said they would lose to the Jets, I said we didn't match up well against Arizona, and I also said we'd beat New England and San Diego (Bolt Backer among others said there was no chance). Now, let's get to the task at hand, showing you why this team is no farce.

Reason 1: Playing intelligent, disciplined football. An unfortunate characteristic of Dolphins football over the past few years has been a severe lack of discipline, a plethora of asinine decisions, and an overall lack of awareness on the field. The Sparano coached version has shown a drastic improvement in every facet relating to discipline and awareness. Consider the following...in weeks 1 and 2, we committed 10 penalties for a total of 101 yards, and over the last two weeks there were only 6 penalties for 40 yards. Even further, the timing and significance of the penalties should be noted. During the first two weeks there were penalties that directly led to either the negation of a great play by the Phins, or the negation of a poor play by the opposition. One in particular that comes to mind was against the Cardinals when we negated a missed FG that eventually became a touchdown.

Reason 2: Better in the trenches. I have always said, the trenches is where football games are won. Both the offensive and defensive lines are playing outstanding football right now. In games one and two, the offensive line allowed 6 sacks, while only allowing 1 over the past two games. As for the defensive line, Joey Porter is tied for 3rd in the NFL in sacks with 5.5-and altogether the defensive line has collected 12 sacks through 4 games (9th in the NFL).

Reason 3: Numbers Don't Lie. For those yelling 'Pretender' at my Phins, consider that Miami is the only AFC team that ranks in the top-10 in both total offense (10th) AND total defense (8th). Even further, they are just one of 3 teams who could make that claim with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles being the others. If you also take into consideration that they climbed to these rankings after a mediocre week 1, and an abysmal week 3, the Phins have clearly been one of the best teams of the past couple of weeks.

Reason 4: Chad Pennington. Yes, that  is right, the same reason that most people are citing as the Dolphins' weakest link, is the reason I think the Phins are a contender. His arm may be weak, but he IS the most accurate QB of all time, and he is a superb game manager. If you have followed his career, the amount of 'dumb' throws is so miniscule. His interceptions ARE usually an issue of his throwing arm, but the current offense seems to be molded around him. Miami has not tried anything he cannot do, and that has allowed him to play with confidence. So far he has the second highest passer rating of his career (93.5) and has only thrown 1 INT, which was a desperation throw in the back of the endzone in week 1. Additionally, over the past two games, Chad has hit 8 and 7 different receivers respectively. When you establish all of your weapons, regardless of how good they are...it keeps a defense honest, Chad has done that. Just for fun, consider the following fun observation-even years have been Chad's best...huh? Yes, Chad Pennington led the Jets to the playoffs 3 times during his time as the starting QB there-2002, 2004, and 2006. Those three years also coincide with his best statistical years in terms of yards, completion %, touchdowns, and passer rating. It's 2008, and he's on a similar pace...

 Reason 5: Ronnie Brown. He may have gotten off to a rather slow start, but since being inserted in the starting lineup, he has been outstanding. The guy has every tool you look for in a running back; speed, burst, patience, balance, and vision. Not to mention he protects the football, Brown has lost just 6 fumbles in 625 career carries, thats 1 every 104 carries. He also has a career yards per carry of 4.5 yards.  On top of it all, he is a leader and a great teammate. He has handled the incorporation of Ricky Williams, and even him being the starter initially, with great class and dignity. Also, for those who failed to notice it...Cromartie had a borderlin dirty hit early in the game on our TE Martin, and even threw him back after hitting him. Well late in the game, Ronnie got to the edge and it was him and Cromartie alone in the open field...Ronnie pointed at him, called him out, and instead of running out of bounds, lowered the absolute BOOM on him. Now that is a teammate...I nearly jumped through the roof.

