Recap: Schefter said the Dolphins are a pretty good team. He was asked which team between the Jets/Phins would give the Pats a run at the division and he said both. Marcellus Wiley agrees. Said Davone Bess has 120 catches in his first two seasons, the most ever for a Dolphins player to start out. Watch for Hartline to start opposite Marshall. Even Greenberg said that the Dolphins would be a Top 3 NFL team if Henne works out. Greenberg also said the Dolphins have a really good defense. Schefter then got disconnected on the phone and when we came back they talked about other NFL related stuff. Funny, didn't Greenberg and Golic say 7-9 for the Phins?
all sounds positive...hope we remain under the radar as much as possible. big preseason tomorrow will provide a more accurate glimpse into our future
That's true, they both said 8-8 or 7-9, but saying we have a good D, isn't the same thing as saying we're SB contenders... Look, they are being realistic. If Henne works out, if Will Allen is healthy, if Ronnie Brown and Cobbs are healthy, if Misi and Wake are what we think they will be, if Starks can make the transition to the NT spot, if Davis and Smith progress after up and down rookie campaigns, if they solve the revolving door at the G spot....there are really a lot of questions with this squad. That said, we're pretty close to seeing how things are going but to jump the gun and put is in the SB is bit of a stretch...
They actually said last week on the Dolphins 2-on2 day, 7-9 or 8-8 but it would shock them more if we were 6-10, than 10-6. I have to agree with that. There are still some questions and once again this year, it seems we have a tougher than we should have schedule. All of that could mean we are a pretty good team that ends up 8-8.
Geenie is a Jests fan, so I'd rather smell my own poop then listen to him It is nice to get some credit from the media, but they are only giving their own opinions, so I'd rather wait. Never trust the media
I think most national prognosticators rely on two things. What the record was the previous year and what roster additions/subtractions were made. They'll take note of who's looking good or bad, but that's taken with a grain of salt b/c the vast majority of reports are positive at this time of year since every team is undefeated. With the Dolphins most every body acknowledges that Henne's development is the key since it is a QB driven league. Most prognosticators will rely mostly on the previous year, more INTs than TDs therefore, not good. I do think that the National media is under-estimating the Dolphins when they predict 7-9. We were 7-9 last year and the general (I would say unanimous) consensus is that we have a more talented roster this season. Everybody also acknowledges that Henne in his third year with a full training camp as the starter should be better than Henne in his second year pressed into duty mid-season after CP's injury. Thirdly, while our starting schedule appears a bit daunting early it is also generally accepted that our overall schedule in 2010 appears easier than in 2009. I find it unreasonable to conclude that a team with a better roster, a better QB, facing an easier schedule will not improve their record at all. If I were a national prognosticator, I would probably have predicted 9-7 just based on those factors.
Doesn't every team have questions though? Look at the Jets, the media's darling to do big things this year. Can Sanchez play better? Will Shonn Greene be able to pick up the slack left behind from TJ? Does LT have anything left? Will Revis play? I'm sure the Saints have questions. Packers, Colts, Patriots too.
Our record is tough to determine with many predictions comming in with variance IMO because we play in a tough division. Three really good teams out of 4 could mean no one sweeps anyone and everyone has middle of the road records. I only really see Buffalo having a tough year in the AFC East. I would be willing to predict the last few weeks will determine who gets into the playoffs and who doesn't. Our last game vs NE could be our fate, one thing is for sure the last 4 games of the season will be wildly entertaining and exciting. Just my personal forecast. But i still like our chances even with our question marks. I totally understand the 7-9, 8-8, 9-7, 10-6 range of predictions for our phins.
Another factor that some in the media tend to overlook is not just Henne's development, but the development of other guys already on the roster. The CB's should be quite a bit better. Langford is in great shape and apparently has taken his game up a notch. Long keeps getting better. Bess and Hartline continue to get wiser and stronger and should both benefit from Marshall. And so it goes. I think the apparent maturity of guys on our roster should also take them up another step. And if most of our question marks (interior offensive line, free safety, rookie contributions) get answered affirmatively, there's no reason this team couldn't be a legitimate contender for the Super Bowl.
Well, very true, but the jests were in the AFC championship game and we weren't. The jests, like us, will go as Sanchez does, however....that NY D is light years ahead of our D, such as it is...that gives, imho, the talking heads the green light to pick teams like the jests ahead of the Fins and not be "off the wall" on their prognostications... I think one other thing is that any of the Fins, jests or pasties could win the division by beating up on the other two teams... All that is subject to change based on just the things I mentioned in my previous post....if Henne looks more like Brady than Russell, if Allen, Brown and Cobbs get and remain healthy thruout the season, Misi is all pro and DROY, if....etc, etc, etc....that can happen, some of it or all of it, but it really remains to be seen. The other team two teams (jests and pasties) are ahead of where we are in terms of their teams' individual questions....