A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

It has been a while since I have been on here, and even longer since I have played HC 09. But with the start of the new football season I decided to bring the game out of retirement and see what I could do with the Dolphins. I selected them because of their record and it seemed like quite a few people had used them in the past so I wanted to see how I could do.

I will admit that I am buying Special Skills, which I normally dont do and I have the English Path, which I know is loaded, but I have some guidelines in place.

I went 8-8 in the first season (I simmed the games) and fired about half of the coaching staff. From this point on, I can only replace 1 coach a year (unless someone resigns). I will decide which games I will actually play during the season and sim the rest. I will not use any Individual Workouts. I will only sign 1 FA above 85, however I will sign back-ups as needed.

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

Position Philosophies
QB: Field General
RB: Balanced
FB: Blocking (may change this year due to more FB passes in pb)
WR: Tall/Redzone Threat
TE: Balanced
O-Line: Balanced
DT: Balanced
DE: Prototype
LBs: Prototype
CB: Prototype
FS: Centerfield
SS: Smart/Productive
Kicker/Punter: Balanced

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

COACHES

HC McShmee (17)
OC Chudzinski (59)
DC Pasqualoni (22)
ST Bonameco (58)
QB Musgrave (35)
RB Sanders (41)
WR Johnson (50)
OL Cobble (35)
LB Katcavage (40)
DB Bowles (42)
DL Quinn (16)
GM Darnell (55)
TR Wyman (99)

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

SCHEDULE

WK 1: Texans; W 42-38 (played)
WK 2: @ Titans; W 21-17 (played)
WK 3: @ Colts; L 21-24 (simmed)
WK 4: Panthers; W 42-7 (played)
WK 5: Bye
WK 6: Jets, W 23-14 (simmed)
WK 7: @ Patriots; L 28-31 (simmed)
WK 8: @ Falcons; W 34-3 (played)
WK 9: Broncos
WK 10: Patriots
WK 11: @ Jets
WK 12: Jaguars
WK 13: @ Bills
WK 14: @ Bengals
WK 15: Buccaneers
WK 16: Bills
WK 17: @ Saints

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

FREE AGENT UPDATE

QB Potts: 860 k/2 yrs, no bonus
HB Rice: will not re-sign
FB Grigsby: 800k/2 yrs, no bonus
WR Perry: 800 k/2 yrs, no bonus
LG Tucker: 1.82 m/3 yrs, no bonus
RT Petitti: not re-signed yet
LE Roth: will not re-sign
RE Page: 620 k/2 yrs, no bonus
DT Miles: will not re-sign
MLB Guy: Will not re-sign
OLB Wright: 1.62 m/2 yrs, no bonus
CB W Allen: will not re-sign
CB Nash: will not re-sign
SS Horton: will not -resign
K Felly: 2.58 m/2 yrs, no bonus

