Phins and chips

By Adam Best  |   Friday, May 11, 2007  |  Comments( 12 )

Miami Dolphins
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NFL regular-season game day in the United Kingdom will finally happen. After yesterday's announcement that tickets for the Miami Dolphins' Oct. 28 game against the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium in London will go on sale next Wednesday -- but only for the select few who registered and won a drawing -- there is no going back.

Now that the Dolphins are definitely going overseas to play the G-Men this October, here are some of the potential storylines and subplots for the big game.

London bridge to new fans?

This is not only a chance for the Dolphins to win new fans but to win a new country's worth of fans. Right now, they call soccer football over there. Sixty minutes of Ronnie Brown rumbling and Jason Taylor and Co. wreaking havoc could change all that, though. A win over one of the teams from the Big Apple would also impress our friends with the stiff upper lips.

God save the Green

If Trent Green does actually ever become the Dolphins quarterback, this could be a tough matchup. Anchored by Michael Strahan, the Giants have one of the best defensive lines in the entire NFL. If Miami's offensive line doesn't stabilize by this point, then it could be a long day for Green. The same goes for Daunte Culpepper, if he ever actually gets of his stationary bike and onto the field.

Culture shock

Most of the Dolphins' players are so young that they don't know the Houses of Parliament from Parliament-Funkadelic. What kind of effect will the long trip and sightseeing have on the team's energy and focus? Travel can be an issue within the States, so it will definitely be an issue for this game. Which team will be more prepared? It's hard to say, but Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is a no-nonsense type, so expect his boys to be prepared. Vonnie Holliday will be needed for the Dolphins, but "taking a Holiday" would be disastrous for them. The Dolphins will need to be focused, or that 10-plus-hour flight home will be excruciatingly long.

The '72 Dolphins

If Nick Buoniconti and some of the other members of the Perfect Season Crew make the trip and all of the '07 NFL teams have lost, what will they toast with? Will they trade in the bubbly for Newkie Brown? Or maybe an English Porter would be more appropriate?

Taylor-made teeth

Maybe it's a bit of a stereotype reinvigorated by the "Austin Powers" trilogy, but the British aren't exactly known for having perfectly straight, shiny-white teeth. Maybe Jason Taylor's strong play and perfect smile could spawn a dental revolution.

The matchup

In all seriousness, the Giants are a talented but beatable team. Without retired running back Tiki Barber, the offense's best player over the last several years, QB Eli Manning and the rest of the Giant offense could struggle to move the ball. That being said, this could be a heyday for the Dolphins' defensive. Taylor, Joey Porter, Zach Thomas and the rest of the defense will want to make a statement on this big of a stage. They should be able to do just that.

If the offense can move the chains and play relatively mistake-free football, the Dolphins should become the first NFL team to ever win a regular-season game outside of North America. That would make this British Invasion a very successful one for Miami.

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CommentsComments: 12  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Andy Oliver		11:35 AM
05/11/2007
What?!?! Stiff upper lips.... dodgy teeth and maybe us English will call the NFL 'football'. Not likely, seeing as our football...
No.2
Braveheart		11:40 AM
05/11/2007
Interesting article, Adam, considering I am one of the Brits you so irreverently allude to. However I am delighted to say that I...
No.3
Mike Newhouse		12:29 PM
05/11/2007
I've just about had enough of all the dumbass patronising media in Florida and the rest of the USA since the NFL announced the...
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