2012 is a Success If....

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I know every fan wants their team to make the playoffs and challenge for a super bowl. Taking it one step further we all want to see Miami emerge as a dynasty. To me, this year is about seeing what young players are capable of and giving young players opportunities. While that might not translate well in the form of wins and losses, I see this team building for 2014.

In the best case scenario, this season, Ryan Tannehill probably sits for at least half the season maybe the whole year. That will give the Dolphins time to sort through the questions at wide receiver and on the offensive line. At least one player needs to step up at wide receiver and my best guess is that either Clyde Gates or Roberto Wallace, or both, emerge. Everyone talks about bringing in a veteran here, but veterans do block youngsters from developing and I really want to see what the unproven wide receivers can do. Let's face it, we wouldn't know anything about Victor Cruz if he wasn't given an opportunity.

On the offensive line I feel that Jonathan Martin has a chance to be one of the top right tackles in football pretty quickly. I'd really like to see another young player come through with a solid year, maybe John Jerry. My gut is that Miami will have to bring in two new offensive guards, quicker types who can pull, over the next couple of years to complete the line. That said, Jerry is intriguing because he does move well for a big guy.

The defense could keep Miami competitive, but only if someone emerges opposite Cameron Wake to provide a pass rush. There are several guys who will be given chances included 3rd round pick Olivier Vernon. The secondary seems like a mess to me, but that is a specialty for our new defensive coordinator so there is hope.

This season is about finding out if anyone can play safety at a high level and if someone, other than Vontae Davis, can be an above average corner. This year is about finding answers and trying to be competitive while giving young guys a real chance to prove themselves. We should have a clear picture heading into next offseason what the team needs to take that next step.

 

[miamiron]

I know every fan wants their team to make the playoffs and challenge for a super bowl. Taking it one step further we all want to see Miami emerge as a dynasty. To me, this year is about seeing what young players are capable of and giving young players opportunities. While that might not translate well in the form of wins and losses, I see this team building for 2014. In the best case scenario, this season, Ryan Tannehill probably sits for at least half the season maybe the whole year. That will give the Dolphins time to sort through the questions at wide receiver and on the offensive line. At least one player needs to step up at wide receiver and my best guess is that either Clyde Gates or Roberto Wallace, or both, emerge. Everyone talks about bringing in a veteran here, but veterans do block youngsters from developing and I really want to see what the unproven wide receivers can do. Let's face it, we wouldn't know anything about Victor Cruz if he wasn't given an opportunity. On the offensive line I feel that Jonathan Martin has a chance to be one of the top right tackles in football pretty quickly. I'd really like to see another young player come through with a solid year, maybe John Jerry. My gut is that Miami will have to bring in two new offensive guards, quicker types who can pull, over the next couple of years to complete the line. That said, Jerry is intriguing because he does move well for a big guy. The defense could keep Miami competitive, but only if someone emerges opposite Cameron Wake to provide a pass rush. There are several guys who will be given chances included 3rd round pick Olivier Vernon. The secondary seems like a mess to me, but that is a specialty for our new defensive coordinator so there is hope. This season is about finding out if anyone can play safety at a high level and if someone, other than Vontae Davis, can be an above average corner. This year is about finding answers and trying to be competitive while giving young guys a real chance to prove themselves. We should have a clear picture heading into next offseason what the team needs to take that next step.

[h=2]2012 is a Success If....[/h]
We use paragraphs

 

[phinfanNY08]

You can't forget we were "rebuilding" in 2008 and won the division title. We aren't projected to do well but when you recall four years ago we introduced a new offense and rode an easier schedule to the title. I have confidence with the coaching staff and philbin has taken unknowns and have made them work well within his system. Tannehill will sit behind Moore and work garbage time. But my gut says he shines all off season and will start week 1. Offensive line play was weak on the right side with cement feet Colombo and the revolving door at guard. Martin will be a good year one starter and if Jerry stays healthy, should provide protection and good blocking for Bush and co.

The up tempo offense will make Miami dangerous if they execute well. I see success this year against an easier schedule

 

[Spesh]

IEveryone talks about bringing in a veteran here, but veterans do block youngsters from developing and I really want to see what the unproven wide receivers can do. Let's face it, we wouldn't know anything about Victor Cruz if he wasn't given an opportunity.

Victor Cruz wasnt "given an opportunity" outside of being invited to camp. Once he stepped foot on camp he blew it up. The Giants, despite being loaded at that position, kept him on because they saw just how special a player he was. He "earned" his opportunity. Most forget that he was a preseason phenom by single handedly slaying the Jets(i will remember, until the day i die, the play where Cruz held a Jets corner in a head lock, grabbed the bad out of the air with one hand, ran into the endzone-first play in the highlights below).

Im tired of people saying "just give these young guys a chance and they will destroy!!!!". How about they earn it. The wide receiver position is completely open. No one is a lock to make the position at the moment. We have what, 5 young players that havent shown anything that are fighting to make the squad(including 2 just drafted rookies). If they cant earn it this offseason, gut the position next offseason.

[video=youtube;FFEuwM2yWs8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFEuwM2yWs8[/video]

 

[insomnia411]

Its a success if we win the Super Bowl. Isn't that the goal every season?
This team has been bad for a very long time, and I'm tired of excuses.