Reason 6: Schedule. Looking down the line, I want to address both the short and long terms. First, in the short term, Miami gets to travel to Houston to play a shell-shocked Houston Texans team. Now the Phins cannot be fooled by the record, and normally I'd be concerned with it being a trap game, but everything about this new regime gives me confidence that a let-down will be avoided. Then, Miami gets to play host to two big time AFC opponents. If Miami takes care of business in Houston, you can bet on the fact that the next two weeks will feature Miami crowds pushing 80,000, and Dolphin Stadium will once again be a home-field advantage. Now considering the long term, 3 of Miami's 6 road games are against teams that currently have only 1 win between them (KC, St. Louis, and Houston). Additionally, 3 of their 6 home games are against the likes of San Francisco, Seattle, and Oakland. Now when you take into account that these past two wins came against the two participants from last year's AFC Championship game, you have to consider a 7-5 or 8-4 finish as plausible. I say they could very well go 3-3 in their remaining road games, and 5-1 at home. If they can do that, they will be a playoff team. At the very least you'd have to admit they will be in contention.

            Really, I can go on for days with reasons, like how the coaching staff has made adjustments and improved game planning from week to week, or how we may have earned a critical head-to-head tiebreaker against the Chargers who may very well be a team the Phins battle with for a wild card spot. Most of all though, I just want to say, the attitude and demeanor is different-as a fan, you just know. As a fan you can put your finger on the moment when your team turned around, and my finger is pointing to these past 3 weeks. I have waited patiently and loyally for signs of life in this franchise, and the latest EKG checked out clean. As years of futility accumulate, so do the skeptics...as for you Phin 'fan' skeptics...there's no room on the bandwagon for you...you called me names, and overly optimistic before the season, so I tell you, go root for the Bungles.

            I must apologize profusely to any and everyone who wasted any time watching the charade that was put on by EliteXC on CBS Saturday night. I have not read other editorials on the event, but if nobody else wants to say it, I will-the Kimbo fight was a blatant fix. Look, I've seen too many 'Behind the WWF' shows to be fooled, so for those who may have overlooked the obvious signs, let me break it down.

            First, let's start with the WHY? As many of you know, I have participated in the past two media conference calls meant to promote Kimbo's fights. The biggest observation I made was that Kimbo is not very skilled at self-promotion. Even as a street fighter, it was not him who posted the videos up on YouTube, he has always just gone out and fought. So you see, the heads of EliteXC promotions (Gary Shaw and co.) realized that Kimbo would not exactly embrace the role of a-hole self-promoter-most of his answers during conference calls were one liners, usually consisting of 5-8 words max. In fact, when I asked him how he addressed issues of conditioning in training for this fight, he replied simply with "Stopped eatin' Snickers." The fact was that Kimbo was not at all comfortable in the spotlight; every time asked about an opponent he responded with the utmost respect, and that was not what they wanted.

            Next, let's think about how they set it up. This one's no mystery; the card was originally supposed to be a fight between Kimbo and Ken Shamrock. As expected, in leading up to this fight, Shamrock was a hype machine, straight from his days in the WWF. During the conference call he did everything from tell me to shut my mouth to saying he trained to fight Kimbo by beating up 'thugs' from the 'corner store.' Of course, the intention was never for Shamrock to fight Kimbo-Ken was simply paid to play the role Kimbo has not been able to fill. Then, on fight night, Ken is a sudden late scratch from the bout, REALLY?!

            Now, to the fight. So suddenly we have Kimbo facing some mystery fighter...the Karate Kid. The first thing I have to say about this is, even if all of this was legit, what kind of organization forces a fighter to fight someone they didn't even have a chance to train for? That alone erases any semblance of credibility that EliteXC may have had, in my opinion. That aside, the actual 'fight' was the worst display of acting I have ever seen.

            To begin with, let's consider the punch that rendered Kimbo concussed and disoriented...are you kidding me? Take a look at the YouTube videos and tell me if that was conceivable. I have seen Kimbo take direct punches to the jaw...even in the famous fight he lost to Sean Gannon he ate some punches that would knock most guys out. Even further, the cut was a farce-either there was a pre-existing slice done with a razor blade (a-la-WWF[E]) or there was something on the glove. In all of his fights, Kimbo has never displayed proneness to being cut. Watch the replay closely, it was more of a push punch than anything else-as the replay continues, notice how half the punches thrown either do not land, or graze the top of Kimbo's head. Also notice how Kimbo stayed on his hands and knees while this guys throws wild, useless punches...PLEASE.

