By the middle of the third quarter of Sunday’s game, MetLife Stadium was half-empty, as thousands of dejected Jets fans filed for the exits. By the the time the fourth quarter started and the Dolphins held a comfortable 20-3 lead, Sections 322 and 323 — along with several hundred aqua-and-orange-clad fans scattered around the stadium — were the only ones left clapping in the stands. 760 DolfansNYC members, plus a few more who migrated to join us, cheered for every first down, sang the fight song after every touchdown (even one that was ultimately called back) and made sure to let the Jets know #MetLifeTakeover was in full effect.

Prior to and especially following the game — along with the support of thousands of fans across the country — dozens of past and present Dolphins stars, front office personnel and media members offered humbling shoutouts to DolfansNYC. Check out notable Tweets and images from CEO Tom Garfinkel, team legend O.J. McDuffie and current players including Brian Hartline, Jared Odrick and Mike Pouncey — all of whom heard their fans loud and clear.

If that wasn’t enough, watch Coach Joe Philbin thank the fans “up in the cheap seats” during his radio show with the Finsiders (12:35 mark in the video) and Brian Hartline point up to us after scoring his TD! (more…)

Hey, um, remember when this happened?  Me neither.

(Though honestly, I found the Dancing with the Stars appearance even more questionable than the New York Jets signing to begin with, but that’s besides the point).

It’s now official – Jason Traitor Taylor is coming back for his third stint with the Miami Dolphins.  He said so on his Facebook page and everything.  Aside from bringing leadership and a veteran locker room presence (and perhaps a copy of the Jets’ playbook?), the two-time Defensive Player of the Year is unlikely to see more than 15-20 snaps per game and add a handful of sacks to his 132.5 career total, barring an injury to Cameron Wake or Koa Misi.  The 36-year-old Taylor is clearly at the tail-end of his Hall of Fame career and should serve as the Dolphins’ third-down down pass rusher and outside linebacker.

Either way, pull out that aqua-and-orange No. 99 jersey from the bottom of your drawer (again) and cheer on one of the greatest Dolphins (and worst Jets and Redskins) players of all-time.  It’s yet another reason to forget all about 2010.

We’re in the midst of that boring two-week stretch before anyone can bet on the Super Bowl, so we may as well talk about every football fan’s favorite game of the year – the Pro Bowl. Sure, plenty of undeserving players such as Derek Anderson, David Garrard, and Gus Frerotte have been selected in recent years and made the honor less prestigious, but it’s still a rare opportunity to highlight a few positives from the Dolphins’ season.

Four Fins in all have been selected to the 2011 Pro Bowl – the most for the team since 2003 – offensive tackle Jake Long (who will not play due to injury), linebacker Cameron Wake, defensive end Randy Starks (replacement for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Brett Keisel), and long snapper John Denney.

It’s hardly a surprise that two Dolphins defensive linemen are making the trip to Honolulu, since Miami ranked sixth in total yards allowed per game (309.3) and 10th in sacks (39.0), while the long snapper is the only representative from the 30th–ranked offense.

Wake, the NFL’s sack leader (14.0) through 16 weeks, was dominant all year long , and should get some consideration for the Defensive Player of the Year.  NFL.com, however, list him on its “Which AFC player are you most surprised to see make the Pro Bowl?” poll, along with the league’s leading rusher (Arian Foster) and receiver (Brandon Lloyd).

Starks recorded 30 total tackles and to go along with 3.0 sacks, which was good for third on the team behind Wake and Koa Misi. For what it’s worth, Starks had 56 tackles and 7.0 sacks in 2009 and failed to make the Pro Bowl roster, so it appears that the NFL has gotten progressively worse.

With Denney as the long snapper, kicker Dan Carpenter has made 102 out of 103 extra point attempts and 76 of 94 field goals over the last three seasons (which would be higher if Carpenter wasn’t forced to attempt a ridiculous eight FGs over 50 yards last season).  I’m surprised team MVP, punter Brandon Fields, didn’t get any consideration while we’re at it.

The Pro Bowl will air on Sunday, January 30 at 7 p.m. EST on FOX.  Pretend that you’ll be watching.

The Super Bowl just can’t get here fast enough. Go Packers?