 

[Gonzo]

If Philbin shows he can manage a game (unlike Sparano), the players grasp his system, younger players step it up and improve upon previous years (looking at you Sean Smith), and Tannehill is prepared to start the next season. On the last note, if he shows he is better than the other two this year, I see no reason to wait. That's the point of competition. No way am I expecting Super Bowl or even playoffs. Simply not enough playmakers on this team yet, but if the offense is installed properly and the D learns how to cover TEs and get more pressure on the QB (outside of Wake), I don't see why we can't be competitive next year after adding some.

It doesn't take years to turn around a team anymore. You can do it within a year or two if you have a good coach, a good QB, and at least a competent GM. I feel pretty good about the first two and Ireland could become the third if he continues to build on that last draft.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Here you go. First step toward success -- much easier to read post.

---------- Post added at 01:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:53 PM ----------

I see your point, but sometimes you have to take time to develop players. You simply can't win the super bowl every year, or even challenge every year. But, yes that's definitely the goal. I'm looking 2014 for this team to really be in that neighborhood.

 

[CO-Gator]

With this team, 8-8 is a success IMO.

 

[tcdrover]

If we don't lose our first 7 games it is already a success.

WE have a new Offense and a new defense. I will be happy if we win most of our home games, sweep the jests and split with the rest of the AFC East.

I am SOOOOO tired of hearing people who never watch football games keep going on and on about how the Dolphins have been a losing franchise for so long. The fins won plenty of games when JJ, Wannsteadt and Saban were here. It was Saban's last year that went bad. His first year here we almost made the playoffs if it hadn't been for mcmicheal fumbling games away and Chambers dropping game winning td catches in the endzone.

We won the AFC East just a few years ago. if you don't really watch the games, you REALLY don't have to pretend that you do.

 

[AdamD13]

Given our recent history success = playoffs...anything less it is just another disappointing year.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

You can't forget we were "rebuilding" in 2008 and won the division title. We aren't projected to do well but when you recall four years ago we introduced a new offense and rode an easier schedule to the title. I have confidence with the coaching staff and philbin has taken unknowns and have made them work well within his system. Tannehill will sit behind Moore and work garbage time. But my gut says he shines all off season and will start week 1. Offensive line play was weak on the right side with cement feet Colombo and the revolving door at guard. Martin will be a good year one starter and if Jerry stays healthy, should provide protection and good blocking for Bush and co.

The up tempo offense will make Miami dangerous if they execute well. I see success this year against an easier schedule

That's true and anything is possible in the NFL. I think the team may better this year, but the win/loss record may not necessarily reflect that. I do think Miami needs to find out what young players are keepers, while establishing new systems on both sides of the ball.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Victor Cruz wasnt "given an opportunity" outside of being invited to camp. Once he stepped foot on camp he blew it up. The Giants, despite being loaded at that position, kept him on because they saw just how special a player he was. He "earned" his opportunity. Most forget that he was a preseason phenom by single handedly slaying the Jets(i will remember, until the day i die, the play where Cruz held a Jets corner in a head lock, grabbed the bad out of the air with one hand, ran into the endzone-first play in the highlights below).

Im tired of people saying "just give these young guys a chance and they will destroy!!!!". How about they earn it. The wide receiver position is completely open. No one is a lock to make the position at the moment. We have what, 5 young players that havent shown anything that are fighting to make the squad(including 2 just drafted rookies). If they cant earn it this offseason, gut the position next offseason.

[video=youtube;FFEuwM2yWs8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFEuwM2yWs8[/video]

Maybe Victor Cruz was a bad example. But do you think a Tony Sparano led coaching staff would have used Cruz over established players based on preseason? Who knows. The main point, though, is that at some point you've got to give opportunities to young players to step forward. The Dolphins are at that point IMO. It will definitely help the team moving forward to find out what we've got at unsettled positions like wr, og and in the secondary.

 

[AdamD13]

That's true and anything is possible in the NFL. I think the team may better this year, but the win/loss record may not necessarily reflect that. I do think Miami needs to find out what young players are keepers, while establishing new systems on both sides of the ball.

Since 2002 (10 years) a team that finished last in their division has won the division the following year...for whatever that is worth.

 

[finintheburgh]

i think the thing that will make this season a success is seeing tanne look play well and look like the franchise qb we all hope he becomes. and finally seeing some exciting offensive football. if we see these things we will have a very bright future.

 

[SuperMarksBros.]

If we don't lose our first 7 games it is already a success.

WE have a new Offense and a new defense. I will be happy if we win most of our home games, sweep the jests and split with the rest of the AFC East.

I am SOOOOO tired of hearing people who never watch football games keep going on and on about how the Dolphins have been a losing franchise for so long. The fins won plenty of games when JJ, Wannsteadt and Saban were here. It was Saban's last year that went bad. His first year here we almost made the playoffs if it hadn't been for mcmicheal fumbling games away and Chambers dropping game winning td catches in the endzone.

We won the AFC East just a few years ago. if you don't really watch the games, you REALLY don't have to pretend that you do.

Shoot for the stars...