Is the future that bright?

[Dolphindrew]

I have heard quite a few commentators, including the ones doing the Colts game Sunday say things like "take your shot at Saban's Dolphins this year, because they won't be down much longer". Others have remarked about how improved we are over last year, etc.

While I agree that overall, the atmosphere is better, I don't have any optimism for the future. Sure, R. Brown is the real deal, and we can improve at QB and possibly OL with the draft and cap space, but do you realize how old we are on the defensive side of the ball?? Oldest in the league to be exact (this is a fact). We have pi**ed away an era of having a great MLB and a pass rushing threat like Taylor. Other than Crowder and maybe Daniels, I have seen nobody on that side of the ball this year who is young and headed for greatness. I think Poole might be the real deal, but still, we will have to rebuild completely at DL (don't throw Vickerson or Roth at me until they make a play). And when you really stop to think about it... don't we have some purchasing to do at the WR position??

Sorry if you feel I'm just being pessimistic. I'm not. I'm very concerned that we are at least 3 years away from being any form of threat for the AFC title.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Fans who thought Miami could compete right away under Nick Saban were fooling themselves. Even my own 7-9 forecast now seems on the optimistic side. Let's face the facts. Saban inherited a mess, an old defense, an offense without a quality quarterback etc. It will take time and I think your three year estimate may be about right. First, the team must bring in a qb of the future and develop that player. Even if it's Matt Leinart, we can't expect him to light it up right away. That said, I do believe we are on the right track. Ronnie Brown is the beginning of what could be a dominant running game, a key to any success in the NFL. And Saban knows defense and will get his type of players in here. It's hard, but if we can get through this season and next we could be looking at really enjoying the Dolphins again in 2007.

 

[Marino13fanboy1]

I'm not worried about the talent because I KNOW for sure that Saban and Mueller will bring it in the next 2 seasons. I'm worried about our pass-happy coordinator Linehan. If he's around the next 2 seasons, we're going nowhere fast. His play-calling is some of the worst I've seen as a Dolfan.

 

[HowBoutEmFins]

if we improve our passing game next season with a new QB, linehan fits good. His offense style needs a good QB to be efficient.

 

[FinaticalOne]

Fans who thought Miami could compete right away under Nick Saban were fooling themselves. Even my own 7-9 forecast now seems on the optimistic side. Let's face the facts. Saban inherited a mess, an old defense, an offense without a quality quarterback etc. It will take time and I think your three year estimate may be about right. First, the team must bring in a qb of the future and develop that player. Even if it's Matt Leinart, we can't expect him to light it up right away. That said, I do believe we are on the right track. Ronnie Brown is the beginning of what could be a dominant running game, a key to any success in the NFL. And Saban knows defense and will get his type of players in here. It's hard, but if we can get through this season and next we could be looking at really enjoying the Dolphins again in 2007.

Good post!!

You're right there is no need to fret. Yes, our defense is the oldest in the league, but we do have some very good youngsters already learning the ropes behind our vets. Channing Crowder, Travis Daniels, Matt Roth, Manny Wright, Kevin Vickerson, Will Poole, Shirdonya Mitchell. With the exception of Poole, Saban had a strong 1rst year of bringing in young players to develop to take over our defense when its their time; and I expect more great talent coming in this offseason with us having (correct me if I'm wrong) 11 draft picks, plus we could end up being close to 25 million dollars under the cap this off-season. Our future is real bright, and we have a damn good coach and GM who will get us back to the playoffs very fast.

We could make the playoffs as early as next year (2007 playoffs), but I think we will definitely make the playoffs and do serious damage in the 2008 playoffs.

 

[idaho]

People may not have appreciated how bad the previous drafts were. We are talent poor. Saban has done a remarkable job of filling in at some spots for the short term. Traylor and Carter for example. But for the most this team had to be the least talented team in the nfl. You cann't repair that in one season. Ronnie is a good start but we need two more drafts before we have the talent of an average team. If we had a marino type of qb we could get by on less. However the qb position is our least talented position. If we draft or trade for a qb we will be better next year but very young at the qb position which means we are rebuilding another year. Maybe the long journey will make the superbowl victory all the sweeter.

 

[FinaticalOne]

People may not have appreciated how bad the previous drafts were. We are talent poor. Saban has done a remarkable job of filling in at some spots for the short term. Traylor and Carter for example. But for the most this team had to be the least talented team in the nfl. You cann't repair that in one season. Ronnie is a good start but we need two more drafts before we have the talent of an average team. If we had a marino type of qb we could get by on less. However the qb position is our least talented position. If we draft or trade for a qb we will be better next year but very young at the qb position which means we are rebuilding another year. Maybe the long journey will make the superbowl victory all the sweeter.

AMEN!!!!

 

[phinman1]

This whole thing about our defense being old is getting old. Next year, Poole will be back, probably making he and Daniels one of the youngest starting corners in the league. Bell is a young safety and is doing good things this year. At LB, we have a rookie starter, Zach has 2 more years and Saban will easily bring in some young talent next year either through the draft or FA. As for DL, we have 2 guys (Vickerson and Wright), who will be ready to contribute next year. JT has 2 years left at least in my opinion. We do need a young pass rusher, and I bet that will be a priority for Saban in the draft or, again, FA.