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My apolgies for the lack of chatter the past week, with work and family stuff, the rest of my time has been spent down in the Gp bunker in Fortress Flesfader.  As would the Salmons, i did appreciate all the well wishes for the big game.

I would most importantly like to congratulate Team Salmon on a magnificent season, where they showed tremendous grit and steel to knock off some top drawer coaches and teams to get to the Superbowl.  I wouldn't expect anything different from a Salon led team, that they were playing best their football when it mattered most. The biggest compliment i can give Greg and Jan, is that i spent countless hours on this game. I changed my offensive gameplan countless times, not really sure what to expect from Jan's defence. I had a gameplan in mind if i got this far, but that was thrown out the window when the cards powered their way to the SB.  i just really was not sure what to expect, in the end i stayed true to waht got me there with a few twists. The Cards defence played brilliantly, holding the Fins to only one TD.  While they bent they seldom break, and it is a great credit to Jan that she orchestrated a defensive unit that only surrendered 2 Td's in the 4 playoff games, a superb achievement in the context of the teams faced.

Greg's offence was equally a headache, it too took me many hours to come up with a scheme that could contain the Redbirds. Probably playing Greg so many times, had me trying to guess the unexpected, i find him as tough an opponent as any. Thankfully the Dolphin defence played arguably their best of the season to hold the Arizona offence in check, much to my relief.

Overall, it was a tough take no prisoners game, which most thought would be the stroy of the game. The Cardinal defence came up with two early turnovers, that their offence cashed in on.  At the end of the first stanza it was 10-0 Arizona, and i had the distinct feeling that it was just going to be one of those days. The Dolphins nerves on the field were matched by their coach on the sidelines. lol

The second quarter saw the Fins settle into their rythmn, the defence doing a good job to keep the Cards' offence in check.  But Miami's offence was unable to take full advantage of their opportunties, as Arizona met every challenge in the redzone to limit the damage to 3 FG's.  Arizona 10-9 at the main break.

The third was an armwrestle and soon developed into a field position battle. A poor punt set up great position for Miami, but once again the courageous Cardinals held strong to force KK Olindo Mare to his 4th FG. Late in the third, one play turned the game on its head, when Miami QB Duante Culpepper hooked up for a 48yd pass to WR Chambers, that 3 plays led to Miami's first TD. End of the third, saw Miami lead 19-10.

The dolphins defence stood up strongly in the last to force a Redbird punt, and the Miami offence moved it deep in to Card inal territory. Qb Culpepper went deep to chambers again only for FS Adrian Wilson to take a soaring leap to pick off the throw just 4 yds from the endzone.  It was the reprieve Arizona needed. Qb Kurt Warner went straight after the Miami jugular, and launched a 22yd missile to WR Anquan Boldin, who slid out of the Jamar Fletcher tackle, gained another 11 yds before FS Jason Allen launched a game breaking tackle forcing a fumble and Yeremiah Bell recovered. Miami went into milking the clock and did so successfully before the Cards held strong in the redzone once again, limiting it to a Mare 5th FG.  Kurt Warner refused to lay down in the two minute warning, leading his gutsy team down the field to only be denied another score as time finally ran out.  This set off wild celebrations for the Dolphins, achieving the difficult task of defending their crown.  Miami HB Ricky Williams, probably the leading candidate to be the game MVP, announced his retirment from the game, at the peak of his powers.  The old warhorse will be desperately missed come next season.

Its probably a forlorn hope, but I sincerely hope Team Salmon changes their mind on leaving mid next season.  Their departure will be deeply missed, they bring something different to the game. Jan definately seems to going from strength to strength, its sad to see her leave after delivering some impressive efforts.

All the best for the new season guys, and my sincere thanks to all for making the league what it is.  That is especially so to Sam with the website and keeping the banter up, especially so considering his crazy schedule.

cheers
Fles

Well done to both teams for an outstanding season. Miami losing just one game all season, and the Cardinals for turning around a losing tradition and making it to the bowl game. Even though the Cards did not win they did themselves and the NFC proud by pushing the Dolphins all the way.

Yet again Dave shows the Dolphins as being the force in the GB. With the exception of one hiccup in week 1 this season they have been brilliant and deserving champions. I also hope that this close call in the bowl game will convince the Salmons to stay on.

With the likes of Arno, Flesfader Jnr and Goz joining the GB things look good for next season.

Now there are a trio of excellent coaches in the AFC with the likes of Arno, Dave and Goz. Unfortunately Jason is leaving the Chiefs (hopefully to return soon enough).

The NFC has Arden, Williams, the Salmons (don't leave!), Tom Flesfader and myself to battle next season.

Been a while since so many teams have had such high calibre coaching so should be real interesting next season.

Let's just hope that someone can finally knock the Dolphins off the top. I'm just hoping it could be my Cowboys but with the coachs on board now, it could be anyone.

A fine display of power running/T.O.P & a controled deep passing game by the 'fins............congrats to David on a fine win & season........comiserations to both Salmons on a gutys display (had David a bit shook at the half I would say !)

 

have only read the game only on gpvcon so far and it was a great read am proud of how the cardinals managed to stay with the dolphins for so long and stay in the game for a while was also proud of how well jans defence played but a bit bemused at how the SL was largley ineffective for both teams i put a lot of emphasis (as i did against the cowboys in the nfc game) on the SC with a an OPS of 7/5 and double bonused OQB and hoped for it to beat a blitzing D

wile also doing a very un greg salmon thing in hoping for some DP during the game with 5/3 OPL

as i have said earlier in another part of the forum i play the game to suit my team as opposed to having a personal style (don shula used to do this as he loved the running game but with the addition of dan marino.....well you're not just going to leave him there handing the ball off are you)
anyway congratulations dave a well deserved win and as for re newing after the credits run out i would love to but it would mean having to find more time in the day it's not that i want to leave so much just the old too many teams thing i'm afraid and the decision has been made and whether we lost the wilcard or won the bowl or losing the bowl (as happened)would have had no bearing on that decision good luck to all and i'm still around for 1/2 of next season anyway

I found your offensive tactics fascinating Greg. Your passing tactics did surprise me a little, especially the 16 SC's. Surprisingly, despite the BZ in particular coming up a lot as my main play during the season, we are not a big blitz team contrary to popular opinion (thus MD played a large containment role).   Your SC tactic did okay vs BZ, 6/6 for 29yds, but the other 10 SC's were up vs were against more passive pass defences like MD, RD, ZS, GL and to a lesser degree FD and WC.  My near maximum keys probably helped too.  I think i got plain lucky with the SL's, as IIRC you only had one vs a RD all the rest were into secondary's prepared for the pass and by the KB for a sack, but no doubt the 7 keys played a role there too. My main defensive attack was on your run and then  force you to make big plays in the air. I had noticed in your playoff games how much your run offence had stood up and helped wear teams down, definately didn't want that happen although Jan's magnificent offence made us earn every point. Definately an interesting game of cat and mouse between two old foes.  

--Last edited by Fles on 2007-02-06 01:16:26 --