Miami Dolphins: 5 Reasons to Attend 'Fins Games and Help Avoid Blackouts

I've always attacked Jacksonville and said they didn't deserve the Jaguars because they never seem to sell out their games, something the Miami Dolphins have done every week since 1998.

But that non-blackout streak looks to be coming to an end.

This Thursday's Dolphins vs. Cowboys preseason game will be blacked out.

You'll still be able to watch it on TV; Dolphins broadcast partner WFOR CBS4 will replay the game in its entirety at 11:30 p.m. Thursday night (sorry, Letterman fans), and sister station WBFS TV33 will replay the game Friday night at 8:00 p.m.. You could also still listen to the game on the radio at the same start time on 940 WINZ or WBGG 105.9 FM.

But to blackout a preseason game is no big deal, right?

No, it isn't, especially that fourth one. However, Week 2 against Houston is in danger of being blacked out.

Now that's a big deal.

I could sit here and cry and moan about the fact that it's ownership's fault for not putting a winner on the field. Instead, let me be positive and point out five reasons why you should attend Dolphins games this year. 

1. Game-Day Atmosphere

I get a jump whenever I walk through the Sun Life Stadium parking lot during Dolphins game days.

If there's one thing Miami knows how to do, it's party—and we do it well.

The smells of people making burgers, dogs and even—in some cases—seafood on their grills remind me of football.

They also remind me of my childhood going to Dolphins games with my grandfather, once a Dolphins season-ticket-holder.

I know, you're thinking, "I can grill in my backyard and invite my friends over."

Yes, you can, but when you actually go to the stadium on game day, you just get that extra oomph you can't get at home. Plus, you'll have fun with about 70,000 of your closest friends (and, from time to time, some people whom you'd never invite into your home—also known as Jets fans).

Tell me, why would you rather stay at home than be a part of that?

I know tickets and parking are ridiculously expensive, but no matter how bad the team might be, the tailgating makes it worth it.

2. Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders

Sure, when coming back from commercial breaks they'll show them—but only for about 15 seconds while Ian Eagle is telling you about Monday's episode of "Two and a Half Men."

Go to a Dolphins game, however, and you see them at all times. This ensures that no matter how ugly it might look on the field, there's always something beautiful to look at. 

3. Sun Life Stadium's Delicious and Underrated BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

This is definitely a post written by, well, a dude with a voracious appetite.

I've already mentioned tailgating food, which you would normally make yourself.

But once you get into the stadium, you might be hungry again by halftime and already have a bit of a buzz going. 

If you're a pessimist, you're telling yourself that you'll leave when Chad Henne throws the interception that loses the game.

The optimist (i.e., me) will leave after the Dolphins pull out the victory.

But either way, you're going to need something in your stomach to soak up the beer you put away during your tailgating party, along with the one or two more you have once inside the stadium.

Presenting something that never gets talked about: Sun Life Stadium's BBQ pulled pork sandwich.

First time I tried it was during Miami's 2008 preseason game against Kansas City; it was love at first bite.

Only a week later, I went to a Marlins-Mets game and spent the third and fourth innings combing the stadium like Jack Bauer looking for it. Alas, all the Marlins had to offer were the typical hot dogs, burgers and chicken tenders that are about 85 percent grease, 10 percent breading and five percent chicken. 

I was devastated.

Nobody talks about the pulled pork sandwiches sold at Sun Life, and that's a shame. They might be a bit pricey (last I checked they were $8), but man, were they delicious. 

And filling too. Stadium food is usually never filling, but this sandwich was. 

So I'm letting the secret out, although if you've been to a Dolphins game, you know how good it is. 

No matter how you feel about the Dolphins, I highly recommend going to the game, even if it's only to sample this delectable treat.

In fact, another Sun Life Stadium experience I had came at the 2011 Orange Bowl when Stanford played Virginia Tech. 

Sitting next to me was a Hokies fan and his son. You could tell by their accents they were Virginia born and raised, so being Southerners, they knew a thing or two about BBQ. 

Around the beginning of second quarter they left and came back with about five minutes left in the first half—both of them with those delicious pulled pork sandwiches.

They ate in silence, but smiling. Stanford had just scored, but it didn't matter, for they were dining on some of the best food one could get not just at Sun Life Stadium, but possibly in all of Miami.

"That's one hell of a sandwich," the father said to his son. The son just nodded in agreement.

If I told you I didn't get up about five seconds later to buy one of my own, I'd be lying.

One hell of a sandwich it is. Just writing about this is making me hungry for one.  

4. Miami Dolphins Fans

The Miami Dolphins have some of the best fans in the NFL. The diehards will always show up to Sun Life, and they create the most fun atmosphere for football.

This is one of those fans—and there are plenty more who look like her.

Have I mentioned the Dolphins have some of the hottest fans in the NFL? 

5. This Team Will Be Exciting and Good

If you're familiar with my work, I'm sure you've noticed that, at times, I'm critical of the organization.

But I've also been the eternal optimist, because with the exception of the offensive line, I like the players we have.

I picked out 10 of them as potential Pro Bowlers, given you five reasons to think they're a playoff team, then predicted just that.

Of course, all my optimism doesn't amount to anything if the team can't produce.

But they will; you will be pleasantly surprised, and you'll be glad.

So go to a Dolphins game if you live in South Florida.

Tickets to the games against the Patriots and Jets will be tough to come by, and I'm sure the Dolphins will get that one-day Gator pop for their game against the Broncos, but check out their games against Houston and Washington (which I think will be an enjoyable game). Bills-Dolphins games are always fun regardless of record; same with Dolphins-Raiders.

And of course there's their Dec. 11 contest against the Eagles. An optimistic Dolphins fan would say, "Super Bowl Preview," while the most pessimistic Dolphins fan would say, "We're going to get reamed."

The reality: an entertaining game between two entertaining teams. One that might surprise you.

That's the Dolphins' season in a nutshell. No one knows what we're going to get, so go to the games, strap in and get ready for this great roller coaster ride.

No matter the results, you'll have a lot of fun, eat great food and have the best time you could ever imagine.

Thomas Galicia is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist. Follow him on Twitter, and for more of his opinions on other subjects, visit www.thomasgalicia.com.