temper expectations & you won't suffer great disappointments.
we are in the second year of a four year project.
we still have holes to fill. and even if every hole were filled, we'd need time to develop talent across the board. our coaches need time to hone skills & implement systems of play.
the Franchise QB must step up (probably not going to happen in 2009(unless it's going to be Pennington) before we go to a SuperBowl
we're off to a magnificent start. however, consider the schedule & consider the magnitude of the rebuilding project.
I would be content with a winning season, playing every game with 100% intensity & improving as we moved through the season as a team.
I figure (at this point) 8 maybe 9 wins with lots of blood. To make the play-offs again this year is a noble, happy & unrealistic expectation. Having said that : I hope we win our first playoff game this season, but I'm not holding my breathe.
In 2010 We Will Contend!
just a matter of time. enjoy the process.
what do you think?
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I think, MIAMI DOLPHINS season 2009 SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS!!
Tempering expectations is for losers and Jets fans.
I am a crazy fan and I am going to watch every game thinking Miami is going to win and looking forward to miami playing in the Superbowl!Themole, B.Sebo, GARDENHEAD and 7 others like this. -
if the Orca-5 comes to fruition ... then .500 would be underachieving, based solely on our defenses performance from last year - regardless of our intial strength of schedule (read - it is the most difficult in the NFL, right now today).
assuming we have a good draft -- and the picks pan out .... then this team will contend this year. the only differences between 09, 10 and 11 will be experience, Henne and another WR, NT, RB and potentially TE; but, with all those pieces in place now - less WR.
we have other holes right now, but they will be addressed this weekend. -
So I say,"boooooo!" to the OP.
Posted via Mobile Devicelate again likes this. -
Nah, I can't go into 2009 thinking we won't compete. \Getting the flavor of 11-5 in the first year with so many chances that they gave away (texans, jets) why shouldn't I get amped up for 09? One more year of experience for the coaches, same base of players some new additions and hopefully another great draft next week. It isn't as though the teams we play next season will be a carbon copy of 08 they will rise and fall as well.
Football success is too fleeting to skip past any year and look ahead to 2-3 years from now.
There is no reason why they can't be more successful in 09 than they were in 08.Ultra and late again like this. -
Why should any fans of the defending AFC EAST CHAMPIONS temper expectations? Sure, we have a tough road ahead. But I have confidence in coach Sparano and company. No offense, but I'm not a big fan of the whole "don't get your hopes up" statements when it comes to sports. The 2008 Dolphins proved anything is possible. And there are 31 other teams out there who are on 2 year, 4 year, etc schedules. Trying to schedule out when you are going to win is a fools game. But you can stick to your schedule if you want. I for one, am not going to wallow in thoughts of loserdom and low expectaions.
Rocky Raccoon and Sceeto like this. -
I always (well, almost) have high expectations for the Fins, they're my team and I want the best. On the other hand, I don't get freaked out when they don't excel, either, I just move those high expectations to the next season....
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Last yr I had low expectations and we won our division, so I dont know how to feel anymore. :yes:
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Last year was awesome, it was the most enjoyable season I've experienced as a season ticket holder in a long time. However, we're not going to have that same success in 2009, not with the schedule we've been given. I'm predicting a 6-10 season for the Phinz this year, and I'm also predicting that we get to see Henne starting sooner than expected as a result. Just my opinion{s}....
IN TUNA WE TRUST.... -
With one of the toughest, if not "the" toughest schedule in the NFL this year it will be a true test of the Dolphins new found character and confidence. You have to be excited knowing the Dolphins are respectable once again. No, my expectations are not too high, I think they are just right considering this is a new Dolphin team with a winning attitude and people at the top we can respect and have confidence in once again.
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Trying to predict the toughest schedule before the season starts is a fools game. Last year the Indianapolis Colts were said to have the 2nd toughest schedule of any team in the NFL. At the end of the season it turns out the combined winning percentage of the teams they played was one of the worst in the league. Don't have exact numbers on this. Heard it on the radio. But the fact remains. We won't know how hard our schedule "is" until the season is over.
