Watch CBS News

Sports Agenda For Monday (3/26/12)

Big Story:
Wow that was an ugly loss for the Heat last night, course you can't turn the ball over 21 times and expect to win. The Panthers lost again last night and are just 3 points ahead of the Capitals in the playoffs and the big Dolphins story is they're rebuilding…gee ya think?!?!?!

Lyrics of the Day:
"Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel…..is just a freight train coming your way"

Miami Heat: (@ Indiana Pacers, 7:00 p.m.)
Guh.
I chose the lyrics above because I'm starting to get concerned that the light at the end of the Heat's tunnel may be a freight train in the form of the Bulls, Thunder, or a few other teams.
The Thunder dismantled the Heat last night and I gotta point towards LeBron on this one.
He was horribly inefficient, shooting 8-18, and only pulled down 3 rebounds.
He's shot poorly over the last several games and after he got whacked so hard in the Phoenix Suns game, I'm wondering about his health.
He grimaced a couple of times last night, which didn't look good.
I've also got to question the Heat's shot selection.
This team isn't meant to shoot 22 three-pointers and expect to win.
I also hope Turiaf can get into Heat shape soon.
I just don't like Joel Anthony in the starting lineup, I don't know why, but it just doesn't work for me.
And someone page Mario Chalmers because 3 points in a game ain't gonna cut it.
Here's Chalmers stat line from last night: 1-5 shooting, 1-4 from 3, no free throws, 2 assists, 3 turnovers
Ouch.
He made a total of one more bucket than I did last night.
That's bad….that's really bad.
Now the Heat have to travel up to Indiana to play a good Pacers team that has good size inside.
The Heat have handled the Pacers well this season, but it's almost like the Heat put everything into the first half of the season and then hit cruise control the last few weeks.
It hasn't been pretty and something is up, but I can't figure out what it is.
I do know this, if the Heat shoot 22 3-pointers and turn it over 21 times, they can't beat hardly anyone in this league.
And at this rate, I'm not sure they can beat the Thunder in a seven-game series, I think they can, but each game like this puts more doubt in my mind.

Florida Panthers: (off Monday)
Speaking of doubt, after winning 5 in a row, the Panthers have now lost 3 in a row.
Not only that, but two of the losses came at home to really bad teams.
Now the Panthers get the Canadiens Tuesday night followed by the Wild and Blue Jackets.
There's no reason Florida shouldn't sweep the next three games.
No. Reason.
These are among the worst teams in the league, so no more excuses here.
Win, or at least get points, in the next three games and it's playoffs here we come.
Continue to stumble like the last three games, and an improbable season will become the standard no playoff season.
The Cats have seven games left and after this week, the games are quite a bit tougher.
First week of April includes….Detroit, Winnipeg, Washington, and Carolina.
Half of those are playoff teams and Winnipeg is no slouch.
Florida is sitting in either the third of sixth spot in the playoffs right now.
We'll see how long they can stay in the race over the next three games starting Tuesday night.

Miami Dolphins:
I love the fact that the Dolphins won't admit to their fans they are rebuilding.
Anyone with an above room temperature IQ can see the Fins are going young and giving up on this season for next season.
Don't believe me?
Quick, name me a veteran player over 30 on the roster not named David Garrard?
That's a toughy huh.
Look across the field and you'll see youth aplenty.
Matt Moore, Brian Hartline, Davone Bess, Jake Long, Mike Pouncey, the defensive line, the linebackers, the secondary.
They've cut Brandon Marshall and then said he was a problem in the locker room, which his teammates dismissed.
They cut Yeremiah Bell after promising him they wouldn't…which is pretty lowdown, but typical for Ireland and company.
Peyton Manning said, yeah, no thanks.
Alex Smith said he'd play, for an insane amount of money.
See, veterans have seen the Fins….Joey Porter, Ryan Clark, etc.
They don't want to be here, because they know the team is in transition.
In other words, they're rebuilding.
Here's the thing about rebuilding though…you have to have a plan.
So far, we have yet to see the plan….which makes me think they're going to try to do it exclusively through the draft or trades, not free agency.
Call it Packers-thinking.
Green Bay bypasses free agency for the draft each season.
But, the key to drafting is known who to take and when.
This crew hasn't exactly been hitting home runs on draft picks either.
So here's what they have to do in the upcoming draft…..
Either pick a quarterback named Ryan Tannehill….or continue building the foundation and take a quarterback high next year.
Remember, RGIII was considered a receiver by Mel Kiper before the 2011 season….so some prospects will put it together next year.
If they pass on a quarterback, I'd say they should trade down and select either guard DeCastro or tackle Jonathan Martin to put the bookends of the offensive line together.
Use the additional picks to add players in the second and third rounds.
Oh yeah, if Stephen Ross is interested in calling someone to talk about the Fins….I'm always available Mr. Ross, and always have plenty of questions.

We'll look at the Heat and Panthers today on CBSMiami.com plus try to get more into the Marlins who are just a week or so away from opening day and maybe delve into Ryan Tannehill a little as well…depending on breaking news.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue