I'm trying to go into the season without any expectations as to not be disappointed, but obviously I do have the hope that we will play well and can be a playoff team. I am very curious to see what Gase's playcalling style is and if he can manage the game competently from the sidelines. If Gase can utilize the roster to its strengths, it can help bridge the gap between teams that have more talent and experience than we do. Gase and the coordinators seem much more well spoken about the game than Philbin and company did, but let's see how that translates into the regular season. Looking forward to kickoff!
I think we have the potential to be a really great team. There is more talent on this roster than on recent past. If the coaches can get these players to play to their potential, most teams won't want to play against us.
None... Year 1 with a new coaching staff and new system. I'm just going to throw on my jersey, cook on the grill and enjoy Dolphins football with my son.
a) I think there is talent enough on this team to be around 10-6. But our depth is thin at RB, OL, LB and DB. b) Bad coaching flat out robbed us of at least 3 games last year. I am not prepared to say how good Gase offense/Johnson defense will be, but I feel that the first time since the Saban years that we are not going into the season with inferior schemes to the rest of the league. As for decision making and preparing players to play that will have to be tested in real game situations. Ultimately I feel that our coaching staff definitely will not drag us down and if Gase is as good as advertised we might even pick up a game or two because of him. c) We're installing a new offense and a new defense. That will probably cost us at least two games because players will make mistakes. d) The schedule looks a little on the tough side, but not the doom and gloom some people paint it as. So by looking at big picture items I think around 8-8 is the most likely outcome. As for what I personally expect. - I expect the D-Line to be let loose to aggressively attack the QB (not like last year) and that penetration and aggression on the d-line will mask the holes behind it. I kind of expect to see a lot of big plays (good and bad) when the D is on the field. - I expect Gase to establish and maintain a more consistent effort at running than we did under Lazor. That alone will take some of the pressure off the passing game because last in the last 2 years opposing Ds have consistently been able to sit back in pass protect whenever there was an obvious passing situation. I don"t expect our rushing ti be more efficient than it was with Lamar Miller, but that we will do it more often. - I expect to see a passing game built around what Gase believes Tannehill is best at, whatever that may be. Under Lazor and Sherman Tannehill has been asked to perform the OC's system. So I expect to see more plays about putting square pegs into square holes, not repeated attempts to hammer square pegs into round holes. Finally I hope, but don't expect, the OL to be back to NFL average.
I'm going at a different angle. I won't predict # of wins, but I think if we stop the run and depend on the defensive line to dominate the line of scrimmage andhope to buy some time for the Oline to gel, we can win more games than last year. The most decisive factor is the view on RT. Local Radio is saying he isn't pre-snap reading fast enough. However, does that get blown up if the defense is blowing up the Oline. Here is a thought: it is expected that the qb release the ball in 2.8 seconds. However, how many seconds are the opposing Defensive Line blowing up our Oline? I hate to downplay anything, but seems we are 1.5-2 seconds away from being a good offense. That's an eternity and an insult in today's game, but, it is needed. How can we buy that kind of time? Is it personnel on the line, technique, communication?
Very Low. Many times in the last decade, I've boughten into the offseason hype. Now I'm in the prove it mindset. I'm optimistic that we are on a better path than we were 2 years ago but I still don't have faith that we have the right pieces at OL, QB, LB and CB to be a playoff caliber team. I would love to be wrong.
Sounds spot on! Can I get an invitation? Too many unknowns to 'expect' anything. New coaches, new scheme, new players. For me it'll be sit down to watch and enjoy a game of football and see what happens. I'm more excited about the long term prospects the coaching change brings, but even there, I don't have expectations, just hopes.
i'm buying all in and counting on a ten win season. I have to warn myself about drinking the KoolAid again but I just can't help it.
The offense in the first game looked much like the offense of the past several years. I do think Gase will run the ball more. 7-9 again.