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

ROSTER BEFORE RE-SIGNING PLAYERS

POS	Name	OVR	POT	Yrs Left	Age	Cap Hit
QB	Woodson	82	92	2	24	470 k
QB	Beck	69	85	2	28	1.0 m
QB	Potts	57	73	1	24	290 k
RB	James	84	95	3	23	200 k
RB	Brown	86	87	2	25	6.7 m
RB	Rice	79	87	1	24	900 k
FB	Mauia	83	88	2	25	400 k
FB	Grigsby	72	74	1	25	290 k
WR	Bellows	86	94	3	24	480 k
WR	Jackson	82	88	3	24	510 k
WR	Burton	79	83	2	24	290 k
WR	Perry	73	75	1	24	290 k
WR/KR	Guinn	66	78	4	24	3.8 m
TE	Goldman	80	91	3	23	550 k
TE	Crockett	76	89	2	23	360 k
LT	Long	93	96	4	25	9.6 m
LT	Essex	76	76	2	25	670 k
LG	Scott	87	87	3	28	3.1 m
LG	Tucker	75	75	1	27	300 k
C	Satele	90	92	2	23	700 k
C	Mormino	78	82	2	24	400 k
RG	Noll	87	88	3	24	4.2 m
RG	Pennington	74	75	1	25	290 k
RT	Greco	84	85	3	24	590 k
RT	Petitti	76	76	1	27	900 k
LE	Bake	81	86	2	24	240 k
LE	Roth	80	81	1	25	660 k
RE	Adiamiri	84	87	2	22	210 k
RE	Page	77	78	1	26	300 k
DT	Lopez	87	93	3	23	350 k
DT	Moore	86	91	2	24	500 k
DT	Miles	75	81	1	24	290 k
DT	Holliday	75	75	2	31	4.7 m
LOLB	Porter	90	90	4	32	5.1 m
LOLB	Knox	85	88	3	24	320 k
MLB	Simms	85	89	4	23	610 k
MLB	Guy	85	89	1	24	290 k
MLB	Carpenter	81	84	2	26	1.0 m
MLB	Wilhelm	79	80	3	27	3.0 m
ROLB	Crowder	85	86	5	24	3.1 m
ROLB	Wright	79	82	1	24	600 k
CB	Gamble	85	86	4	26	1.7 m
CB	W Allen	83	83	1	31	3.1 m
CB	J Allen	80	85	3	26	1.9 m
CB	Pryor	78	85	2	22	750 k
CB	Nash	78	84	1	24	290 k
FS	Justin	82	88	3	24	200 k
FS	Wilson	82	82	3	25	2.3 m
SS	Steltz	83	87	2	24	500 k
SS	Horton	71	78	1	24	390 k
K	Feely	85	85	1	33	900 k
P	Fields	82	85	2	25	350 k

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

Update on Free Agency:

RB Rice demands 14.54 m/6 yrs, 2.5 m bonus to 18.54 m/5.5 m bonus
DE Roth demands 4.36 m/3 yrs, 1.0 m bonus to 6.36 m/2.5 m bonus
DT Miles demands 12.64 m/6 yrs, 2.0 m bonus to 13.64 m/5.0 bonus
MLB Guy refuses to return to contract talks
CB W Allen demands 4.82 m/2 yrs, 500 k bonus to 5.8 m/1.0 m bonus
CB Nash demands 11.2 m/6 yrs, 2.0 m bonus to 13.2 m/3.5 m bonus
SS Horton refuses to return to contract talks

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 9
AFC East
Patriots: 8-0
Dolphins: 6-2
Bills: 4-4
Jets: 3-5

AFC West
Broncos: 6-2
Chargers: 4-4
Raiders: 3-5
Chiefs: 2-6

AFC North
Steelers: 6-2
Browns: 2-6
Bengals: 1-7
Ravens: 1-7

AFC South
Colts: 6-2
Texans: 6-3
Titans: 4-4
Jaguars: 4-4

NFC East
Giants: 7-1
Cowboys: 6-3
Eagles: 3-5
Redskins: 3-5

NFC West
Seahawks: 5-3
49ers: 3-5
Rams: 3-5
Cardinals: 3-5

NFC North
Bears: 6-2
Packers: 5-3
Lions: 4-4
Vikings: 4-5

NFC South
Buccaneers: 5-3
Saints: 4-4
Panthers: 4-4
Falcons: 1-7

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

I simmed the next 2 games since I didnt think I had a chance winning them and got suprised both times. We beat the Broncos 33-14 and the following week defeated the Patriots 20-17. This improved my record to 7-2. I had promised to make the playoffs so things are looking great so far. I will play the next 3 games, Jets, Jaguars and Bills and then decide from there.

