You're the one who created the thread. If you don't want it pointed out that you have no perspective on the fact that these kinds of threads are a dime a dozen not just on this board but on every team's board... and that you don't know how the rest of the league has improved their rosters -- which you seem to admit -- then don't create threads that declare us to be a playoff team.
Dolphins Are A Playoff Team This Year
- Thread starter So Be
- Start date
You're the one who created the thread. If you don't want it pointed out that you have no perspective on the fact that these kinds of threads are a dime a dozen not just on this board but on every team's board... and that you don't know how the rest of the league has improved their rosters -- which you seem to admit -- then don't create threads that declare us to be a playoff team.
nyashfan
For Earth Below
I've never said it before! Last year the Patriots were a power running team. I think the loss of Blount is huge. I just don't see their offense having enough weapons to be dominant either in the running game or passing game. Look how pedestrian the Patriots looked in the AFC title game when the Broncos shut down their running game- and that occurred in the 1st half while the game was close. Plus their defense generated no pressure on Manning and couldn't get off the field.
Unfortunately, there are serious concerns whether the Dolphins will have improved their run defense enough to handle the Patriots. That being said, other teams, such as the Jets, will be able to.
Unfortunately, there are serious concerns whether the Dolphins will have improved their run defense enough to handle the Patriots. That being said, other teams, such as the Jets, will be able to.
JTC111
Viva la resistance!!!
They'll run if they can run but Brady is still Brady until he shows us differently. If the Pats fall from grace as we rise, I'll be cheering right along side of you. But all the people making predictions about the Pats demise the past few years have come up empty when the season is actually played.
nyashfan
For Earth Below
I also think that the change in culture instigated by Hickey will translate to a couple of wins that last year were wins which turned into losses. Bringing in leaders like Finnegan and Delmas who bring toughness and a willingness to tackle will hopefully permeate throughout the defense. This influx of leadership and attitude just might prevent the end-of-season collapse that occurred last year. This, plus Tannehill being sacked say 30-35 times instead of 58 has to translate to a win or two somewhere.
Another reason for optimism for improvement is that last year's 8-8 record was not inflated by a weak schedule nor a fluky positive turnover margin. The record was a fair reflection of their talent. Compare that with the 2008 team whose record was inflated by a very easy schedule AND an abnormally large turnover margin--it was clear that the 11-5 record was not sustainable, Brady's return and Pennington's injury notwithstanding.
Another reason for optimism for improvement is that last year's 8-8 record was not inflated by a weak schedule nor a fluky positive turnover margin. The record was a fair reflection of their talent. Compare that with the 2008 team whose record was inflated by a very easy schedule AND an abnormally large turnover margin--it was clear that the 11-5 record was not sustainable, Brady's return and Pennington's injury notwithstanding.
nyashfan
For Earth Below
To me, the Patriots' regression has started. My concern is that the Dolphins may not yet be a team that is ready to take advantage. But, as an example, the Bengals matched up well with them and manhandled the Patriots last year. I believe more and more teams will control the Patriots this year, even if their division opponents are not yet there.
JTC111
Viva la resistance!!!
Yeah, because they only made it as far as the AFC Championship Game last year. I wish we could regress like that.
This has to be, without any doubt, the most rational and truthful post I have seen in months on this board. After a questionable free agent period and a draft that is being universally panned we see the same so called expert posters making the same irrationally overoptimistic claims that they have mistakenly made for the last decade and a half. While past result do not guarantee the future, we can see from these so called expert posters that they have a history of irrational overoptimism.
Half of the posts on this thread have contained a variation of the phrase "things can not get worse". I will repeat my standard answer to this phrase. If you think things can't get any worse it is simply because you lack imagination. This is the NFL. Things can get worse. They get worse for teams all the time. Injuries epidemics happen. Players that we are depending on to improve may have already reached their ceilings. Team chemistry can implode. It happens all the time. Mediocre teams become bad teams. Bad teams become awful teams. And it is more likely that this could happen than it is that the Dolphins will win the next Super Bowl.
An honest assessment of the Dolphins upcoming season will admit that they could easily go 10-6. They could just as easily go 5-11. The schedule is tougher than last year and the defense is arguably not as good. The offense is nothing but a big question mark. And the team has a recent history of choking when things get tough.
So, reign in the irrationally overoptimistic assessment and have a discussion that is backed by factual argument. Don't just assume Tannehill will be better next year. Tell us why we should expect this.
roy_miami
2020 cant get here soon enough
I think the Patriots will be better if anything, all those rookie WRs they had last year should be better up to speed and their D should be better too. Week one isn't a bad time to get them though with Gronk and Browner out. Plus Brady doesn't play well at SunLife and the unknowns of Jordan, Taylor/Davis and Finnegan will play into our favor. I think we have about a 50/50 shot at getting the W week one.
nyashfan
For Earth Below
And they also lost a critical December game to the Dolphins that cost them home field advantage. And let's be fair that this was a Dolphins team whose OL by then was decimated and got manhandled by the Bills and Jets, far inferior competition.
Yes, the Patriots made the AFC championship game. But all of the other AFC East teams had either a rookie QB or a 2nd year QB who got sacked 58 times. Tannehill should be much improved going into his 3rd year, especially considering ALL of the offseason emphasis on providing him with improved protection, not just at OL but at RB with Moreno. Of course the Patriots are the preseason AFC East favorite. I'm just not envisioning a 12-4 or 13-3 record with 5 division wins pencilled in for them.
Yes, the Patriots made the AFC championship game. But all of the other AFC East teams had either a rookie QB or a 2nd year QB who got sacked 58 times. Tannehill should be much improved going into his 3rd year, especially considering ALL of the offseason emphasis on providing him with improved protection, not just at OL but at RB with Moreno. Of course the Patriots are the preseason AFC East favorite. I'm just not envisioning a 12-4 or 13-3 record with 5 division wins pencilled in for them.
JTC111
Viva la resistance!!!
They were laden with injuries last year and lost an a-hole to a murder charge. They'll heal, retool, and they still have Tom Brady.
Like I said, I've been hearing this for years and it still hasn't come true.
It is true that this type of thread pops up every year. It is also true that threads pop up every year claiming the Dolphins are the worst team in the league and will be lucky to win any games. Is there much of a difference between the people picking 10 wins and those predicting 4 or 5 wins? This team can be a playoff team, they might also have a losing record, no one can truly be certain.
I never understood why people who are positive in May are viewed in a bad light, especially when we really don't know what will happen until months from now. I always choose to be more optimistic and positive in the offseason because if the team is bad there is plenty of time to be sad and complain during the season. Whether you have a positive outlook or negative outlook in May it isn't going to change things come September. Let people be excited for something they enjoy and love. Nothing wrong with it. Even if you hate Hickey and Philbin and want them gone after this year doesn't mean you have to be in a poor attitude all Summer. There is hope with this team, eat it up now. If they suck, let them know it then. If you don't want to have even the slightest positive view that is fine also, but don't rip or insult those that choose the opposite route.
I never understood why people who are positive in May are viewed in a bad light, especially when we really don't know what will happen until months from now. I always choose to be more optimistic and positive in the offseason because if the team is bad there is plenty of time to be sad and complain during the season. Whether you have a positive outlook or negative outlook in May it isn't going to change things come September. Let people be excited for something they enjoy and love. Nothing wrong with it. Even if you hate Hickey and Philbin and want them gone after this year doesn't mean you have to be in a poor attitude all Summer. There is hope with this team, eat it up now. If they suck, let them know it then. If you don't want to have even the slightest positive view that is fine also, but don't rip or insult those that choose the opposite route.
Yes. The people who pick 4 or 5 wins are far more rare and as a result get flamed by most posters.
Viewed in a bad light by whom? It's the prevailing view on this forum and on every forum for every team that this is the year the next step is going to be taken. Don't pretend you're some kind of victim here, because you're not.
Of course it doesn't change anything. But the people who tend to be optimistic in May tend to take the positive view from every preseason game and ever regular season game.
We were only a play away. If only *fill in the blank* would have happened. The refs screwed us.
There's never any accountability by these people. This time when the team "sucks" and we're supposed to let them hear it... those people never do that.
It's a public forum. If someone wants to offer the opinion that the status quo of mediocrity is going to change and they don't offer anything substantive as to why, why should I act like the parent of a grade schooler who doesn't say anything when a child says that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny actually exist? Especially when their opinion is laced with the suggestion as there's no such thing as their opinion being wrong?
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Some people take the internet too seriously.
nyashfan
For Earth Below
As was mentioned, the Dolphins are fortunate to play them Week #1 at home with a 1:00pm kickoff in the heat. Can't ask for a better opportunity.
Agreed, best time to get them for the home game. Heat, likely no Gronk, and the Pats lately have seemed rusty in openers. Good chance for the Dolphins to earn the W.