Contrary to mainstream media opinion, Dolphins are the team to beat in the AFC East | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Contrary to mainstream media opinion, Dolphins are the team to beat in the AFC East

hugoguzman

hugoguzman

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"They’ll speak to the return of Tom Brady, to the genius of Bill Belichick and the general Super Bowl pedigree in Foxboro, and in the end, they’ll proclaim the Patriots as the preseason favorite to win the AFC East. However, as far as I’m concerned, that’s just plain silly.

I have four primary reasons for feeling this way, which I will elaborate on in somewhat succinct fashion..."

http://www.realfootball365.com/articles/dolphins/14143

Hope you all enjoy it!
 
Poorly written and void of any substance.

They’ll speak to the return of Tom Brady, to the genius of Bill Belichick and the general Super Bowl pedigree in Foxboro, and in the end, they’ll proclaim the Patriots as the preseason favorite to win the AFC East. However, as far as I’m concerned, that’s just plain silly.
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In this one sentence you actually make a better arguement for the Pats to be the favorite then anything written later. The Dolphins are one year removed from a 1-15 season, tied New England's record when they didn't have Brady yet won the division and somehow that negates the last 10 years of their dominance?

1) Chad Pennington – say what you will about his noodle arm, the fact is that he’s one of the steadiest signal callers in the NFL. As long as he stays healthy, the Dolphins will win their fair share of football games
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Ched Pennington isn't Brady.

2) Bill Parcells – There’s no doubt that the brain trust in New England is top notch, but Miami is run by the guy that helped mold that brain trust’s methodology. He’s put the right coaching staff in place and has spent two offseasons rebuilding the roster’s talent pool, so chances are that Miami will only build on their 2008 campaign as opposed to regressing.
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Key word.... rebuilding. Miami still needs a couple years for their line to to jell, a dominate NT and ROLB, a number one WR, and a leader and playmaker at ILB.

3) The Dolphins are the defending champs – I know that it sounds simplistic and archaic, but the bottom line is that Miami secured the AFC East crown a year ago, so as far as I’m concerned, it would be silly to overlook them when determining the team to beat in the division.
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This is the best you got? I could think of 10 better reasons in a heartbeat. By the way using the word "silly" twice in such a short article is just plain silly:hump:

4) Basic NFL common sense – the reality is that any sort of prediction on the long-term results of the NFL season is fundamentally flawed. Why? Because it’s impossible to account for injuries (think Tom Brady a season ago) as well as general player and team improvement/regression. It’s why teams like the Cleveland Browns go from playoff contender to divisional cellar dweller while supposed doormats like the Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons ascend to divisional glory.
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So after claiming in the headline "The dolphins are the team to beat in the AFC East," your 4th and last reason for your prediction is that predictions are flawed anyway. :crazy: Wow, way to make an arguement.

I understand that it is fun to make predictions and debate them, but all these "no respect" and "we are the champ" threads really have little value. Thank god training camp is only a week away.
 
Decleater said:
Poorly written and void of any substance.



In this one sentence you actually make a better arguement for the Pats to be the favorite then anything written later. The Dolphins are one year removed from a 1-15 season, tied New England's record when they didn't have Brady yet won the division and somehow that negates the last 10 years of their dominance?



Ched Pennington isn't Brady.



Key word.... rebuilding. Miami still needs a couple years for their line to to jell, a dominate NT and ROLB, a number one WR, and a leader and playmaker at ILB.



This is the best you got? I could think of 10 better reasons in a heartbeat. By the way using the word "silly" twice in such a short article is just plain silly:hump:



So after claiming in the headline "The dolphins are the team to beat in the AFC East," your 4th and last reason for your prediction is that predictions are flawed anyway. :crazy: Wow, way to make an arguement.

I understand that it is fun to make predictions and debate them, but all these "no respect" and "we are the champ" threads really have little value. Thank god training camp is only a week away.
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You know what they say...you've really made it when you have a few bashers!

P.S. You sound like a real literary critic...would love to check out your volumes of work.
 
I usually enjoy your work Hugo. Usually when I disagree with you your defenses for your opinions are well thought out and logical.