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

Giants Stadium, New Jersey: The visitng Miami Dolphins continue to amaze the football pundits with their continued success. This week the host New York Jets experienced the new and improved Dolphins as the visitors won 27-7.
The Dolphins controlled both sides of the ball as rookie RB James posted a 116 yard effort on 18 carries, getting 2 TDs. QB Woodson did a good job running the offense, eating up over 36 minutes with the ball control offense the Dolphins use.
The Miami defense aslo showed their muscle as they held the Jets in check, except for a late 46 yard TD pass to Wide Out Coles. They also sacked Jets QB 4 times, had 2 forced fumbles and and INT.
The Special Teams were the only area of concern for the Dolphins as recently re-signed kicker Feely missed an XP and a 37 yard FG attempt. KR Guinn made up for those gaffs by returning a 2nd Quarter punt 74 yards for a TD.
The Dolphins host cross state rivals Jacksonville for a Monday night game next week.
Did Not Start (Injured): Dolphins: OLB Crowder (84); Jets: WR Hillard (76), HB Jones (82), DT Jenkins (82)
GAME STATS
Dolphins
Woodson: 14/18, 196 yards, INT, 2 sacks
James: 18 carries, 116 yrds, 2 TDs
Rice: 10-26
Mauia: 1-2, TD
Bellows: 5 catches, 61 yrds
Jackson: 3-57
Burton: 3-45
James: 2-26
Rice: 1-7
TFL: 14
Sacks: Simms: 2; Gamble, Abiamiri: 1
INT: Steltz

Jets
Clemens: 10/16, 167 yrds, TD/INT, 4 sacks
Fulcher: 19 carries, 43 yrds, fumble
Coles: 4 catches, 77 yrds, TD
Griffith: 3-59
Stokley: 1-16
Davis: 1-3
Fulcher: 1-2

[ases84]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

do you have "NFL Head Coach 09" for PC ???

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

No, I play on the 360.

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

Played the Jaguars game and am too frustrated to even do a write up. The computer was determined I would not win this game, let alone be competetive in it. I lost 24-14. I was able to tie it up at 14, but then gave up a 99 yard kick-off return on the ensuing kick-off. WR Burrows had 2 drops...just par for the course in this game.

GAME STATS
Dolphins
Woodson: 10-25, 132 yards, 2 INTs, 5 sacks
James: 8 carries, 19 yards, TD, fumble
Rice: 9-11
INT: Bake, 71 yrds for TD, Steltz
Sacks: Porter, Simms

Jaguars
Garrard: 13-21, 130 yrds, TD, 2 INTs
Jones-Drew: 24 carries, 68 yards

The Dolphins fell to 8-3 with the loss and will travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills in a conference showdwon next week.

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

(Buffalo NY) The frustration from last week's lose was apparant as the Miami Dolphins pounded a banged up Bills team for a 48-17 win. The Bills were without starting QB Edwards, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd string DT, and 2 of their starting LBs. The Dolphins took advantage of this decimated defense to rush for over 200 yards. The Bills also had injuries on the offensive line which were exploited by the Dolphins.
The Dolphins held the Bills to less than 100 yards in offense during the first half as RB Ray Rice scored on a 6 yard run in the 1st Quarter and a 5 yard run along with a 9 yard pass in the 2nd to give the Dolphins a 21-0 lead at the break.
The Bills took the opening kick of the 2nd half to set up their 1st score, a 22 yard FG By Serna to cut the lead to 21-3. The Dolphins responded with a 29 yard FG of their own to end the quarter with the score 24-3.
Then the scoring frenzy started. The Bills put together an impressive drive that was capped by RB Lynch bursting through an opening on the left side for a 13 yard TD run, cutting the Dolphins lead to 24-10. The Dolphins showed the strength of the 2 RB rotation they have been using when Rookie RB James broke a run to the outside for a 71 yard TD score, taking the lead up to 31-10. On the ensuing Bills drive, SS Steltz showed why he is on the Pro-Bowl voting list as he took a INT 47 yards for a TD extending the Dolphins lead to 38-10. But the Bills responded as Lynch broke a huge run on the 2nd play of the next drive and scampered for a 71 yard TD taking the score to 38-17. Dolphins kicker Feely added a 32 yard FG to take the score to 41-17. However the Bills were not done yet. They were putting together a nice drive in the waning seconds of the game that was cut short by FS Justin's INT that was returned 79 yards for the final score of the game, 48-17.
This win improves the Dolphins to 9-3 on the year and keeps them on pace to make the playoffs, at least as a wildcard. They travel to take on the Bengals next week. RB Ray Rice was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week and FS Prince Justin was named Defensive Player of the Week.
GAME STATS
Dolphins
Woodson: 15/20, 184 yards, TD, INT, 1 sack
Rice: 17 carries, 75 yards, 2 TDs
James: 17-137, TD, Fumble
Brown: 3-9
Jackson: 4 catches, 56 yards
Bellows: 4-65
Goldman: 2-17
Mauia: 2-9
Burton: 1-19
Perry: 1-9
Rice: 1-9, TD
TFL: 12
Sacks: Bake, W. Allen, Knox, Guy, Simms, Carpenter
INT: Justin-2, Steltz
Bills
O'Connell: 15-27, 222 yards, 3 INTs
Lynch: 14-92, 2 TDs
Troupe: 6 catches, 90 yards
Evans: 4-57
Forbis: 3-40
Mcfadden: 1-3
Chandler: 1-22

[BrnwsBucksFanNC]

Re: A Return to Greatness: The Re-Birth of the Dolphins (HC 09)

(Cincinnati OH) Coach McShmee of the Miami Dolphins admitted that he was very concerned about this game. "The Bengals were 4-8 coming in to this game, but they are a very talented team. I was concerned that my young players would look at the record and not the team." But even though Carson Palmer threw for over 300 yards, the Dolphins defense never let him find the end zone.
The opening drive was very productive for the Bengals as Palmer marched them down the field to face a first and goal from the 7. The Dolphins defense held though and forced the Bengals to settle for a 25 yard FG. The Dolphins responded with a 6 yard TD pass to TE Goldman on the first play of the 2nd Quarter.
The Bengals put together 2 more impressive drives that stalled in the red zone as they settled for 35 and 21 yard FGs, the last one with 1:20 left in the 1st half. The Dolphins showed they had been practicing their own 2 minute drill as Woodson orchestrated a 76 yard drive that let RB Rice score on a 4 yard rush to the outside with 18 seconds left in the half. The score stood at 14-9 at the half.
The Dolphins took the opening kick of the 2nd half the length of the field as RB Ray Rice once again scored on the ground, this time on a 1 yard rush. This was the end of the offensive scoring in the game as it turned into a defensive struggle. Dolphins CB Will Allen finished the scoring though as he scooped up a Carson Palmer fumble and took it 47 yards for a TD, giving the Dolphins a 28-9 victory.
The Dolphins improved to 10-3, but are still in 2nd place in the division behind the 12-1 Patriots. The Dolphins return home for a 2 game stretch as they host the Buccaneers, followed by the Bills, before they finish the regular season in New Orleans.
GAME STATS
Dolphins
Woodson: 13/20, 209 yards, TD, 1 sack
James: 12 carries, 58 yards
Rice: 11-39, 2 TDs
Bellows: 4 catches, 59 yards
Jackson: 4-65
Goldman: 3-33, TD
Burton: 2-25, 2 drops
TFL: 18
Sacks: Bake-2, Knox-2, Moore-1, Lopez-1, Simms-1
FF: Lopez, Guy
INT: W Allen (returned for TD)
Bengals
Palmer: 18/22, 326 yards
R Johnson: 14 carries, 25 yards (19 on 1 carry)
Gado: 6 carries, 0 yards
Palmer: 2-(-10)
Henderson: 7 catches, 146 yards
Page: 5-93
Houshmandzadeh: 5-67
J Johnson: 1-20