Personally, I expect us to win at least 4 games this season. Winning 9 games would not surprise me if some key factors come through. Here are my reasons why to have hope on a "successful" season this year.
#1. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams
Ronnie Brown was the best back in the league last year until he was injured. He was the best back in the league last year behind an offensive line worse than what we have this year. This year we have Ronnie and a "revamped" Ricky Williams. If Ronnie comes in with a healthy knee and plays like he did last year, and Ricky comes back anywhere near old form.. we will easily have one the best rushing offenses in the league.
Key Factors: A healthy Ronnie Brown, an old form Ricky Williams, and a gelled offensive line.
Predicted Contribution: 4 guaranteed victories by the rushing game and offensive line alone.
#2. Potential Quarterbacks
We have three QB's competing for the starting job, with two potential good QB's.
We know from experience McCown is a decent QB, not a lead-your-team-deep-into-the-playoffs type. He's been a decent QB in the past, and is now playing with a team arguably worse than all his previous teams. On paper he should have his worst season yet, and there is very little chance he will have a breakout season. When I say 'little chance', i'm talking Kate Moss little.
Beck is in his 2nd year, and started in a few games last season. He had horrible games, and his confidence is possibly completely shattered. However, is he just a 2nd year QB who has some experience in the NFL and has had time to adjust to the new play style. It wouldn't surprise me if Beck just suddenly 'clicked' and became a good QB. There's a chance, but it's decreasing with every week he doesnt show it.
Chad Henne had an excellent career in college, but then again what NFL QB didnt? His a true blue rookie, and because of it there is unlimited potential on what he can be. I personally hope he sits this season to grow his skill sets and takes over the reigns next year if Beck doesn't prove himself. He has the best chance to be a great QB out of the 3 we have, but the earlier you start him the bigger the risk you take on putting him out there before he's ready.
All of our QB's are working with a less-than-mediocre WR core, where we either dont have the experience or the amazing skills needed. Hopefully we bring Terry Glenn in for a year or two and he stays healthy and provides a huge asset to our QB's and also can mentor our young WR core. I've seen comments saying "Isn't that what we have coaches for?", but how many coaches have been all-star receivers than can pass down tips, tricks, and techniques from experience?
Key Factors: A healthy Terry Glenn, a possible breakout season by one of our QB's, and a gelled offensive line.
Predicted Contribution: If we have a healthy Terry Glenn, and a good season out of our QB, I would say we would win 4 games.
Note: Don't be easily discouraged by all the coverage sacks and actual sacks you read/hear about in the Dolphins training camp. This is definately the hardest camp the Dolphins have had in the past three years. McCown can scramble, and can easily buy 1-2 more seconds of pocket time if needed past the 3-second buzzer in practice. If our QB's can adjust to the 3-second timer they're using the camp, they will GREATLY improve their chances of being good or even great QB's. Wait until week 2 or 3 of the preseason to make your judgement on the QB's, until then.. keep your head high.
#3. Rookies
Every year rookies are written off as, well.. rookies. You expect great things out of rookies in a few years, but hardly ever immediate impacts (their are exceptions). Anything past the 2nd round is usually thought of as a "possible contributor." But just look at the past, even recent Dolphin history, Jason Taylor was a 3rd round pick and Zach Thomas was a 5th round pick. Both of which started their rookie seasons and have dominated their positions ever since. You've read the articles about the "gushing" over Langford, the fans of Jayson Foster, and of course our big picks - Long, Merling, and Henne. With as young as our team is, our rookies have great chances to step up and prove themselves as great players.
Key Factors: Big contributions from our rookies.
Predicted Contribution: A possible "solid" defense, and a potentially good offense.
Conclusion
This season is all about potential. We have so much potential to be good this season, it's frightening. In turn we have the possibility of being just as bad as last season. I absolutely love being the underdog in every situation, it's a win-win situation. If we have a stand out year, we win. If we win just 2 games this season, it's a better season than the last. The chance may be small, but there is a chance to have a winning season, with the key factors i've talked about above.
Give me a healthy Ronnie and Ricky, a gelled offensive line, a good season out of one of our QB's, a productive Terry Glenn, and immediate impact from our rookies.. and i'll give you a good possibility of a winning season.