That said; I think you've got to know this is probably your poorest effort I've read. I mean...It's not even close to the caliber of work you usually do.

Point 1: You list Pennington as the reason we, not NE is the team to best. Whatever you say about Pennington, you can say about Brady, except twofold. Brady has performed at an admirable level on the largest stage in sports, and has done it on multiple occasions. He's every bit the QB Pennington is, and more.
Advantage; NE.

Point 2: Parcells is a great football mind, without question. Bellicheck is just as much the football mind. Bellicheck also has more rings. You might say that Parcells is the teacher to Bellicheck being the student....But look at it this way; Einstein had a teacher, did he not? Who remembers THAT guy?
Advantage; Push at best

Point 3: What we did last year means nothing. We made an admirable turnaround, and we won the AFC East. Well, the year prior, NE won the AFC East, and, the AFC. Look where it got them last year. As the Germans say; "Machts nichts"
Advantage:--Irrelevant

Point 4: Noone can predict what's going to happen. Well, that's true...So, we can't really say Miami is the team to beat either, can we?
Advantage: Irrelevant

By your own post, it seems to me that the Patriots are, in fact, the team to beat measured on head to head criteria.
 
I am not bashing you Hugo, I am bashing your article. Just take the criticism and do better next time.
 
Miami finished 11-5

New England finished 11-5

Advantage: Tie....until you consider the fact that the Patriots did it without Tom Brady......*Tie Breaker*


Miami hung 38 points on New England at home

New England hung 48 points on Miami at home.....without Tom Brady

Advantage: New England



Miami was busy going winless....while New England was busy going undefeated.....only 2 seasons ago....WITH Tom Brady....

Advantage: New England


(I'm beginning to see a pattern here)



New England has made as many superbowls appearances in the last 8 years as Miami has had head coaches.....

Advantage: umm.....New England




Miami is finally on the right track

New England has BEEN on the right track

Advantage: New England


The point?

These guys didn't just suddenly forget how to win football games up there....Miami is RE-learning how to win football games again....

Miami better toss those "division champs" hats in the bottom of the closet real fast....because the going gets a helluva lot tougher from here....
 
this post was stupid... and had no Real points..

i'd of used something along the lines of Ted ginn is in his 3rd year, Ronnie Brown is on a Contract Year. Davone bess is a competitor. Chad pennington wants to play for a new contract and prove hes not injury prone...

not "we are the champs" guess what the patriots where the champs 2 years ago.. yes right before we where
 
Surprised to hear this feedback. That's probably what I get for picking a topic based on a fan's request (I got an email asking that I take on this topic and had to oblige).

@GoonBoss - can't say that I see where you're coming from here, but I respect your opinions. A couple of quick rebuttals.

-The point of the article is not to bash Brady, but to reinforce Pennington and his effect on the team (mind you, he'll actually have the offseason and training camp to get up to speed this time around).

-Saying that the team who won the division the year before is irrelevant is a bit of a stretch, especially when the team in question is more or less as strong or stronger across the board. Also, the point here is that you have to respect the defending champ. Nothing more, nothing less. That's a fairly well-recognized standpoint.

-Point No. 4 is a not-so-subtle jab at mainstream sites that publish these predictions to begin with. As you know, I'm not known for these types of long-term prediction pieces, because I don't believe that they hold water. Therefore, I felt that it was valid to point out that this is yet another reason why mainstreamers should withhold from crowning New England. Heck, for all we know, the Jets will come out of nowhere and win the division.

In any case, it's no biggie...training camp will be here soon and I can get back to my usual routine of analyzing actual on-field play.

So if there's one thing you, me, and everyone else can agree on...it's that we can't wait for the season to begin!
 
