Dolphins Are A Playoff Team This Year

[TheWalrus]

We both agree that in a passing offense Albert, if healthy, is a large upgrade over anyone we had at LT last year right?

If healthy, sure. But that's a big if. The problem is I don't consider an upgrade at LT to be worth all that much, honestly. It's a position of vastly overstated importance.

I would be so bold to also suggest that we probably both agree that Tannehill will have better chemistry with Gibson, Wallace and Clay than last year at this time. Right?

Maybe. It remains to be seen whether Gibson is going to be on this team this year. The Landry pick strikes me as directed straight at Gibson (rather than Hartline, as most people seem to think). In any case "chemistry" is also a bit of an overstated thing. Give me talent and scheme/style fit over "chemistry" any day. In the case of our $12 million dollar receiver he doesn't have much talent, is an abysmal scheme fit and as a bonus also has no chemistry with the QB. And the "chemistry" isn't even being worked on because Wallace isn't working out with Tannehill.

I think Clay pretty much showed what he's capable of last year. I would consider it a victory if he looks as good this year as he looked over the second half of the season last year. There's a natural regression that tends to happen after breakout years -- for a number of reasons -- so if he can avoid that I'm happy.

As I mentioned in my previous post, and many others on this site, I'm not nearly as impressed with Shelley Smith, JuWuan James, and Billy Turner as most on this site. Smith graded worse than either of our OG's last year, Turner is making a big jump up in quality along with a slight position change, and I do t like James' work ethic or technique (inconsistent and sloppy). But, we had the worst pair of OT's last year, an that will not be the case this year. It's our OG's that are more problematic at the moment.

So, not sure which part you disagree with TheWalrus, except the expected improvement of Tannehill.

I think Tannehill will continue to improve, though to be honest I think he's already playing pretty well. I just don't see where the talent around him -- both on offense and defense and in the coaching booth -- has improved very much. A lot is being placed on Bill Lazor but it strikes me as a bit empty.

 

[rainmaker1313]

until we learn to dominate our division, we are going 8-8. We need to go 5-1 division and then we can talk playoffs. last year we lost to the Jets and Bills back to back when we were much better then both of them to miss the playoffs.
inexcusable

 

[FinfanInBuffalo]

just one terrible game, or even one bad decision in the final minute of a game is one too many for a franchise caliber QB.

I guess there are no franchise caliber QBs then. Can we at least be realistic? I refer you to the performance of HOF QB Peyton Manning in the SB and Tom Brady's performance against Miami in their first meeting.

 

[FinfanInBuffalo]

For all the claims of "homerism" against the Tannehill supporters (like me), IMO, it is the Tannehill bashers that are the true homers. I cannot fathom how the anti-Tannehill crowd cannot see the lack of talent that surrounded him on offense. Just idiotic. In this offseason, they will replace 5 or 6 starters on offense. I find it hard to believe that any playoff caliber team is in the process of replacing half of their offensive starters and much of their offensive depth.

 

[roy_miami]

until we learn to dominate our division, we are going 8-8. We need to go 5-1 division and then we can talk playoffs. last year we lost to the Jets and Bills back to back when we were much better then both of them to miss the playoffs.
inexcusable

We were much better? Evidently we weren't. We were hoping we would be much better because those guys were playing unknowns at QB and our version of Tom Brady was going to take them to school. Our Tom Brady played good in one of those games and we killed them but he played like complete dog**** the other three.

 

[JTech194]

What concerns me is all the new pieces AND a new offensive coordinator. May take some time for these guys to learn the system and each other. 9-7

 

[BlueFin]

On paper there is no doubt this is an improved football team that addressed most of their problems from 2013. Obviously......that means nothing if it doesn't all come together on the field and there is always the injury factor. Below are the reasons I believe this is an improved football team with reason to believe the playoffs are a realistic goal.

1) Ryan Tannehill's continued development as a QB, He has improved each season and there is every reason to believe it will continue...this includes more experience with his receiving corp and being more in sync, improved long ball timing as well as an improved offensive system under Lazor that takes more advantage of his skillset.

2) Knowshon Moreno......he will greatly upgrade the pass protect and be a more reliable all around back. I still think Miller can have an important role with his explosiveness as well.

3) Landry along with #2 above will improve the receiving corp...I also expect the young tight ends on this team to keep getting better as they gain experience.

4) No one can even question if the O-line should not be greatly improved this year, we did not have one good tackle last year...we now may have two. Hopefully the young inexperienced guards can get it done...that is the biggest question mark on this line.

5) Dion Jordan should have a much greater impact on this defense and the pass rush this year, along with more pressure from the middle with the addition of Earl Mitchell.

6) I would like to think after what happened last year the linebacking corp has a big chip on their shoulders...there is some youth with potential there as well and maybe somebody steps up there.

7) Unlike some, I see great improvement and attitude in the secondary....Grimes is Grimes, there is a nice competition set up for the other starting spot and even if Taylor or somebody steps up and wins it...I see great value in Finnegan as a slot corner in any event. Delmas is an upgrade over Clemmons for sure...not sure where all the love for Clemmons comes from? Overall I like the infusion of talent and depth and most of all attitude in the secondary.

So...barring a rash of injuries, I really like Miami's chances to take this division...I really do.

 

[nyjunc]

I think you will have a chance.

---------- Post added at 10:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 AM ----------

We were much better? Evidently we weren't. We were hoping we would be much better because those guys were playing unknowns at QB and our version of Tom Brady was going to take them to school. Our Tom Brady played good in one of those games and we killed them but he played like complete dog**** the other three.

Much more talented, you should have been able to beat one of those teams but that is in the rearview mirror. if this team can put that collapse behind them they can be a playoff team but that isn't always easy.

 

[greasyObnoxious]

if Tannehill takes another step in his development then absolutely we're in the mix for the playoffs

 

[scodoublet]

If i had to decide with one word, I'd say YES, Miami makes the playoffs.
There are a lot of ifs and maybes that could sway that, but in one word I'm saying Miami gets it done!

 

[roy_miami]

Much more talented, you should have been able to beat one of those teams but that is in the rearview mirror. if this team can put that collapse behind them they can be a playoff team but that isn't always easy.

If we were much more talented our GMs name would still be Jeff Ireland instead of Dennis Hickey.

 

[nyjunc]

If we were much more talented our GMs name would still be Jeff Ireland instead of Dennis Hickey.

someone had to take the fall for the collapse but you were more talent and it wasn't really that close. defensively we were close, offensively we weren't. w/ a rookie QB that wasn't ready to the weapons(or lack of) that we had around him.

 

[roy_miami]

someone had to take the fall for the collapse but you were more talent and it wasn't really that close. defensively we were close, offensively we weren't. w/ a rookie QB that wasn't ready to the weapons(or lack of) that we had around him.

The late season collapse was a result of the turnstiles we had out there trying to block Buffalo's d-line, i.e. a lack of talent.

 

[nyjunc]

The late season collapse was a result of the turnstiles we had out there trying to block Buffalo's o-line, i.e. a lack off talent.

no it wasn't, that is the excuse. Obviously you needed to upgrade the OL but your Ol was pretty good the 2nd half of the year, they struggled at Buffalo but they dominated our DL which was one of the best in the league. You should have been a playoff team a year ago. whether it was talent, coaching or whatever you couldn't get it done. I like what you have done on paper, is Philbin capable of leading them there? can they overcome the collapse mentally? those are my questions, if they come up positive I expect you'll make it.

 

[roy_miami]

no it wasn't, that is the excuse. Obviously you needed to upgrade the OL but your Ol was pretty good the 2nd half of the year, they struggled at Buffalo but they dominated our DL which was one of the best in the league. You should have been a playoff team a year ago. whether it was talent, coaching or whatever you couldn't get it done. I like what you have done on paper, is Philbin capable of leading them there? can they overcome the collapse mentally? those are my questions, if they come up positive I expect you'll make it.

Yes it is an excuse, just like you make excuses for Rex Ryan only finishing 8-8 because of a lack of talent. Buffalo's d-line destroyed our QB, literally, making your d-lines performance moot.