PROUDMONKEY
Practice Squad
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I have written many favorable and optimistic articles about my dreams and hopes for the season and with Trent Green now officially on board, I see lots of possibilities for this stagnant offense to make tremendous strides in the 2007 campaign due to Greens ability to manage the offense and avoid sacks behind a young line with his smarts and quick release. Green will keep the offense moving the chains. We were ranked like 31st last year on offense, so there is only one way to go but up!
I will be taking a quick look at the Dolphins 10 individual matchups outside the AFC East. My theory for the results against the AFC is an optimistic 3-3 campaign. I say optimistic because the Dolphins are 5-13 in the last 3 seasons against the Jets, Pats, and Bills. Lets just say my predictions for these six games is a 3-3 record, I don’t know who or where the wins will occur, I'm just going with 3-3.
You should know that I am a big believer in momentum and revenge factors having influences on NFL match ups and this is why I feel the Pats will sweep Miami this year. The first match up this year is in Miami, and I know darn well that the Pats have not forgotten about that 21-0 shutout Miami delivered to them last year in Miami. So Pats will have payback on their minds on this game. Week 16 is at frigid New England, and I don’t see us going up there and winning this game especially since most likely the Pats will have a playoff bye week on the line.
In 2005, Miami ended their 6 game winning streak at New England in week 17. Brady played one quarter, they had nothing to play for so they rested, not that Miami would not have won anyway, I just wish this years match up would be week 17 instead of 16. So for Miami to get to 3-3 in AFC East play, they will have to either sweep the Jets or Bills, my money is we will split the Jets and sweep the Bills.
Week by Week.
Week 1. Miami (-2) @ Washington
Miami wins 16 -10 !
One of a handful of games where the Dolphins will be favored to win this year and they will not disappoint. Usually offenses struggle early in the initial weeks of the NFL and you have to give the edge to the Dolphins defense over the Redskins defense. The Redskins defense ranked 31st last year, and their free agent movement indicates they are focusing on the defensive side of the ball. Their first round pick, SS Laron Landry (who recently missed mini camp cause he got shot in the testicles playing paintball) will be lining up for his first game to shore up a weak defensive backfield that possibly could give up a big play or two to the Dolphins receivers. I anticipate a low scoring game as Miami learns to find its new groove on offense this year and the improved accuracy of field goal kicker Feely will pay dividends by converting a couple of big play special returns by Ted Ginn into points.
Week 2 Dallas (-2) @ Miami
Miami wins 20-10
Dallas will be coming off an emotional win the prior Sunday night home opener in prime time against the NY Giants. This is a tremendous game for the Cowboys to get off to an important start in the NFC east against a tough rival. They will be really jacked up for the Giants. They will grind it out for an emotional win and will have one less day to prepare for Miami before heading on the road. When you play a prime time Sun Night game and then have to travel the following week you lose a day of preparation in my opinion and I anticipate a slight emotional Cowboy letdown.
Last year the Cowboys opened the season at Jacksonville and did not fare so well in the sweltering heat in North Florida and it will only be hotter in south Miami. I only wish this game was a 1pm kickoff instead of a 4pm to make it all the hotter. Too bad we have to watch a game played in the Marlins dirt infield. Romo is still suffering from confidence and the Dolphins defensive pressure will find a way to get to him all day long. It will be close early, but look for Miami to outplay the Cowboys in the 4th quarter when the Cowboys begin to cramp up and run out of gas.
Week 3 Miami at Jets(-4)
Jets win 23-17
Dolphins and Jets will split games and we might as well say the splits occur with the home team winning for both games
Week 4 Oakland at Miami(-6)
Miami wins 27-13
A poor west coast team travels a long way to get this game in and I hope Jamarcus Russell will be taking the snaps. Dolphins will take full advantage of this rookie QB with a cannon arm and the the decision making ability and IQ of a retarded cow. Being an LSU fan, I have watched this guy make some bone head decisions, and it will take him some time to adjust to intricate defenses similar to what he will see at Miami. The Dolphin’s defensive looks will be too much and Russell will make several mistakes(4 turnovers at least). Raider’s defense will be respectable but Miami offense begins to wake up. Ginn breaks some plays to show why we picked him first.
Week 5 Miami at Houston (+2.5)
Miami wins 24-13
I believe in revenge and I attended last year’s loss at Houston with Daunte starting at QB.
Fins lost 15-17 I believe. Miami will find a way to win to move on to 4-1, but don’t get too excited. The last half of this schedule is brutal.
Week 6 Miami (-2) at Cleveland
Miami wins 24-20
The last game Miami lost before their 6 game winning streak that ended the 2005 season was a 22-0 shutout loss at Cleveland. Like I said, I believe in the revenge factor and Miami will have the better special teams and defense, and this is another chance to confuse the daylights out of rookie Brady Quinn if he is starting. IF Quinn does not start, then I can see Cleveland winning the game in a tight match. But I will take Miami in this game to move to 5-1 which will trail the Pats 6-0 record in the AFC east.
Week 7 New England(-5.5) at Miami
Pats win 24-10.
First real top caliber team the Fins have faced thus far. Like I said earlier, I think New England will remember that 21-0 thrashing last year at Miami and will take it out on the Fins this week.
Week 8-NY Giants(-2.5) at Miami (London)
Giants win 24-20
Lots of Dolfans over in England and the Fins will need all the support they can get. I question the loss of Tiki Barber and his impact to the Giants offense, and I’m not impressed with Eli Manning either. So don’t expect the Giants to run the ball very well which will put the game on Elis shoulders. The guy has no pocket presence. If Miami heads into this game with the confidence of a 5-2 season behind them and the thrill of the upcoming bye week, and fired up after a bad loss to the Pats the week before, then maybe they pull it out. They should put enough pressure on Eli to force some bad decisions and as a result, the turnovers may be too much for Giants to overcome. I’m not ready to see this developing Dolphins team to be good enough to go into the bye week at 6-2 so for no other reason, I will take the Giants in a close game and Miami makes it to the halfway mark of the season at a respectable and by some experts opinions, an overachieving 5-3 record. I will gladly take it.
WEEK 9-BYE WEEK-MIAMI IS 5-3
Week 10-Buffalo at Miami (-3.5)
Miami 27-10
In order to make it to 3-3 in the division, Miami must sweep someone because I don’t think they will pull one out against the Pats this year. I’m going to assume the Fins will sweep the worst team in the AFC East, the Bills this year. It’s unfortunate for the Bills being in a small market. Seems like yesterday what a stink the media made because they drafted Willis McGahee in the draft although they already had stud Travis Henry. Three years later both Henry and McGahee are the number one backs for other teams cause Buffalo cant afford to keep quality players more than 3 years due to monetary issues. This is exactly why they had to burn a number 1 pick this year on a RB and it would not surprise me to see him gone in 3 years either! Nate Clements same result. Over the next 3 years the Bills will spit out some pro bowlers, but they will all leave for greener pastures.
Vicious cycle for Buffalo due to salary cap which makes this a 3 team division as long as the salary cap remains in place.
Week 11-Miami at Philadelphia(-4)
Philly 24-13
Could go either way really. I just think if McNabb plays and is healthy, he and Westbrook, and the Eagles can be lethal(They were the second ranked offense last year)Last year the Dolphins lost to the Packers at home before their bye week(Harrington attempted a record 62 attempts), then Miami follows their bye week on the road and spank the Bears 31-13! So Miami has proven they can do it, for balance sake, I will take the Eagles.
Week 12-Miami at Pittsburgh (-4) (Mon Night)
Pittsburgh 23-17
I know its Joey Porters big night returning to Heinz Ketchup Field, and I think the Steelers will be coming off a road loss to the NY Jets the preceding week, so they will be fired up for prime time against the Dolphins. The Steelers like Miami are under a new regime, but they have also beaten the Dolphins once each of the last 3 years. (One game preseason 2005-I attended this one). I think the Steelers are a playoff team this year and although they missed the playoffs last year, both their offense and defense were ranked in the top 7 respectively. Well balanced veteran team hard to beat against at home in prime time.