I bet if you asked each of our Coaches to a man, are we a better team RIGHT NOW than at any point last season, each of them would give a resounding NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. How can anyone with a clear logical mind not see that this team is heading quickly in the direction of being special, really special. I remember Tony Sparano mentioning something to the effect that last offseasons OTA's didnt even resemble football, and to think we still ended up Division Champs with the Greatest turnaround in NFL history for a 1 win team the previous year. I get goosebumps really when i think of how quickly
this ENTIRE organization changed before our Very eyes, Thank You Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland, Tony Sparano, all coaches and support staff who are responsible for putting that WINNING culture back into our Beloved Dolphins, i'll bet somewhere Coach Shula is smiling ear to ear knowing the Dolphins are in GOOD HANDS.
 
Come on guys- I don't know any place where there's as much optimism and blind faith as on this site and sites like this- we're fans, after all. The article tries to make the point that the Fins are defending champs and should be treated as such. What's the big deal? Yes, Hugo has written better articles, but Jeez, this feedback is harsh- maybe a simple "thank you" would play better. There's not exactly a wealth of reading material in this dead time before training camp opens, so I for one am appreciating whatever I can get.

Personally, I do think that the Pats are the favorite, but that's just me. But there's no need to bash a guy for coming out with an article like that- again, this is the dead of summer pre-camp, not exactly fertile ground for cranking out the best topics and writing one can muster. Hugo, I disagree with you about the Pats and think that they are indeed the favorites, but thank you for providing something to read in this mind numbing pre-camp week, you've contributed more than most.
 
hugoguzman said:
Surprised to hear this feedback. That's probably what I get for picking a topic based on a fan's request (I got an email asking that I take on this topic and had to oblige).

@GoonBoss - can't say that I see where you're coming from here, but I respect your opinions. A couple of quick rebuttals.

-The point of the article is not to bash Brady, but to reinforce Pennington and his effect on the team (mind you, he'll actually have the offseason and training camp to get up to speed this time around).

-Saying that the team who won the division the year before is irrelevant is a bit of a stretch, especially when the team in question is more or less as strong or stronger across the board. Also, the point here is that you have to respect the defending champ. Nothing more, nothing less. That's a fairly well-recognized standpoint.

-Point No. 4 is a not-so-subtle jab at mainstream sites that publish these predictions to begin with. As you know, I'm not known for these types of long-term prediction pieces, because I don't believe that they hold water. Therefore, I felt that it was valid to point out that this is yet another reason why mainstreamers should withhold from crowning New England. Heck, for all we know, the Jets will come out of nowhere and win the division.

In any case, it's no biggie...training camp will be here soon and I can get back to my usual routine of analyzing actual on-field play.

So if there's one thing you, me, and everyone else can agree on...it's that we can't wait for the season to begin!
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Hugo, I know you well enough to not read into what you are saying. I know you weren't trying to bash Brady. I never maintained that you were. My whole point was, if you turn your argument for the Dolphins in the mirror (This is usually my litmus test for a valid opinion) and apply it to the Patriots, the Patriots come out ahead.

I didn't mean to bash Pennington by saying Brady was every bit the QB he was. The fact of the matter is, from the time Brady has stepped on the field, he's performed at a very high level. Pennington cannot say the same. I won't go intot he entirety of it...But you can't sit there in good faith and tell me that Pennington is a better QB throughout his career than Pennington. You just can't.

As far as us being the AFC East Champs..Yes, we are. But the year previous the Pats were even better, yet we edged them out (Without Brady) Being the champs of any given thing is fine. Certainly you get y
our respect for the accomplishment. When the pads go on, who was last year's champ doesn't matter.

You say that you point about predictions was a jab, so, I'm assumeing then that you are admitting it's a nothing point one way or the other. I happen to agree.

I can't understand how you can't see where I'm coming from. I really can't. You pretty made a very compelling argument for the Patriots being AFC East champs, if you simply take the criteria you used and reverse it.
 
Tough crowd!.. LOL..

But the argument for any favorite is pure speculation. Like summer power rankings. i predicted an 8-8 season last year. I think every team in the AFC East imporved this past offseason. Including us.. Coaching will make a HUGE difference. I would flip a coin at this point between us and the Pats. I expect the Pats to have chip on their shoulders losing the division to us. Regardless. I expect a great campaign from our team. I just want us to be in the hunt. Even the Wildard would make me happy.
 
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