Miami Dolphin fans will have 21 opportunities to take a peek at the 2009 team. Veteran players will report for the Dolphins’ initial training camp under second-year Head Coach Tony Sparano on Saturday, August 1st. Practice sessions will open the following day, and will mark the first of 21 which are opened to Dol-Fans this summer. All practices will be held at the team’s Nova Southeastern University training facility in Davie, Fla. The last open practice for the general public is on Thursday, August 20th. Most morning sessions when the Dolphins have two practices will begin at 9:00 a.m., while afternoon workouts on those days commence primarily at 5:00 p.m. Practices that are held on days with only a single workout begin at 2:00 p.m. Admission and parking are free at all Dolphins training camp practices.

It’s time to dust off those old jerseys and make sure all of your Miami Dolphin fan gear is in order. Check your cameras and get a fresh supply of batteries and anything else your going to need while out at training camp. What to expect out at practice, you will see the pros with news cameras and the photographers running around taking lots of pictures but don’t get worried. The pros have a limited time schedule while out at practice and you will have ample time to get some great shots of your favorite team and players. The Miami Dolphins have a pro shop on the premises to get shirts, shorts and anything else you may want or desire. Don’t forget to pick up a miniature football or helmet to get an autograph for that special dol-fan in your house.

It’s really hot out at training camp because the bleachers face due east and the sun is unforgiving. Bring plenty of sunscreen and refreshments are available from the snack bar on the premises. The players have two off days, Aug. 9 and Aug. 18. Seating at the team’s facility will be available for the first 2,000 fans in the bleachers, located on the west side of the practice facility. Parking is available at the Nova Southeastern University Medical School garage, located near the intersection of University Drive and S.W. 30th Street, between Griffin Road and I-595. Access to this garage is off University Drive and S.W. 30th Street. Practice times are subject to change, and the most updated information can be obtained by calling the Dolphins practice hotline at (954) 452-7004. Go Dolphins...

Staff Columnist, The Dolfanatic

  In an absolutely genius marketing campaign the Miami Dolphins organization in an effort to boost season ticket sales got extremely creative. Owner Stephen M. Ross said he was going to change things around here and he really wanted to enhance the fan experience. After the announcement of Dolphins Stadium becoming LandShark Stadium many potential season ticket holders began receiving the new marketing campaign in their mailboxes and through email. I received my first communication via regular mail and the multi colored marketing information had my last name super imposed on a jersey in the Miami Dolphins locker room. The caption said, “The Dolphins most important singing in 2009 is you”. I signed into the web address provided and was completely overwhelmed with excitement.

New Owner, Stephen M. Ross has hit the nail on the head because there is definitely a lot of excitement around the new team and this new marketing campaign is just incredible. Information printed in local sports media has advised season ticket sales are a head of schedule and this campaign was created to do just that. When you initially sign onto mydolphinslive.com it takes a little while to load but if your patient you will be in for a special treat. There are snippets of the South Florida media talking about the team and their specific interest in you. There are interviews with different players and coach Tony Sparano himself. The Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross sits across from you and hands you a contract to sign and then you are the center of attention driven to Landshark Stadium to meet your fans and your name is super imposed on everything.

What a way to make you feel special and a valued Miami Dolphins fan. After last years turnaround and the additions made through the 2009 NFL Draft you have to be excited about the upcoming season and your new owner’s commitment to boost the fan experience in and around Landshark Stadium. In this tough economy its really a challenge to get people to make a commitment to something like season tickets when other critical budgeting factors are affecting our lives. I guarantee if you take a moment to visit the Miami Dolphins website and take your own personalized fan experience, you won’t be disappointed. Surprise the dolphin fan in your family, If you can’t afford a commitment to a full season ticket package the Miami Dolphins have created mini season ticket packages that might be just right for you and your budget. Go Dolphins…

Staff Columnist, The Dolfanatic

  The Miami Dolphins hosted their annual awards banquet at Joe’s Stone Crab on Friday, June 5th 2009. Many people will say what they want but Joey Porter’s comments just stated the fact, “The AFC East runs through Miami”. I don’t know if anyone remembers but we did win the division last year and until the 2009 campaign is complete, We are the AFC East Division Champions. I realize with the new season upon us the slate gets wiped clean and everyone starts the season with zeros in the win and loss column. We all know you can’t live on your laurels, just because we won the division last year doesn’t mean we have any claim to the 2009 division title. I really like the positive attitude this team has and we haven’t had a little swagger around here in a long time. Joey can talk the talk but in this case, I don’t see anything wrong with his comments.

