Itiswhatitis
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I just wanted to compare this years teams as it stands now to last years after a huge turnover in the roster.
QB - Advantage 2008. Sure we started with Green last year but we all knew he was one hit away from retirement. Thanks to the ill idvised cutback by Ginn Jr., it happened early in the season. On the positive note, we got to see Beck and Lemon play and realize they were not the answer. To start 2008 it looked like we might be in even worse shape than 2007 but thanks to good ole Brett Favre, the Packers, and the Jets, we FINALLY have somebody who is probably in the top half of the quarterbacks. Not only that, but it is easy to tell after watching Henne that we have found our future QB as well. His pocket presence, decisions, arm strength, footwork and accuracy will make us happy for many years to come. I like the Chad combo. Each runs great play action which has the potential to really open things up if our running game is as good as it should be.
RB - PUSH - We had Ricky, Ronnie and Chatman last year. That should have been one potent threesome. Unfortunately, injuries ruined everything. On a postiive note, it virtually assured us of getting the # pick overall and I wanted Jake Long 3 years ago. I still can't believe we got him. This year, once again Ricky and Ronnie return minus Chatman. Ricky comes in looking back to his Pro Bowl caliber while running looks tentative which is understandable coming off the knee injury. I like what I see from Parmalee thus far as well. Baring injures, we could surprise a lot of people on the ground.
FB - PUSH - I was routing for the Juggernaught but it looks like Grisby is the better option. I would not consider this position a weakness or a strength yet. I need to see more.
WR - Advantage 2007 - Chambers, Booker and Ginn should have equated to a decent air attack. Trading Chambers was the right move because we were going nowhere and he was getting close to 30. Now we have Ginn, Hagan and Bess as the penciled in starters. Anthony has also shined lately. While I am very intrigued to see if these youngsters can do what we need this year, it is definitely one of the main areas of concern. This group does have the potential to turn into a strength especially with good quarterbacking but right now it must be considered a weakness. That being said, I would like to stand pat see what we have. Give the young guys a chance and if we need to, fix it next year during the draft or free agency.
TE - Slight Advantage 2008 - We still have Martin but we added Fasano. Like the FB position, I need to see a lot more to form an opinion this year. Last year was pretty weak so this year had better be an improvement. I am a Peele fan myself so I am pulling for him.
OL - BIG Advantage 2008 - It is amazing to see what the Trifecta has done. I am a true believer that games are usually won in the trenches and we FINALLY have talent evaluators that get it. Spending the #1 pick on Jake was the best thing they could have done. That moves Carey back to where he plays best, maybe at a pro bowl level. If there is one thing Cam did give us, that is Satelle. Add Smiley and the surprise 6th round Thomas at guard who seems to not only be holding his own but getting the better of defenders, and this line might not only be the youngest OL in football, but the best. If that happens, and I think it will, it should improve the production at every single offensive position.
Offensive Advantage 2008.
Now for the denfense...
Secondary - PUSH - It kind of looks the same at the start of both years. Only difference being like the RB position, injuries decimated us last year. It will be very interesting to see if Jason Allen can live up to his draft status and if Bell can return from a severe injury. Early signs look positive. Sparano said he is happy with the secondary. I am not sure I totally agree but it may not be as bad as I first thought. The key will be getting a decent pass rush. I think these guys are good enough for a short amount of time. Let the QB scan the field and they are going to be in trouble.
LB - Big Advantage 2007 - No JT. No Zach. Wow, but letting each of them go was the right move. Parcells/Ireland did a great job getting a 2nd round pick for JT all things considered. That being said, Zach ended up getting hurt and the LB's last year didn't seem to help our pathetic run defense. This year we have some free agents starting who we are not too familiar with. While I don't think they will stack up to last year, they might be much better than I first though. During the preseason Crowder is playing his best ball to date. I like what I saw in Torbor and Adwelkue (forgive spelling) as well. Porter has me worried with his nagging back injuries and Roth has me intrigued. He could dominate TE's with his strength. Pass coverage has me scared though. Finally, can Anderson and Moses pick up the JT sack count? I doubt it and that is probably my largest concern with the group...pressuring the QB.
DL - BIG Advantage 2008 - 2007...ugh is the only word I can think of. Remember that Raider game and the holes a Greyhound bus could have drove through? Thank god that seems to be over. Like the OL, Parcells/Ireland have fixed the problem seemingly overnight. Ferguson seems to be the real deal. The rooks Merling and Langford are impressive and could both easily start. Holliday will once again be good as well. Solia looks to be better and at times dominate. The jury is still out on his consitency and conditioning though. R Wright will probably make the team to give us a solid two deep rotation at all positions. Hopefully I am not wrong about the rookies.
Overall, I give the advantage to the 2008 Dolphins. I think key areas of improvement are QB, OL and DL. Those three keys can hide diffencies in other areas. It leaves me optimistic. I started the year thinking 4 wins. Dare I hope for 8? Could we be in the hunt come late December? While I refuse to get my hopes that high after last year, I love what the Trifecta has done thus far. I cannot wait for the season to begin and to see how they further mold the team in the draft of 2009!
