Ok Phin-phuks, I'm here to clarify some things for all you doubting, blithering meatheads that can never let go of Marino and the Killer Bees....We are a better team this year since '94. Let me elaborate... Our team success has been highly dependent on defesne for the past 10 years, but lacking a CONSISTENT running game has been the key. Now the Dolphins find themselves with a huge dilemna at the position of quarterback. Start Fiedler and get complete knowledge of the playbook AND players...Start A.J. Feeley, and you get a stronger arm and a little better quickness off the line of scrimmage with slants and screens. I guess there are a couple things to consider...
First issue is health. Fiedler has a good winning percentage when he's healthy, but when he comes off of an injury, he isn't very good. He has bulked up a bit ( 15 lbs. bigger up top this year), which gives him more release velocity, but may make him prone to more elbow and shoulder issues. Feeley on the other hand is younger, and he comes from a system that is more pass devoted (Philly) and relies on a 3rd stringer to be ready since their o-line was porous...
Miami's O-line is strong this year, and without grandpa Ruddy at center, we should see a quicker pull to the ends from a younger center. What that does is it enables Ricky to exploit the the the outsides AND work a lot more on the screens and delay flat passes, which were huge missing links in '03 for our offense. Another underrated player that doesn't get credit for Ricky's success is Rob Konrad. Rob brings toughness and size to the blocking aspect of our miserable 3rd down numbers, and he has great hands for a fullback.
Here's my X-factor.. I think the key to Jacksonville for our beloved Phins falls on two things. Special teams and how well our starting field position is this year, since we were almost last in the league in field position, which meant longer, more treacherous drives, which as we know, doesn't bode well for our young offensive line and our prize running back Ricky Williams, who was subbing out more often the second half of the season with leg issues. He needs to stay loose on the sidelines, and quit focusing so much on trying to create holes that aren't there. He will be faster this year, and will be able to get outside if he's more patient.
The other factor is playcalling. Coach Dave is in the hotseat, but for good reason. He didn't go for it on fourth very often last year, due to Norv Turner's predictable monotanous offensive scheme. Dave could have made some decisions on the playcalling side that would have given his team the confidence they lacked in the clutch. Plus, we'll see Fiedler calling more audibles, for he is more knowledgeable of the plays this year AND has finally gotten the defensive reads down. His decision making, along with Wandstadt's confidence boosting in him (or Feeley) will go a long way if he shows his balls this year...Otherwise, look for the Phins to find a big college running-down-your-throat coach who will have a passing game to compliment Ricky, instead of trying to compliment Ricky with interceptions and punts. My prediction for this year......12-4 ...We'll get into the playoffs as the East champs, with N.E. as a wild card. we will host the first round at home against an afc west opponent like the chiefs or broncos. then we will travel to indy or tennessee and test our stamina. If we get to the AFC championship game, we will go simply because no one expected us to get past the first round. Philadelphia or Seattle and either Miami or Indianapolis in the Super Bowl, with Miami winning if Seattle shows up, and Philly taking it no matter who is from the AFC...there it is...if any of you are asking why I didn't mention David Boston or Chris Chambers, it's because that subject is a no brainer...Produce the goods, or go away...