The Miami Dolphins didn’t start this conversation it was the media and the other teams in the AFC East who started it. It is true all the other teams in the AFC East have improved but the Dolphins were not absent from the draft. We also got bigger, stronger and faster and I like our chances to defend the AFC East title. The local media along with the national media are not giving Miami a chance. Everyone in the national media seem to be euphoric about the return of Tom Brady and claim New England is he team to beat. A local sports reporter asked Channing Crowder what he thought about new Jets coach Rex Ryan’s comments about getting to meet the president in the next couple of years after winning the title. Channing responded by saying he’s never played a football game in June, so congratulations to him he’s the OTA Super Bowl Champion.

There was also a comment made by the Buffalo Bills head coach several weeks back but I could not find the article to accurately quote him. The fact of the matter is no one respects us and that includes our local sports reporters who have also anointed Tom Brady the King in the AFC East. The fans should rent a bus and send the sports beat writers from the Hearld, Sentinel and you can include those guys from WQAM and drop them all off somewhere up in the northeast. They can all disrespect us but the fact remains, we are the AFC East Champions. I like our position as the underdog and I kind of like the fact we are be disrespected so early before the season. The predators of the gridiron really didn’t need any motivation but thanks for the kick in the pants. What are you going to do when the predators of the gridiron zero in on you. Go Dolphins…

Staff Columnist, The Dolfanatic

  There are all kinds of rumor and speculation around which teams had silent deals with Jason Taylor should the Dolphins have balked on the decision to bring him back into the fold. I really like Jason Taylor and after Dan Marino left the team, he became my favorite player on the Dolphins. Unfortunately, I must admit my admiration for Jason Taylor was a little tarnished to say the least after the way his last season here ended. I understand when a player has an injury some choose to work through it and others take a more conservative approach whether it be an economic decision or a health and longevity situation. The information we were getting from local sports venues here in South Florida talked about Jason Taylor having some type of ankle sprain. The injury prevented Jason Taylor from participating in the Pro Bowl and representing the Miami Dolphins and the fans who voted him into the Pro Bowl.

I may not have all the facts here but if Jason Taylor was injured and could not represent the team in the Pro Bowl. Why was he leaping in the endzone catching passes from Dan Marino in the last event held at the Orange Bowl? Then we all learned Jason Taylor would be Dancing with the Stars, which we all know he made it through the entire competition and lost in the finals. The truth of the matter is Jason Taylor may have been injured or maybe he was embarrassed to represent the team after the 1-15 losing season. Again these are my feelings based on information which may or may not reflect all the facts in this particular situation. I just wanted to convey my feeling at the time Jason Taylor completed his last season with the Miami Dolphins. I am extremely happy that Jason is back with the team and look forward to him teaming up with Channing Crowder and Joey Porter as the predators of the gridiron seek out opposing quarterbacks.

Jason Taylor returns home to play in a stadium fittingly named for the predators of the gridiron and their 3-4 defense. If Jason Taylor is healthy and able to capitalize on the opportunities working with Channing Crowder and Joey Porter, Landshark Stadium will have a defensive front who just might live up to the expectations of the up coming season. The Marketing machine within the Miami Dolphins organization will have a field day. I can visualize the posters and banners from the one hundred to the four hundred levels, “Landshark Stadium and the predators of the gridiron” with action photos of the anchors of our defense punishing opposing quarterbacks and stuffing runningbacks behind the line of scrimmage., The waters in South Florida are warm and the sky’s are dark and cloudy, We welcome the AFC East. There is a disturbance in Landshark Stadium and the predators of the gridiron await you. Go Dolphins…

Staff Columnist, The Dolfanatic