IT IS TIME WE TAKE BACK WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS - THE AFC EAST!
QB - Advantage 2008. Sure we started with Green last year but we all knew he was one hit away from retirement. Thanks to the ill idvised cutback by Ginn Jr., it happened early in the season. On the positive note, we got to see Beck and Lemon play and realize they were not the answer. To start 2008 it looked like we might be in even worse shape than 2007 but thanks to good ole Brett Favre, the Packers, and the Jets, we FINALLY have somebody who is probably in the top half of the quarterbacks. Not only that, but it is easy to tell after watching Henne that we have found our future QB as well. His pocket presence, decisions, arm strength, footwork and accuracy will make us happy for many years to come. I like the Chad combo. Each runs great play action which has the potential to really open things up if our running game is as good as it should be.
RB - PUSH - We had Ricky, Ronnie and Chatman last year. That should have been one potent threesome. Unfortunately, injuries ruined everything. On a postiive note, it virtually assured us of getting the # pick overall and I wanted Jake Long 3 years ago. I still can't believe we got him. This year, once again Ricky and Ronnie return minus Chatman. Ricky comes in looking back to his Pro Bowl caliber while running looks tentative which is understandable coming off the knee injury. I like what I see from Parmalee thus far as well. Baring injures, we could surprise a lot of people on the ground.
FB - PUSH - I was routing for the Juggernaught but it looks like Grisby is the better option. I would not consider this position a weakness or a strength yet. I need to see more.
WR - Advantage 2007 - Chambers, Booker and Ginn should have equated to a decent air attack. Trading Chambers was the right move because we were going nowhere and he was getting close to 30. Now we have Ginn, Hagan and Bess as the penciled in starters. Anthony has also shined lately. While I am very intrigued to see if these youngsters can do what we need this year, it is definitely one of the main areas of concern. This group does have the potential to turn into a strength especially with good quarterbacking but right now it must be considered a weakness. That being said, I would like to stand pat see what we have. Give the young guys a chance and if we need to, fix it next year during the draft or free agency.
TE - Slight Advantage 2008 - We still have Martin but we added Fasano. Like the FB position, I need to see a lot more to form an opinion this year. Last year was pretty weak so this year had better be an improvement. I am a Peele fan myself so I am pulling for him.
OL - BIG Advantage 2008 - It is amazing to see what the Trifecta has done. I am a true believer that games are usually won in the trenches and we FINALLY have talent evaluators that get it. Spending the #1 pick on Jake was the best thing they could have done. That moves Carey back to where he plays best, maybe at a pro bowl level. If there is one thing Cam did give us, that is Satelle. Add Smiley and the surprise 6th round Thomas at guard who seems to not only be holding his own but getting the better of defenders, and this line might not only be the youngest OL in football, but the best. If that happens, and I think it will, it should improve the production at every single offensive position.
Offensive Advantage 2008.
Now for the denfense...
Secondary - PUSH - It kind of looks the same at the start of both years. Only difference being like the RB position, injuries decimated us last year. It will be very interesting to see if Jason Allen can live up to his draft status and if Bell can return from a severe injury. Early signs look positive. Sparano said he is happy with the secondary. I am not sure I totally agree but it may not be as bad as I first thought. The key will be getting a decent pass rush. I think these guys are good enough for a short amount of time. Let the QB scan the field and they are going to be in trouble.
LB - Big Advantage 2007 - No JT. No Zach. Wow, but letting each of them go was the right move. Parcells/Ireland did a great job getting a 2nd round pick for JT all things considered. That being said, Zach ended up getting hurt and the LB's last year didn't seem to help our pathetic run defense. This year we have some free agents starting who we are not too familiar with. While I don't think they will stack up to last year, they might be much better than I first though. During the preseason Crowder is playing his best ball to date. I like what I saw in Torbor and Adwelkue (forgive spelling) as well. Porter has me worried with his nagging back injuries and Roth has me intrigued. He could dominate TE's with his strength. Pass coverage has me scared though. Finally, can Anderson and Moses pick up the JT sack count? I doubt it and that is probably my largest concern with the group...pressuring the QB.
DL - BIG Advantage 2008 - 2007...ugh is the only word I can think of. Remember that Raider game and the holes a Greyhound bus could have drove through? Thank god that seems to be over. Like the OL, Parcells/Ireland have fixed the problem seemingly overnight. Ferguson seems to be the real deal. The rooks Merling and Langford are impressive and could both easily start. Holliday will once again be good as well. Solia looks to be better and at times dominate. The jury is still out on his consitency and conditioning though. R Wright will probably make the team to give us a solid two deep rotation at all positions. Hopefully I am not wrong about the rookies.
Overall, I give the advantage to the 2008 Dolphins. I think key areas of improvement are QB, OL and DL. Those three keys can hide diffencies in other areas. It leaves me optimistic. I started the year thinking 4 wins. Dare I hope for 8? Could we be in the hunt come late December? While I refuse to get my hopes that high after last year, I love what the Trifecta has done thus far. I cannot wait for the season to begin and to see how they further mold the team in the draft of 2009!
IT IS TIME WE TAKE BACK WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS - THE AFC EAST!