Week 13-Jets(-2) at Miami
Miami 23-21
Jets and Dolphins split the 07 series with Miami winning in South Florida
Week 14-Buffalo at Miami (-5)
Miami sweeps the Bills winning 31-13.
Week 15 Baltimore(-3) at Miami
Miami 27-13
Game could go either way. You know Baltimore’s defense will be there. The Ravens will be coming off a Sun night primetime match up against the Indianapolis Colts, and I expect a letdown the following week at Miami. There will be a lot on the line for Baltimore and Indy, and I feel especially good about Miami winning if the Ravens can beat Manning the previous Sunday. Remember, the Colts defeated the Ravens at Baltimore during the playoffs last year, and I hope Baltimore is victorious. Otherwise I don’t see Ravens losing two in a row, especially after losing to Indy. I’m going to predict that the Ravens game will be this years version of last years Bears game.
Week 16-Miami at New England(-7)
New England 26-21
Pats my team to win the Superbowl. Their off season acquisitions have replaced the loss of Corry Dillon( with Sammy Morris) and Tom Brady has now the best set of WRs he has ever had in his entire career. Adalius Thomas addresses the Pats LB problems from a year ago and makes the Ravens weaker all in one move. Couple that with the Colts losing Dom Rhodes, and 1/3 starters from their defense, and San Diego will have to overcome 3 new coaches (Head, Offensive, and Defensive coordinators), I anticipate the Pats will need a win over Miami to lock up a Bye week in week 16 and they wont disappoint. Miami covers the spread however!
Week 17 Cincinnati(-2) at Miami
Cincy wins 28-19
Miami heads into this game with a respectable 9-6 record, and the Bengal’s have a 10-5 record. Miami has an outside chance of a playoff scenario by beating Cincinnati accompanied by the outcome of two other games( these two games will be Kansas City at the Jets and Pittsburgh at Baltimore). Miami loses this game however as this will be the worst nightmare the Fins Achilles heel (their secondary) will see all year. The combination and experience of Palmer to Johnson and Houshmandzadeh will be too much for the youthful secondary of Miami.
The Fins end the season with a 9-7 record and break my heart by missing the playoffs.
That’s the way I see it as mid June, 2007. Optimism and realism is sometimes not a fun thing to come to terms with the way I see it. But at least we are headed in the right direction.
Peace
http://thedolphininsider.blogspot.com/
I will be taking a quick look at the Dolphins 10 individual matchups outside the AFC East. My theory for the results against the AFC is an optimistic 3-3 campaign. I say optimistic because the Dolphins are 5-13 in the last 3 seasons against the Jets, Pats, and Bills. Lets just say my predictions for these six games is a 3-3 record, I don’t know who or where the wins will occur, I'm just going with 3-3.
You should know that I am a big believer in momentum and revenge factors having influences on NFL match ups and this is why I feel the Pats will sweep Miami this year. The first match up this year is in Miami, and I know darn well that the Pats have not forgotten about that 21-0 shutout Miami delivered to them last year in Miami. So Pats will have payback on their minds on this game. Week 16 is at frigid New England, and I don’t see us going up there and winning this game especially since most likely the Pats will have a playoff bye week on the line.
In 2005, Miami ended their 6 game winning streak at New England in week 17. Brady played one quarter, they had nothing to play for so they rested, not that Miami would not have won anyway, I just wish this years match up would be week 17 instead of 16. So for Miami to get to 3-3 in AFC East play, they will have to either sweep the Jets or Bills, my money is we will split the Jets and sweep the Bills.
Week by Week.
Week 1. Miami (-2) @ Washington
Miami wins 16 -10 !
One of a handful of games where the Dolphins will be favored to win this year and they will not disappoint. Usually offenses struggle early in the initial weeks of the NFL and you have to give the edge to the Dolphins defense over the Redskins defense. The Redskins defense ranked 31st last year, and their free agent movement indicates they are focusing on the defensive side of the ball. Their first round pick, SS Laron Landry (who recently missed mini camp cause he got shot in the testicles playing paintball) will be lining up for his first game to shore up a weak defensive backfield that possibly could give up a big play or two to the Dolphins receivers. I anticipate a low scoring game as Miami learns to find its new groove on offense this year and the improved accuracy of field goal kicker Feely will pay dividends by converting a couple of big play special returns by Ted Ginn into points.
Week 2 Dallas (-2) @ Miami
Miami wins 20-10
Dallas will be coming off an emotional win the prior Sunday night home opener in prime time against the NY Giants. This is a tremendous game for the Cowboys to get off to an important start in the NFC east against a tough rival. They will be really jacked up for the Giants. They will grind it out for an emotional win and will have one less day to prepare for Miami before heading on the road. When you play a prime time Sun Night game and then have to travel the following week you lose a day of preparation in my opinion and I anticipate a slight emotional Cowboy letdown.
Last year the Cowboys opened the season at Jacksonville and did not fare so well in the sweltering heat in North Florida and it will only be hotter in south Miami. I only wish this game was a 1pm kickoff instead of a 4pm to make it all the hotter. Too bad we have to watch a game played in the Marlins dirt infield. Romo is still suffering from confidence and the Dolphins defensive pressure will find a way to get to him all day long. It will be close early, but look for Miami to outplay the Cowboys in the 4th quarter when the Cowboys begin to cramp up and run out of gas.
Week 3 Miami at Jets(-4)
Jets win 23-17
Dolphins and Jets will split games and we might as well say the splits occur with the home team winning for both games
Week 4 Oakland at Miami(-6)
Miami wins 27-13
A poor west coast team travels a long way to get this game in and I hope Jamarcus Russell will be taking the snaps. Dolphins will take full advantage of this rookie QB with a cannon arm and the the decision making ability and IQ of a retarded cow. Being an LSU fan, I have watched this guy make some bone head decisions, and it will take him some time to adjust to intricate defenses similar to what he will see at Miami. The Dolphin’s defensive looks will be too much and Russell will make several mistakes(4 turnovers at least). Raider’s defense will be respectable but Miami offense begins to wake up. Ginn breaks some plays to show why we picked him first.
Week 5 Miami at Houston (+2.5)
Miami wins 24-13
I believe in revenge and I attended last year’s loss at Houston with Daunte starting at QB.
Fins lost 15-17 I believe. Miami will find a way to win to move on to 4-1, but don’t get too excited. The last half of this schedule is brutal.
Week 6 Miami (-2) at Cleveland
Miami wins 24-20
The last game Miami lost before their 6 game winning streak that ended the 2005 season was a 22-0 shutout loss at Cleveland. Like I said, I believe in the revenge factor and Miami will have the better special teams and defense, and this is another chance to confuse the daylights out of rookie Brady Quinn if he is starting. IF Quinn does not start, then I can see Cleveland winning the game in a tight match. But I will take Miami in this game to move to 5-1 which will trail the Pats 6-0 record in the AFC east.
Week 7 New England(-5.5) at Miami
Pats win 24-10.
First real top caliber team the Fins have faced thus far. Like I said earlier, I think New England will remember that 21-0 thrashing last year at Miami and will take it out on the Fins this week.
Week 8-NY Giants(-2.5) at Miami (London)
Giants win 24-20
Lots of Dolfans over in England and the Fins will need all the support they can get. I question the loss of Tiki Barber and his impact to the Giants offense, and I’m not impressed with Eli Manning either. So don’t expect the Giants to run the ball very well which will put the game on Elis shoulders. The guy has no pocket presence. If Miami heads into this game with the confidence of a 5-2 season behind them and the thrill of the upcoming bye week, and fired up after a bad loss to the Pats the week before, then maybe they pull it out. They should put enough pressure on Eli to force some bad decisions and as a result, the turnovers may be too much for Giants to overcome. I’m not ready to see this developing Dolphins team to be good enough to go into the bye week at 6-2 so for no other reason, I will take the Giants in a close game and Miami makes it to the halfway mark of the season at a respectable and by some experts opinions, an overachieving 5-3 record. I will gladly take it.