Ultra likes this. -
Here is the good part our expectations don't win or lose games, what matters is the expectations of the players. It would be hard for me to believe this team doesn't have extremely high expectations of themselves. They now had a year to gel together, a year to reflect on their success, and a year under the leadership on Pennington. Let's face it the Tuna has the Midas touch.
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Tempered expectations is for Cubs' fans. "There's always next year".
Sorry but that just takes all the fun out of being a fan, in my opinion.
I realize not everyone operates that way, however.
I sit down to every single game expecting to watch the Dolphins win. If I'm going to worry about disappointment then perhaps it would be best to expect us to go 0-16 every year regardless. After all there's only going to be one ultimate champion.
As has already stated, we won the division last year. I see no reason to "expect" a step back, and every reason to expect a step forward. Talk about the Pats and Brady's return if you want. But Brady's last 2 games weren't exactly things of beauty (for him). So he's going to have to show up and prove that he can still play at a high level. Furthermore the Pats' OL has shown they're vulnerable to pressure on both edges. Not to mention they're going to be playing pretty much the same schedule as us.
So I'm not convinced we can't have a better season this year than we had last.Crappy Tipper and Ultra like this. -
I don't think in the NFL you have the luxury to sit back and have 'building years.' With free agency, almost every year is a win now mentality. Coaches get one year to draft their team and get a system, then load up in free agency and hope you got the right guys. If it works out and you have a good draft and a winning season, then you have some legs to build on.
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Exactly.
to temper expectations = bills fans.
No true fan would wish for success in 2010 and not this year. That is silly.Rocky Raccoon likes this. -
I'm not one for saying we'll regress. I don't think us winning the East was any fluke. If we draft strong, we could beat anyone.late again and Themole like this. -
Last year was my first year as a Dolphin fan where I had zero confidence in going into the season. Where 4-12 would of been just fine. Look what happened. Miami was 11-5. I do not care about strength of schedule. Miami has had easy schedules and had losing season and missed the playoffs. All that matters to me is watching the Dolphins win. I am going to expect it, and I am going to cheer for it. I will be disappointed when it is time to be disappointed.
A coward dies a thousand deaths!phinfanuk and Rocky Raccoon like this. -
if we improve as much as we did last year, we'll win the super bowl and the pro bowl will be the dolphins vs nfc.
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I expect us to win the Super Bowl this year. In our own house! :)
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I'm gonna take each game as it comes. I think it'll be hard to top 11-5 this season, but that doesn't mean we can't be in it right until the end. It wouldn't shock me if we don't make the playoffs, but we all know now we have a real TEAM that wont quit, and will make our opponents fight for every inch. That's why we'll always have a chance.
If Brady comes back 100%, maybe we'll just have to retire him to the bench again. -
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Crappy Tipper likes this.
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Also Miami might have a harder schedule and so does the Jets, Bills and the Patriots.
Win their division, they are in the playoffs. -
I usually do my best just to not get caught up in the strength of schedule hype no matter how promising or dismal it seems.
I like to take the football season one game at a time.Fin Fan In Cali and Crappy Tipper like this. -
Friend FinFanInCali:
1) burdens either broaden the shoulders or break the back. the schedule is a good thing.
2) when I refer to tempering expectations, I'm referring in great part to using a different barometer to measure the success of the team. There exists much impatience in Dolfandom. The truth is, there is a parcellian plan for rebuilding our team & we are in year two of a four year process. The TriFecta rarely deviates from the blue print. it is what it is. success or failure in 2009 can be as appropriately measured in where we are on the blue print, as opposed to the win/loss column. just maybe, they'll both coincide.
3) anything can happen in the NFL, however improbable. what I anticipate is 8 to 9 wins, improving with each game played. I want to see blood. I want other teams & respect our team & fear the next encounter they have with the Dolphins. I want innovative coaching & discipline. I want to use 2009 to solidify the team, tactically & for key players to step up. And if by the grace of God we make the play-offs again, I want to win our first play-off game.
2009 should be exciting but we will contend in 2010!Fin Fan In Cali likes this. -
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