1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Expectations For This Season

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by NCPhinFan, Aug 15, 2016.

  1. NCPhinFan

    NCPhinFan Active Member

    172
    154
    43
    Sep 22, 2014
    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!
     
    Rickysabeast and dolfan7171 like this.
  2. dolfan7171

    dolfan7171 Well-Known Member

    18,065
    3,629
    113
    Jun 12, 2009
    Arizona
    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.
     
    LI phinfan likes this.
  3. MikeHoncho

    MikeHoncho -=| Censored |=-

    52,652
    25,565
    113
    Nov 13, 2009
    6-10
     
  4. OkiePhin

    OkiePhin Well-Known Member

    3,202
    844
    113
    Dec 27, 2011
    Oklahoma
    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.
     
  5. Pauly

    Pauly Season Ticket Holder

    3,696
    3,743
    113
    Nov 29, 2007
    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.
     
    Rickysabeast and Rex Deus like this.
  6. dirtylandry

    dirtylandry Well-Known Member

    4,214
    1,750
    113
    Aug 2, 2015
    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?
     
    dolphin25 likes this.
  7. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

    3,893
    3,087
    113
    Mar 6, 2010
    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.
     
    dolphin25 likes this.
  8. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

    19,127
    11,058
    113
    Apr 22, 2014
    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.
     
    OkiePhin and Finster like this.
  9. firedan

    firedan Well-Known Member

    2,000
    826
    113
    Oct 31, 2008
    palm beach county fl
    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.
     
    dolphin25 likes this.
  10. Agua

    Agua Reality: Try It!

    5,257
    1,725
    113
    Apr 28, 2008
    4 - 6 wins
     
    tirty8 likes this.
  11. dolphin25

    dolphin25 Well-Known Member

    6,338
    2,400
    113
    Nov 22, 2014
    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.
     
  12. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    Last season in the first preseason game, Miami had a long touchdown drive.
     
  13. dirtylandry

    dirtylandry Well-Known Member

    4,214
    1,750
    113
    Aug 2, 2015
    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
     
  14. Not So Fast

    Not So Fast Well-Known Member

    1,399
    1,091
    113
    Dec 31, 2012
    Lake Worth, FL
    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.
     
  15. Limbo

    Limbo Mad Stillz

    2,476
    1,128
    113
    Mar 21, 2013
    10-6. Gase is the real deal.
     
    Rickysabeast likes this.
  16. dolphin25

    dolphin25 Well-Known Member

    6,338
    2,400
    113
    Nov 22, 2014
    I meant the play calling looked the same.
     
  17. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    Overall?

    I do not agree with that. The run/pass ratio was much better than usual.
     
  18. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

    9,173
    2,398
    113
    Apr 20, 2009
    Tampa Area
    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. :thanx:
     
    Rickysabeast likes this.
  19. Rock Sexton

    Rock Sexton Anti-Homer

    2,553
    1,793
    113
    Mar 14, 2015
    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)
     
  20. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

    72,252
    43,684
    113
    Nov 27, 2007
    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.
     
  21. dirtylandry

    dirtylandry Well-Known Member

    4,214
    1,750
    113
    Aug 2, 2015

    no when Brady was out we won the div
     
  22. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

    72,252
    43,684
    113
    Nov 27, 2007
    Yes...we were a 1 team then got a new coach when Brady was out for awhile.....
     
  23. DolphinGreg

    DolphinGreg Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    5,227
    6,527
    113
    Dec 7, 2014
    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.
     
  24. tirty8

    tirty8 Well-Known Member

    1,325
    1,381
    113
    Jan 2, 2016
    5-11
     
    FasanoPaisano likes this.
  25. Fin-O

    Fin-O Initiated Club Member

    11,375
    11,392
    113
    Sep 28, 2015
    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.
     
  26. FasanoPaisano

    FasanoPaisano Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    534
    190
    43
    Oct 10, 2009
    Near People's Pizza
    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
     
  27. Rickysabeast

    Rickysabeast Royale With Cheese

    941
    556
    93
    Jul 26, 2016
    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!
     
  28. dolphin25

    dolphin25 Well-Known Member

    6,338
    2,400
    113
    Nov 22, 2014
    no, I meant the routes. agreed there were more runs called then last year.
     

Share This Page