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Miami heat: Perhaps the most interesting development is the rise of the Miami Dolphins under Nick Saban. There are certain no-brainers in sports. Because of his history as a former NFL defensive coordinator and his success as a college head coach, Saban was destined for success. Kirk Ferentz out of Iowa is the other sure bet for success, but he's not leaving college anytime soon.
Nick Saban's Dolphins appear to have the pieces in place to unseat the rival Patriots.
Saban learned under Bill Belichick and now his Dolphins are ready to put the heat on the Patriots in the AFC East. Don't get me wrong, the Patriots are still a playoff team. They still have Belichick and Tom Brady. They just don't have as many players as they did during the three Super Bowl runs.
Saban turned the Dolphins into a nine-win team and appears to have made the big gamble to get them over the top. He acquired Daunte Culpepper, giving the Dolphins a quarterback who can compete with Brady. Ronnie Brown is a big-time running back. The offensive line is better. The defense is good and getting better.
The Patriots are thin at wide receiver and have issues at linebacker. This could be the year the Dolphins beat out the Patriots in the AFC East, but don't be surprised if both teams meet again in the playoffs to determine the true division champion.
Miami heat: Perhaps the most interesting development is the rise of the Miami Dolphins under Nick Saban. There are certain no-brainers in sports. Because of his history as a former NFL defensive coordinator and his success as a college head coach, Saban was destined for success. Kirk Ferentz out of Iowa is the other sure bet for success, but he's not leaving college anytime soon.
Nick Saban's Dolphins appear to have the pieces in place to unseat the rival Patriots.
Saban learned under Bill Belichick and now his Dolphins are ready to put the heat on the Patriots in the AFC East. Don't get me wrong, the Patriots are still a playoff team. They still have Belichick and Tom Brady. They just don't have as many players as they did during the three Super Bowl runs.
Saban turned the Dolphins into a nine-win team and appears to have made the big gamble to get them over the top. He acquired Daunte Culpepper, giving the Dolphins a quarterback who can compete with Brady. Ronnie Brown is a big-time running back. The offensive line is better. The defense is good and getting better.
The Patriots are thin at wide receiver and have issues at linebacker. This could be the year the Dolphins beat out the Patriots in the AFC East, but don't be surprised if both teams meet again in the playoffs to determine the true division champion.
