Expect a backslide or improvement in 2009? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Expect a backslide or improvement in 2009?

Itiswhatitis

Itiswhatitis

Rookie
Joined
Oct 22, 2006
Messages
37
Reaction score
0
The Good News: The Fins first 8 games featured 35 wins between their opponents and we were still able to pull out a 4-4 record while being 2 plays away from 6-2. The second half of the season should prove much easier with only 24 wins combined for the teams we have to play as their records stand today. Potential for a 8, 9 or even a 10 win season and possible playoff birth are very real at the mid way point. Even the national medial is starting to jump on the Fin bandwagon stating that they are the front runners in the AFC East due to the 2nd half of their schedule.

The Bad News: Take a look at our non-divisional games next year. Ouch! While I expect the Fins to only get better in the offseason, this schedule is rough and will get even harder should we finish first in the AFC East this year. Then add the Steelers and either Broncos or Chargers (each pissed that we beat them this year) into the mix. I would not be surprised if even with a better team, the Fins struggle to reach the same win total in 2009 as they will in 2008.
Home Away
Intraconference by Division Houston Jacksonville
Indianapolis Tennessee
Interconference by Division New Orleans Atlanta
Tampa Bay Carolina
Intraconference by Position AFC-North AFC-West

My hope is that the year 2 offseason will improve this team enough where we can take on a schedule like this and still win like the truly top tier teams can.

Not too long ago the teams mentioned on our schedule in 2009 would have been considered a very easy schedule. Now they are all considered tough along with the AFC East in general.

Does anybody else predict a rough 2009 campaign compared to this year or are your thoughts that each year is a new year and the Fins should only improve and thus get more wins?
 
Yes...I knew that reply was coming. For those of you that only focus on the present, no need to respond. Ignore the thread. For those who like to think beyond the short term, I am interested in your opinions.
 
At this point, it looks tough. However when this season has finished and we start the next one, these teams that we have to play could turn out to be better or worse than they are at this point in time. But im enjoying 2008 at the moment, its so good to enjoy some sucess. :)
 
Wow....that's a crappy schedule for next year.

That being said.....Those are not the 2008 Falcons, Saints, Panthers, Bucs, Titans, etc.

Did you really expect the Titans to be 8-0 based on last season? How about the Falcons being 5-3? Or the Lions being winless (there was some talk of them being competitive after a 6-2 start last year)? How about the Colts at 4-4? Or the Chargers at 3-5?

My point? The performance of those teams this year has little relevance to next season. I'm sure people were cringing at the thought of playing Miami in 2006. We were SB bound....until the season started and we came out 0-4.

Just so you know....I'm not saying focus on the present. I like looking ahead. I just wanted to point this out before people go too crazy about the 'hard' schedule.
 
Itiswhatitis said:
Yes...I knew that reply was coming. For those of you that only focus on the present, no need to respond. Ignore the thread. For those who like to think beyond the short term, I am interested in your opinions.
Click to expand...

Sorry man, but this has little do with "thinking beyond the short term."

Attempting to predict anything in 2009 is one of the fundamental mistakes that fans make.

Teams shift in strength from season to season (think Atlanta, Miami, San Diego, Dallas, etc...) and injuries have a huge effect on things (think New England). Moreover, you can't predict what will happen in the draft or in free agency.

Lastly, since we don't know how this season will end (we're currently 4-4 and could end up anywhere from 4-12 to 12-4) how can anyone possible predict a backslide or improvement in 2009?

There will come a time to consider the 2009 season. Now is not that time. As any respectable handicapper will tell you, it's impossible to predict a win/loss two weeks from now, much less a year from now.
 
I fully expect Miami to win the Super Bowl this year, beating whatever opponent they face by at LEAST 80 points. Anything less will be utter disappointment.
 
Look at Pitts shedule this year, it's suppose to be brutal and their 6-2. That's what happens when your a solid football team, it doesn't matter who you play when those teams fear you. With our FO and the way we're playing now it won't take long for teams to not want us on their shedules. If you fear a shedule then how do you expect to win a superbowl!!!! Bring it on!
 
even though i only take one game at a time...i'll go out on a limb here and say we'll be even more improved in 09 than we are now...
 
How can anyone project what hasn't happened? If you can give me a factual baseline, then I could give an informed opinion.
 
GoonBoss said:
How can anyone project what hasn't happened? If you can give me a factual baseline, then I could give an informed opinion.
Click to expand...

Taken litterally, then nobody should predict any games until they have been played since they have not happened.

This is a gut feeling thread based on what we know today, what we think will transpire the rest of the year, and finally the confidence or lack thereof for continued offseason improvement.

Sorry, I just can't help myself I guess. I was asked to take a strength finders test at work and one of my main 5 was "futuristic". It is a disease... :up:
 
not after we sign every free agent and get the steal of the draft next year and tom brady gets arrested for smoking crack, and peyton gets arrested for fighting dogs..
who knows what is going to happen.
Backslide or not this team is fun to watch again and no matter who the team we play is we are going to compete
 
cafinfan408 said:
Backslide or not this team is fun to watch again and no matter who the team we play is we are going to compete
Click to expand...

They are fun to watch again. I think somebody else posted this is the first time in 5 years (2003) that we have been .500 at the half way point. In other words, for the last 5 years, the season was already over. Ugh.
 
Itiswhatitis said:
Yes...I knew that reply was coming. For those of you that only focus on the present, no need to respond. Ignore the thread. For those who like to think beyond the short term, I am interested in your opinions.
Click to expand...

I said in another thread thst if the Phins over achieve this year with a very easy sked, i could see a step back next year when playing a much tougher one. You cant really win, you win games this year, and you get a harder sked. At the same time, its nice to finally see some wins.
 
You think anyone is thrilled to know the Miami Dolphins, in year 2, is on their schedule's. Uh uh.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom