After the most miserable season in Dolphin history, the party to forget our troubles started early this year, courtesy of one Wayne Huizenga. Hiring Nick Saban, at the time, was considered a major coup. Changing the stadium name from the bankrupt (much like our previous coaching staff) Pro Player to Dolphins Stadium brought back pride and respect that has been missing for some time. And quietly, bringing in Joe Bailey to replace fixture Eddie Jones as the new President was a bold stroke. So bold in fact, Wayne and Joe actually are showing the 'nads to try and make the Super Bowl an annual Miami party.
As everyone knows, what followed the hiring of Saban has been a cascade of good news from the hiring of great assistants, like Linehan and Houck, to a solid draft, and a better than expected free agency. Even the elusive Ricky Williams found his way back to Dolphins Stadium.
Finally, the 8-month long party is capped by the induction of one Dan Marino, every Dolfan's hero, into the Hall of Fame. Talk about a 180 from last year. Our penance is over, we have been cleansed of past sins, and it is time to let the games begin.
One slight problem, for those of us who witnessed the flag football effort of our beloved Dolphins last night, we have awakened to a terrible hangover this morning called, "reality." Yes, it is the first pre-season game. But here is an undeniable fact.....RIGHT NOW....TODAY....we look an awful lot like last year's 4-12 team. Remember, we played a 5-11 team last night and our first unit was soundly beaten. Nick Saban surely cried this morning, "I need the hair of the dog that bit me last night." His work is cut out for him, to say the least. For those of you living in fantasy land, yes things can and surely will get better and it is much too early to pronounce this season a failure, but it is also realistic to say we all saw what we saw and it wasn't pretty.
There weren't many positives to take from last night's game, but it appears we should have a decent passing offense, especially with the addition of Ronnie Brown. Gus or AJ will do a decent job and our WR corps is above average. Also, our special teams looked good. I wish Mare had nailed that long kick, but I don't think we can expect as much from him as he did a few years back.
Conversely, our o-line is so far from good right now that I wonder if Houck the Magician can really turn this group around. Without the line, you can forget a meaningful running game. It won't happen.
Finally, our beloved D is just not the same. Too many changes and without Patrick our secondary is exposed. The patchwork D-line is a work in progress and the linebackers have a lot to learn - Saban's system will not be easy for them to master.
The party is over and the morning hangover continues to remind us that Saban and Company have much work to do. It will take a lot just to reach an 8-8 season. Any more wins beyond that, Saban deserves Coach of the Year.
As everyone knows, what followed the hiring of Saban has been a cascade of good news from the hiring of great assistants, like Linehan and Houck, to a solid draft, and a better than expected free agency. Even the elusive Ricky Williams found his way back to Dolphins Stadium.
Finally, the 8-month long party is capped by the induction of one Dan Marino, every Dolfan's hero, into the Hall of Fame. Talk about a 180 from last year. Our penance is over, we have been cleansed of past sins, and it is time to let the games begin.
One slight problem, for those of us who witnessed the flag football effort of our beloved Dolphins last night, we have awakened to a terrible hangover this morning called, "reality." Yes, it is the first pre-season game. But here is an undeniable fact.....RIGHT NOW....TODAY....we look an awful lot like last year's 4-12 team. Remember, we played a 5-11 team last night and our first unit was soundly beaten. Nick Saban surely cried this morning, "I need the hair of the dog that bit me last night." His work is cut out for him, to say the least. For those of you living in fantasy land, yes things can and surely will get better and it is much too early to pronounce this season a failure, but it is also realistic to say we all saw what we saw and it wasn't pretty.
There weren't many positives to take from last night's game, but it appears we should have a decent passing offense, especially with the addition of Ronnie Brown. Gus or AJ will do a decent job and our WR corps is above average. Also, our special teams looked good. I wish Mare had nailed that long kick, but I don't think we can expect as much from him as he did a few years back.
Conversely, our o-line is so far from good right now that I wonder if Houck the Magician can really turn this group around. Without the line, you can forget a meaningful running game. It won't happen.
Finally, our beloved D is just not the same. Too many changes and without Patrick our secondary is exposed. The patchwork D-line is a work in progress and the linebackers have a lot to learn - Saban's system will not be easy for them to master.
The party is over and the morning hangover continues to remind us that Saban and Company have much work to do. It will take a lot just to reach an 8-8 season. Any more wins beyond that, Saban deserves Coach of the Year.