Don’t sweat the ‘Fins, just eat your sandwich

By Fernie Ruano Jr.

It’s Monday, and just to spit on your pastrami sandwich your favorite NFL team, the Miami Dolphins, loss another crucial end-of-November football game yesterday largely in part because their defense (What else?) could not get off the field in the fourth quarter, washing away a 28-17 lead entering the final 15 minutes of the game and a grip on a AFC playoff spot tighter than Kim Kardashian’s champagne glass holder before letting it slip away – the playoff spot, not Kim K’s ass.

A win in Denver not only would have sprung the Dolphins into the playoff vernacular at least for another week on ESPN’S “Sunday Countdown”, but made Chris Berman spin his hand a little faster and make even dumber faces at Tom Jackson whenever the conversation turned to Ryan Tannehill and Cameron Wake.

Seriously: It would have changed the national perception of the Dolphins a little bit, while guaranteeing some extra TV time for Tannehill, who in recent weeks has looked more like a keeper, including against the Broncos after a 26/36, 228-passing yards, 3-TD day. Tannehill, who threw an interception late in the fourth quarter, has managed to keep his head above water in the offense that’s been designed around him, despite his lack of arm strength and inability to throw the ball downfield. But Miami’s latest meltdown has little to do with Tannehill and plenty to do with the defense, which could not make one play – ONE PLAY – with the chips on the table.

If you’re a really optimistic fan of a team, any team, your first inclination is to believe your team – in this case the Dolphins – will overcome everything that’s stacked up in front of them. But winning four of their last five games to close out the regular season with 10 victories, which likely would still leave Miami short of a playoff spot in the clustered AFC, is a scenario even the ever-optimist can only dream of, especially when the schedule reads at Jets, Ravens, at Patriots, Vikings and Jets.  


The Dolphins are better, not just good enough to knock off any of the AFC heavyweights like the Broncos, Patriots, Steelers and Colts when it really matters.


Not yet, anyway.

MANNY PACQUIAO WINS A FIGHT: Manny Pacquiao destroyed some guy named Chris Algieri on Saturday night to retain his WBO welterweight title, although leading up to the fight you were led to believe Algieri actually had a shot of winning because Bob Arum would do anything to steal $79.95 out of your pocket. Now, Pacquiao wants to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr., even if Floyd comes up with another stipulation like wanting Pacquiao to eliminate rice from his diet regimen before signing his name on the dotted line. Both sides know what’s in it for them and will continue to play tug-of-war before a deal gets done. The only one who takes a right hook to the kidney is you, the fan, because this fight should have happened five years ago. By the way: Algieri needs to fire his trainer, if he hasn’t already.

 AL GOLDEN SMELLS: How should a trending upward-college football team respond after coming thisclose to knocking off the defending national champions? Certainly, not the way the Miami Hurricanes responded against Virginia on Saturday night. Miami was never in the game, despite entering with plenty to play for. And that’s a reflection on their head coach; a bad reflection. Brad Kayaa’s maturation is a nice bone, but what else can be taken away from a sub .500 season when a boatload of your juniors and seniors are departing after this season? Miami’s climb back to national prominence next year, or any year in the immediate future, isn't a guarantee.

STOP STARING: So I am fit, have no hair, mind to myself and like to smile. Does that give people the right to stare at me wherever I go? Note: I’m just a regular guy, so walk up and say “hi” whenever you see me in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. Just act normal and don’t say stupid shit like “I have a French boyfriend.” I might even shake your hand or something; seriously.

Do you want to know more about this 305-reeking, beach-bumming, Cuban food-obsessed dude? Well, then.. You can connect with Fernie @wordbyfernie (Twitter) and Fernie Ruano (Facebook) and visit http://www.latinbeatsvibe.blogspot.com. Who knows? If he really likes you, he might even give you his email.