Dolphins let destiny take care of itself
Greg Stoda of the Palm Beach Post just wants make sure that everyone realizes, regardless of what they have read, the Miami Dolphins do not control their own destiny.
“By definition, destiny is ‘a predetermined course of events considered as something beyond human power,’ ” Stoda wrote.
“What the Dolphins control is their situation.
“They can reach the playoffs on their own merits regardless of results elsewhere. If they beat Buffalo and the New York Jets in the final two games of the regular season, the Dolphins will be 10-6 and either AFC East champions (if New England loses twice) or a conference wild card.
“There’s nothing predetermined about it.
“ ‘I don’t know about destiny and all that,’ said Miami defensive end Cam Wake. ‘Luck favors the ready. I’m not thinking about two or three or four weeks from now.
I’m thinking about Buffalo.’
“He was asked, now that Miami has played its way into a position of control concerning its playoff picture, if he’s not at least savoring the taste of grand possibilities.
“ ‘I only taste Sundays,’ Wake said.
“There’s an unmistakable confidence growing among the Dolphins, who know, as [receiver Brian] Hartline said, they ‘don’t have to watch games in the hope somebody [needs to] lose.’
“ ‘Everybody buys in,’ Wake said.
“It’s a matter-of-fact attitude.
There’s no locker-room swagger.
“ ‘It’s important that the players believe in one another,’ Coach Joe Philbin said. ‘It’s important that they believe in the coaching staff.
Swagger? I’ll have to go into the dictionary.’
“He knows what it means.
“He knows what ‘destiny’ means, too, and the Dolphins aren’t at all about a ‘resignation to fate, good or bad.’
“They control their playoff circumstance.”They said it
Miami Dolphins Coach Joe Philbin, to reporters, when asked how he might celebrate last Sunday’s victory over the New England Patriots: “I might jump in my pool. I’ve only been in it once since I’ve been here.”
Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, after Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was claimed in baseball’s Rule 5 draft: “The Texas Rangers now have arguably the best quarterback in Arlington.”
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, to reporters, after kicking six field goals - including a last minute 61-yarder - to beat the Detroit Lions on Monday: “My fantasy team is benefiting from it. Fantasy owners around the world, I hope you appreciate the points.”Quote of the day
“You have to want to coach here at Arkansas State, and guess what?
We found that guy. He wants to coach here. He will be here at Arkansas State.” ASU Athletic Director Terry Mohajir on Coach Blake Anderson
Sports, Pages 23 on 12/20/2013