I think the suicide watches need to stop. They made progress today at camp. Miami has to be more stout on the line because they're qb can't pre-snap read. He needs more time to find the open WR, about 1-2 more seconds. It's the reality of the situation. so I am glad that the Guards are replaced and with an emphasis to stop the run for the first time in 2 seasons, I want to assume we win more than 6 games. Having NE without Brady and Clev early with Gordon, helps
I don't expect any playoffs. It's going to be a long season with players learning the new system. There will be lots of mistakes and growing pains. Gase has his work cut out for him. Let's hope he can at least sow the seeds for a brighter future.
there will be a 10-6 & post season run by Miami or good bye RT... somebody needs to build a fire under these underachievers & quit with the excuses. its time to play ball.
As I said in the last time this thread was created - no more than 6-7 wins. - Too many moving parts - A first time HC who's spreading himself thin by also trying to call the offensive plays and coach up Ryan Tannehill - New schemes needing to be adjusted to - Shoddy secondary - Questionable pass rush situation with Wake coming off an achilles tear and OV gone. Mario Williams is 31 and questions remain about what he's got left in the tank (definitely not an every down player) - Major question marks at RB (Ajayi is a poor blocker and not an every down back - Foster can't be trusted to remain healthy all year long)
At one point in time, we were a 1 win team, and got a brand new coach. Brady was also out for chunk of time then too.
The guys in the spotlight are Tannehill, Parker and Ajayi. The bulk of the outside pressure will be on them to perform. All could position themselves as franchise players if they were to put on a good show. On the other hand, each one needs to step up and prove their worth. How serious a threat can Parker be week to week? Does Ajayi have the vision to be a feature back? Does Tannehill have the wherewithal, decision making and instincts to warrant the money he's got coming to him? For any success to happen, the O-line has to get better, but I've got confidence that Gase can bring a spark. I'm optimistic that the O-line will be improved to some degree. But the more interesting part of this season will undoubtedly be evaluating all these guys that are supposedly part of the new foundation. Outside of the 3 names I listed above, this includes Tunsil, Carroo, Grant, Drake, McCain (DE), Philips, Jenkins, Alonso, Maxwell, Howard, McCain (CB), Abdul-Quddus and several others whose names are under the radar right now. We all know that several vets including Williams (DE), Albert, Bushrod and Foster are stop-gaps. We know this team will very likely be drafting defense next year. How many younger guys step up and claim permanent roles is what's most important if you ask me. This is after all, still only year 1 of a rebuild.
Not much and getting worse. Ive been dissecting a few things for the upcoming season as reference for my NFL betting hobby... Im not liking what Im seeing out of the Dolphins. Sign me up for 4-12 at the moment.
I think the same ... OL, RB and secondary look like they will be problem areas (seems familiar) ... I'd love for this team to prove me wrong
I don't know. I don't want to be a downer and want to be optimistic and enthusiastic about the Dolphins going into the season. It's easy for us long term fans to be at saturation level already. It's kinda like my lawn in Naples with the summer storms. In May, the ground just absorbs all the rain with no problem (newer fan that hasn't endured every tick of the post Marino misery). By September each year, (my state of misery) the ground cannot hold any water and the tiniest rain leads to potential flooding, full drainage swales etc. With that colorful metaphor out of the way, I think 9-7 is a fair expectation and it'll be down to the wire whether we make the playoffs or not. Right now it looks like not only do we not have to worry about the Pats with Brady out for 1/4 of the season but Buffalo's team is in shambles with now 3 suspensions. So, I'm hoping we can start fast and get on a roll and take the AFCE this year. If not, it'll be misery all over again, as we'll have to get rid of Tannehill, find a new QB, be understanding and all the blah blah blah we've been through finding the 17 QB's we've had since Marino....I don't want to sound fickle but after 37 years of being a fan, I don't know if I have it in me for another reload at QB. I'm oversaturated with sub par performance form the Phins at this point. We're getting into Browns territory here regarding our length of losing. C'mon Phins! Lets shrug it off this year and make it happen!