WEEK 9-BYE WEEK-MIAMI IS 5-3
Week 10-Buffalo at Miami (-3.5)
Miami 27-10
In order to make it to 3-3 in the division, Miami must sweep someone because I don’t think they will pull one out against the Pats this year. I’m going to assume the Fins will sweep the worst team in the AFC East, the Bills this year. It’s unfortunate for the Bills being in a small market. Seems like yesterday what a stink the media made because they drafted Willis McGahee in the draft although they already had stud Travis Henry. Three years later both Henry and McGahee are the number one backs for other teams cause Buffalo cant afford to keep quality players more than 3 years due to monetary issues. This is exactly why they had to burn a number 1 pick this year on a RB and it would not surprise me to see him gone in 3 years either! Nate Clements same result. Over the next 3 years the Bills will spit out some pro bowlers, but they will all leave for greener pastures.
Vicious cycle for Buffalo due to salary cap which makes this a 3 team division as long as the salary cap remains in place.
Week 11-Miami at Philadelphia(-4)
Philly 24-13
Could go either way really. I just think if McNabb plays and is healthy, he and Westbrook, and the Eagles can be lethal(They were the second ranked offense last year)Last year the Dolphins lost to the Packers at home before their bye week(Harrington attempted a record 62 attempts), then Miami follows their bye week on the road and spank the Bears 31-13! So Miami has proven they can do it, for balance sake, I will take the Eagles.
Week 12-Miami at Pittsburgh (-4) (Mon Night)
Pittsburgh 23-17
I know its Joey Porters big night returning to Heinz Ketchup Field, and I think the Steelers will be coming off a road loss to the NY Jets the preceding week, so they will be fired up for prime time against the Dolphins. The Steelers like Miami are under a new regime, but they have also beaten the Dolphins once each of the last 3 years. (One game preseason 2005-I attended this one). I think the Steelers are a playoff team this year and although they missed the playoffs last year, both their offense and defense were ranked in the top 7 respectively. Well balanced veteran team hard to beat against at home in prime time.
Week 13-Jets(-2) at Miami
Miami 23-21
Jets and Dolphins split the 07 series with Miami winning in South Florida
Week 14-Buffalo at Miami (-5)
Miami sweeps the Bills winning 31-13.
Week 15 Baltimore(-3) at Miami
Miami 27-13
Game could go either way. You know Baltimore’s defense will be there. The Ravens will be coming off a Sun night primetime match up against the Indianapolis Colts, and I expect a letdown the following week at Miami. There will be a lot on the line for Baltimore and Indy, and I feel especially good about Miami winning if the Ravens can beat Manning the previous Sunday. Remember, the Colts defeated the Ravens at Baltimore during the playoffs last year, and I hope Baltimore is victorious. Otherwise I don’t see Ravens losing two in a row, especially after losing to Indy. I’m going to predict that the Ravens game will be this years version of last years Bears game.
Week 16-Miami at New England(-7)
New England 26-21
Pats my team to win the Superbowl. Their off season acquisitions have replaced the loss of Corry Dillon( with Sammy Morris) and Tom Brady has now the best set of WRs he has ever had in his entire career. Adalius Thomas addresses the Pats LB problems from a year ago and makes the Ravens weaker all in one move. Couple that with the Colts losing Dom Rhodes, and 1/3 starters from their defense, and San Diego will have to overcome 3 new coaches (Head, Offensive, and Defensive coordinators), I anticipate the Pats will need a win over Miami to lock up a Bye week in week 16 and they wont disappoint. Miami covers the spread however!
Week 17 Cincinnati(-2) at Miami
Cincy wins 28-19
Miami heads into this game with a respectable 9-6 record, and the Bengal’s have a 10-5 record. Miami has an outside chance of a playoff scenario by beating Cincinnati accompanied by the outcome of two other games( these two games will be Kansas City at the Jets and Pittsburgh at Baltimore). Miami loses this game however as this will be the worst nightmare the Fins Achilles heel (their secondary) will see all year. The combination and experience of Palmer to Johnson and Houshmandzadeh will be too much for the youthful secondary of Miami.
The Fins end the season with a 9-7 record and break my heart by missing the playoffs.
That’s the way I see it as mid June, 2007. Optimism and realism is sometimes not a fun thing to come to terms with the way I see it. But at least we are headed in the right direction.
Peace
http://thedolphininsider.blogspot.com/