            Look, EliteXC is just cuttin' checks left and right. They cut a check to Shamrock for lending his name and jerk-off-edness to the promotion of this sham...they cut a check to Kimbo for lending his popularity to the establishment of this travesty (EliteXC)...and they cut a check to Peter Petrelli, or whatever his name is, for painting his hair and helping execute the mockery that took place Saturday. I say, they should cut all the viewers and media a check for feeding us the traveshamockery they presented as legitimate. I personally refuse to ever promote, preview, or review another EliteXC Production. You know, at first I thought Dana White was the jerk off, but in reality it was Gary Shaw and his boys all along. In all of it I have only one major regret...that I didn't tell Ken Shamrock everything I wanted to tell him...hey Ken...KISS MY ASS!

...Now ya know! Do not get it confused...make sure your remember the 'N'...EvaN may soon be the most famous Longoria on the scene. The kid became the first rookie EVER to homer in his first two playoff at-bats, as he accomplished the feat en route to a 3 for 3, 3 RBI night.

If the feat itself were not enough, consider that BOTH homeruns broke ties, and the second one put the Rays ahead for good--not to mention his RBI single was a nice insurance run for the young bullpen.

You just have to love the way these youngsters simply do not back down. How about that huge strikeout by Balfour after the idiot kicked dirt his way--absolutely loved that he struck him out and told him to sit down. That atmosphere at the Trop was absolutely electric--it rivals the playoff atmospheres of the Rally Monkey Angels of a few years ago, and every time the MInnesota Twins play a home playoff game.

Back to baseball's newest superstar; for those who do not closely follow baseball except for the playoffs, I urge you to watch this kid play. He is an all-around player. He has a cannon arm at third base, and he may very well be a career gold-glover. He made countless outstanding plays on defense throughout the season, and personally I am a defense guy. Of course we like to see homeruns, but diving catches and triple plays...I live for that.

Ladies and Gents, the Rays are the real deal. Boston has a legitimate pitching staff which will be tough for anyone to beat, but if anyone thinks the baby Rays will choke under the pressure, you can forget about it. If anyone beats them this post season it will be because they played excellent baseball--and that's how it should be come playoff time. Perhaps the Cubs should watch the game tonight on their day off, they might learn a few things from the youngsters.

        The field is set; and if the way the regular season ended, with the White Sox having to essentially play two elimination games while the world watched, and more specifically on a diving catch that was a direct product of great managing--we're in for a treat.

       Call me crazy, but before a single pitch is thrown, I must say this could very well be the best post season in recent Major League history--probably since 1980. If not the best, certainly the most intriguing. Even the casual observer would have to admit, there is plenty to watch for. In case you haven't really put it into perspective, consider all of these things:

No New York--the Mets and Yankees both missed out on the post season. More importantly though is the Yankees' absence, simply because now fans will not have to be force-fed the saturation of media coverage that surrounds their progress. Did anyone really look forward to a play by play of every A-Rod at-bat? Now, the spotlight is out there for anyone to take it.

50% Chance Of A Surprise Champ--that is correct, 4 of the 8 playoff teams have been a complete surprise (with the Brewers being the least). The White Sox were supposed to finish behind the Tigers, Indians, AND Twins; the Brewers should have never supplanted the Mets; the Dodgers were not supposed to beat out the Rockies or Diamondbacks; and the Rays were supposed to finish behind everyone. On top of it all, there is guaranteed to be a surprise team in the ALCS as the Rays and White Sox face off in the ALDS.

Cubs Finish A Regular Season--After many a late season collapse, the Cubbies finally followed through to the end. The story of stories, of course, is the 100-year drought that the franchise and its fans have endured. Whether you root against them or for them, their attempt to break 'the curse' is always entertaining. I heard Wrigley is checking ID's at the gate to make sure Bartman doesn't get in.

Races Down to the Wire--The fate of 4 teams were decided as late as possible. The Mets had a chance to clinch, and blew it on the final day against the Marlins...again. The White Sox stopped their back peddle in time to earn two must-wins and sneak back by the surging Twins to earn a spot. I have seen a 1-game playoff before, but I personally had never seen a game have to be made up so a team would have to win it and earn the right to a 1-game playoff, let alone having that team win both the make up game and the 1-game playoff! Man if I had to say all that out loud I woulda lost my breath.

Story Lines

Can Jim Thome and Ken Griffey Jr. finally get a ring? These guys have 1,152 home runs between them; they have fought through injury plagued seasons, heartbreaking post seasons, and each have played on two previous teams. Still, between them they have zero championships. Both are consummate pros, and them getting a ring is certainly something to root for.

From Curse to Dynasty? For decades upon decades, the Red Sox were the butt of many a joke--they were cursed. The most popular post season image was that of Bill Buckner letting the series roll through his legs. Now they have a chance to become the first repeat champions since the Yankees, ironic?

AL Imports, Can they keep it up? There were three major moves during the season that shaped the post season in the National League. Rich Harden to the Cubs, C.C. Sabathia to the Brewers, and Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers. I find it absurd, by the way, that none of these men will be given fair consideration for league superlatives, however I think a Series would be adequate consolation for any of them--who will it be?

What if the Brewers win without Yost? Would an email suffice? Should they give him a ring? I think it would be in poor taste if he does not receive adequate recognition, or compensation.

Possible LCS Match Ups

Brewers-Cubs: C.C. vs. Harden, wouldn't that be a nice Game 7 pitching matchup?! These two teams are division rivals, and any series between division rivals is typically as good as it gets (Sox-Yanks, Dodgers-Giants, etc.) Plus, either of these teams in the Series would be a good story.

Rays-Red Sox: Anyone remember the Coco Crisp, James Shields brawl? If there is one thing I have learned in my years of watching baseball, it is that those things do not just disappear. Now you put these two teams in a 7 game series, with a World Series berth on the line....talk about intense.

White Sox-Red Sox: Well, for one, it'd be exciting to keep Ozzie Guillen around as long as possible as that would increase the likelihood of an entertaining sound byte. Also, if you have had any conflicts about what color socks to wear each day, this series can solve that problem forever.

Possible World Series Match Ups

Rays-Brewers: What would you have said to someone who insisted that the Rays and Brewers would face off in the World Series? Well I would have probably laughed as that person would have obviously been trying to make a joke--then when I realized he was serious I would have been consumed with awkward embarrassment, only to talk about his lack of sanity with someone else.

Cubs-White Sox (The Windy Series [copyrighted]) Ozzie Guillen suffered from a mild case of penis envy a few months back when he complained about how the Cubs were always getting attention despite the fact that his team brought a title to Chicago more recently. This could make for one of the most intense atmospheres ever--yes even more than the Subway Series.

Red Sox-Dodgers (Manny Mania) How interesting would this be? Would Francona have him beaned? After the way he quit on the Sox, I wouldn't blame them--but I would still root for L.A. If Manny get the Dodgers to the Series, and doesn't win some kind of award....um....I will...blog about it!

Angels-Dodgers (Hollywood Series) People on the East Coast would probably hate this since the games would probably all start at 9 or 10 pm. Broadcasting corruption of sports aside, this would be a flashy match up. This would probably be the first time in World Series history that more stars would be in the stands than on the field.

Angels-Phillies (Blah) Spurs-Pistons anyone? Who would care outside of Philly and Anaheim?

So you see, this post season, there is no shortage of causes to pick and root for. As of now, there seems to be more uncertainty about how this playoffs will play out than I have ever seen--every team has its strengths, weaknesses, and feel-good stories...but who's will we still know about 20 years from now? Tune in to find out!