Keep your heads high, our Dolphins will.
#1. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams
Ronnie Brown was the best back in the league last year until he was injured. He was the best back in the league last year behind an offensive line worse than what we have this year. This year we have Ronnie and a "revamped" Ricky Williams. If Ronnie comes in with a healthy knee and plays like he did last year, and Ricky comes back anywhere near old form.. we will easily have one the best rushing offenses in the league.
Key Factors: A healthy Ronnie Brown, an old form Ricky Williams, and a gelled offensive line.
Predicted Contribution: 4 guaranteed victories by the rushing game and offensive line alone.
#2. Potential Quarterbacks
We have three QB's competing for the starting job, with two potential good QB's.
We know from experience McCown is a decent QB, not a lead-your-team-deep-into-the-playoffs type. He's been a decent QB in the past, and is now playing with a team arguably worse than all his previous teams. On paper he should have his worst season yet, and there is very little chance he will have a breakout season. When I say 'little chance', i'm talking Kate Moss little.
Beck is in his 2nd year, and started in a few games last season. He had horrible games, and his confidence is possibly completely shattered. However, is he just a 2nd year QB who has some experience in the NFL and has had time to adjust to the new play style. It wouldn't surprise me if Beck just suddenly 'clicked' and became a good QB. There's a chance, but it's decreasing with every week he doesnt show it.
Chad Henne had an excellent career in college, but then again what NFL QB didnt? His a true blue rookie, and because of it there is unlimited potential on what he can be. I personally hope he sits this season to grow his skill sets and takes over the reigns next year if Beck doesn't prove himself. He has the best chance to be a great QB out of the 3 we have, but the earlier you start him the bigger the risk you take on putting him out there before he's ready.
All of our QB's are working with a less-than-mediocre WR core, where we either dont have the experience or the amazing skills needed. Hopefully we bring Terry Glenn in for a year or two and he stays healthy and provides a huge asset to our QB's and also can mentor our young WR core. I've seen comments saying "Isn't that what we have coaches for?", but how many coaches have been all-star receivers than can pass down tips, tricks, and techniques from experience?
Key Factors: A healthy Terry Glenn, a possible breakout season by one of our QB's, and a gelled offensive line.
Predicted Contribution: If we have a healthy Terry Glenn, and a good season out of our QB, I would say we would win 4 games.
Note: Don't be easily discouraged by all the coverage sacks and actual sacks you read/hear about in the Dolphins training camp. This is definately the hardest camp the Dolphins have had in the past three years. McCown can scramble, and can easily buy 1-2 more seconds of pocket time if needed past the 3-second buzzer in practice. If our QB's can adjust to the 3-second timer they're using the camp, they will GREATLY improve their chances of being good or even great QB's. Wait until week 2 or 3 of the preseason to make your judgement on the QB's, until then.. keep your head high.
#3. Rookies
Every year rookies are written off as, well.. rookies. You expect great things out of rookies in a few years, but hardly ever immediate impacts (their are exceptions). Anything past the 2nd round is usually thought of as a "possible contributor." But just look at the past, even recent Dolphin history, Jason Taylor was a 3rd round pick and Zach Thomas was a 5th round pick. Both of which started their rookie seasons and have dominated their positions ever since. You've read the articles about the "gushing" over Langford, the fans of Jayson Foster, and of course our big picks - Long, Merling, and Henne. With as young as our team is, our rookies have great chances to step up and prove themselves as great players.
Key Factors: Big contributions from our rookies.
Predicted Contribution: A possible "solid" defense, and a potentially good offense.
Conclusion
This season is all about potential. We have so much potential to be good this season, it's frightening. In turn we have the possibility of being just as bad as last season. I absolutely love being the underdog in every situation, it's a win-win situation. If we have a stand out year, we win. If we win just 2 games this season, it's a better season than the last. The chance may be small, but there is a chance to have a winning season, with the key factors i've talked about above.
Give me a healthy Ronnie and Ricky, a gelled offensive line, a good season out of one of our QB's, a productive Terry Glenn, and immediate impact from our rookies.. and i'll give you a good possibility of a winning season.
Keep your heads high, our Dolphins will.
