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.
Yes and no. Growing up the Niners were a dynasty that just kept reloading and always seemed like they were competing for super bowls, and that would always be the case.
But into my teens and as a young adult the Niners sucked. I was at the playoff win against the Giants back in the 2002 season. We just squeaked by them, and then would go on to get stomped by the Bucs the following week.
At the time it was a disappointing season (for the standard I’d become accustomed to), but I figured we’d get it sorted out. We’d then go on to miss the playoffs for the next 8 seasons, which really molded my current fandom.
Harbaugh was as a breath of fresh air and I it was super disappointing when the team parted ways with him because I knew how bad things could get; and it did. Now with ShannaLynch I’m super happy to have them and I just laugh when a “fan” talks about putting them on the hot seat.