Dolphins could make the playoffs this year.

[yoge]

Remember last year how we were considered a team that was going to make some noise and make a deep playoff run? Well, this year, we are projected to have a losing record and miss out on the playoffs. My point here is, you don't go by what the experts are saying. Every team is 0-0 right now and every team has a chance to be a contender for a playoff spot. We have young, up and coming coaches, loaded with talent on offense and defense. I don't see why we can't be better than the Bills or Jets and at least sneak in as a wild card.

What do you all think?

 

[Tannchise]

I think because we were blessed with Marino for 17 seasons, we had to go through the same amount of punishment. So this maybe the last year of torture

 

[biggrouper]

i think we are going to be better than people think but i am not convinced that it will translate into enough wins to get us into the playoffs this year.

 

[yoge]

I think because we were blessed with Marino for 17 seasons, we had to go through the same amount of punishment. So this maybe the last year of torture

17 years ago Marino retired? Will #17 make the torture stop this year?

 

[Sherif]

If you can't beat Vegas join em. I voted 7-9

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

I've read that a new coach is good for an average of like one and a half wins, and we might get New England once without Brady, so I'm being generous and giving this team an 8-8.

 

[Martel13]

I think we will be better than most think unfortunately thats still 8-8 lol

 

[gofins60]

Philbin and Lazor wanted finesse, and finesse got them diddly. Everything I'm reading about Gase says that he wants an offense that's more college-style finesse than old-school smash-mouth. This team needs to become a tough, physically dominating team on both sides of the ball... the type of team that no one wants to play. Finesse (and a weak O-line) does not work against the D-lines of the AFC East, so I predict 5-11.

 

[FSU Truth]

I think because we were blessed with Marino for 17 seasons, we had to go through the same amount of punishment. So this maybe the last year of torture

Blessed with one super bowl appearance and 0 super bowl wins....granted it is obviously not on him has he is one of the greats, but I doubt we are paying a penance for his time here.

Anywho...

I'm always optimistic...with some protection I have no doubt we can score some point with RT leading the O..the issue is how well will the defense come together and will key players on that side of the ball step up.

 

[DefensiveEnd76]

I think 8-8 is the ceiling with this team. We still have too many holes and a new coaching staff etc.

 

[uk_dolfan]

We will have a top 10 pick.

The D is still a mess

 

[MDFINFAN]

I think 8-8 is the ceiling with this team. We still have too many holes and a new coaching staff etc.

Question, do we have holes or unknowns. I think we have unknowns. I can't say right now that the perceived holes aren't fix with our unknowns. We have players at every position. I just think we don't know who steps up and fix our perceive holes. I didn't know Jenkins would step up in 2014 and fix that hole when our starting OLB went down in the first game that year. I didn't know if Miller would step up when we decided not to retain Bush. I didn't know if R. Jones would step up as a 5th round draftee to be who he is today. I didn't know Laundry would be such a dynamic slot receiver. For me we have unknowns, and may not have holes.

 

[Gonzo]

If we had more depth on the O-line and better coaching, we had the talent on offense to make a run last year. The only question mark for me this year is the defense, in particular the secondary and LBs, both starting and especially depth-wise. The only things that keep me from saying this is a playoff team. Also would like more depth at RB, but not as imperative as the secondary and LBs.

 

[LDaniel7]

If we had more depth on the O-line and better coaching, we had the talent on offense to make a run last year. The only question mark for me this year is the defense, in particular the secondary and LBs, both starting and especially depth-wise. The only things that keep me from saying this is a playoff team. Also would like more depth at RB, but not as imperative as the secondary and LBs.

I'm of the minority opinion that Miller is going to be acutely missed.

And also of the minority opinion that the OL is not yet fixed.

And a lot of question marks on D and a lot of IFs depending on hurt players getting better.

This keeps me from seeing 9-7 or better.

8-8 unless OL gells w. Dallas Thomas cut, and LBs materialize and CBs grow into the job.

LD

 

[Gonzo]

I'm of the minority opinion that Miller is going to be acutely missed.

And also of the minority opinion that the OL is not yet fixed.

And a lot of question marks on D and a lot of IFs depending on hurt players getting better.

This keeps me from seeing 9-7 or better.

8-8 unless OL gells w. Dallas Thomas cut, and LBs materialize and CBs grow into the job.

LD

I won't go down the Miller rabbit hole, always ends in a lot of "dislikes."

As for the line, I think we've improved dramatically over last year, if only because of Tunsil falling into their laps. The starting line is set to be quite good, IMO. The question is how long they play together before the first injury. Albert already has the injury-prone tag and Pouncey and James are working on earning it. The disregard for building legitimate depth and finding starting guards by this FO during the offseason is mind-boggling. That being said, I have hope for Douglas if he is played in his natural position and/or given more time to develop as a backup Center. I also don't think Turner played as terrible as others say and was negatively impacted when put next to a guy who has never played center in his life.

LBs and CBs don't don't even have my confidence in the starting lineup, let alone in depth. As you said, WAY too many "ifs".