The first NFL game I remember was seeing Marino getting sodomized by the Jags in the divisional round in '99. Since then, being a Dolphins fan has been nothing but pain. The thing is, for some reason I’m totally okay with the Dolphins underperforming. Even this season, which is late playoff run or bust, I’m completely understanding of all our failures. As long as the Fins even smell like they’re on the right track, I’m ecstatic.
Within the same general time frame, one of the first college games I remember is the University of Miami destroying Nebraska in the National Championship. The Canes were dominant. Everybody was going to the NFL. These days I have no patience for the Canes. My standards are so much higher. It doesn’t make sense to view these two teams through such a different lens.
Is it just me, or do you guys also benchmark against your early memories? Trying to figure out why I didn’t love the Dolphins any less during their one win season, but a 5 loss Canes gives me heartburn.
My parents were big Oilers fans. When the team left for Nashville, they pretty much lost any interest in the NFL.
2010 was when I started showing interest in the NFL, and of course the Texans. The stars we had on defense in those early years of my fandom really did set the bar high for my expectations for defense. DeMeco Ryans, Brian Cushing, Mario Williams, Kareem Jackson, Whitney Mercilus. JJ Watt certainly leaves a hole that is impossible to fill.