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- Aug 28, 2006
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As disappointed as I am to see the season end, I can't be too disappointed. Things broke very well for the Dolphins this season and, as a team, they took advantage of the breaks and won the AFC East. They seized their opportunities during the season and when they cut the lead to 20-9 and were driving today, I honestly thought that they were going to seize another opportunity. The fumbled reverse was the final nail in the coffin - something the Dolphins managed to avoid in most of their games this season - a huge mistake that killed their chances.
I think the Dolphins are better than the Bills and the Jets. I do not see the Bills making a major improvement next season and passing the Dolphins. The Jets, on the other hand, are in transition. Will they acquire a solid QB and pair him with their solid running game? Will guys like Kris Jenkins, Alan Faneca, and Damien Woody hold up? Who knows? The major question mark is the Patriots. Does Brady come back strong? If not, is Matt Cassel the new Brady? Is Randy Moss still Randy Moss? Do they get a running game? Is the heart of the defense finally too old? We have to admit that the Brady injury completely changed the AFC East this season and opened the door for the Dolphins. What happens when he is healthy again?
I think the biggest news of the day, if true, is that Parcells is planning to stick around for at least another year. What this means to me is that this team will be seriously grounded in reality during this offseason. No one will be reading and believing their press clippings. There will be a singular focus on the fact that the two games against the Ravens exposed the Dolphins as needing major improvements, even though they won the AFC East. Parcells will not allow anyone to rest on their laurels.
Another draft with Parcells and Ireland pulling the strings together will be massively important, especially since the Dolphins will have 3 draft picks in the top 50 or so picks. I think we can feel set at QB (with Chad and Chad), RB (with Ricky, Ronnie, Cobbs, and Polite), and TE (Fasano and Martin - not sure if Haynos sticks). The offensive line and WR positions need help. Maybe through FA - if someone like TJ Houshmanzadeh is not franchised, he would be a great pickup. He is getting a little long in the tooth, but he is the perfect receiver for Chad Pennington. Satele needs to be replaced. Carey should be resigned simply because he can play LT or RT and it would be difficult to go into next season relying on a rookie RT. I don't think there are better options in free agency. The G position needs depth. Smiley and Thomas are uncertain at best right now.
On defense, the Dolphins can use help everywhere. Not because the current crop of players is weak, but because some are older, some are free agents, and a few are not good enough. The DL rotation was excellent this season. Another off-season for Merling and Langford should help tremendously. Ferguson was kept fresh all season, so maybe he can be back strong again next year. Soliai has issues, but improved at the end of the season (forced a fumble today, too). Starks played well very. Not sure if Holliday will be around next season.
Joey Porter will be a year older, but double-digit sacks should be possible. A full off-season for Roth at OLB should be extremely helpful. I expect him to have a big season next year. Charlie Anderson showed some flashes. On the inside the Dolphins need an overhaul. Ayodele is just a guy - solid but unspectacular. Crowder may not be back. Torbor is OK, nothing more.
The secondary is solid, but every starter is 30 or older. The Dolphins need some new blood back there. Possibly in free agency. Goodman and Bell should be resigned.
It will be interesting to see where the Dolphins needs are after the free agency period. With Parcells, Ireland, and Sparano together for another season at least, I feel pretty good. I hope they draft a WR and LB early (barring a major free agent acquisition), and maybe a CB or G with the later second round pick.
Looking forward to next season like this is all I can do at this point.
I think the Dolphins are better than the Bills and the Jets. I do not see the Bills making a major improvement next season and passing the Dolphins. The Jets, on the other hand, are in transition. Will they acquire a solid QB and pair him with their solid running game? Will guys like Kris Jenkins, Alan Faneca, and Damien Woody hold up? Who knows? The major question mark is the Patriots. Does Brady come back strong? If not, is Matt Cassel the new Brady? Is Randy Moss still Randy Moss? Do they get a running game? Is the heart of the defense finally too old? We have to admit that the Brady injury completely changed the AFC East this season and opened the door for the Dolphins. What happens when he is healthy again?
I think the biggest news of the day, if true, is that Parcells is planning to stick around for at least another year. What this means to me is that this team will be seriously grounded in reality during this offseason. No one will be reading and believing their press clippings. There will be a singular focus on the fact that the two games against the Ravens exposed the Dolphins as needing major improvements, even though they won the AFC East. Parcells will not allow anyone to rest on their laurels.
Another draft with Parcells and Ireland pulling the strings together will be massively important, especially since the Dolphins will have 3 draft picks in the top 50 or so picks. I think we can feel set at QB (with Chad and Chad), RB (with Ricky, Ronnie, Cobbs, and Polite), and TE (Fasano and Martin - not sure if Haynos sticks). The offensive line and WR positions need help. Maybe through FA - if someone like TJ Houshmanzadeh is not franchised, he would be a great pickup. He is getting a little long in the tooth, but he is the perfect receiver for Chad Pennington. Satele needs to be replaced. Carey should be resigned simply because he can play LT or RT and it would be difficult to go into next season relying on a rookie RT. I don't think there are better options in free agency. The G position needs depth. Smiley and Thomas are uncertain at best right now.
On defense, the Dolphins can use help everywhere. Not because the current crop of players is weak, but because some are older, some are free agents, and a few are not good enough. The DL rotation was excellent this season. Another off-season for Merling and Langford should help tremendously. Ferguson was kept fresh all season, so maybe he can be back strong again next year. Soliai has issues, but improved at the end of the season (forced a fumble today, too). Starks played well very. Not sure if Holliday will be around next season.
Joey Porter will be a year older, but double-digit sacks should be possible. A full off-season for Roth at OLB should be extremely helpful. I expect him to have a big season next year. Charlie Anderson showed some flashes. On the inside the Dolphins need an overhaul. Ayodele is just a guy - solid but unspectacular. Crowder may not be back. Torbor is OK, nothing more.
The secondary is solid, but every starter is 30 or older. The Dolphins need some new blood back there. Possibly in free agency. Goodman and Bell should be resigned.
It will be interesting to see where the Dolphins needs are after the free agency period. With Parcells, Ireland, and Sparano together for another season at least, I feel pretty good. I hope they draft a WR and LB early (barring a major free agent acquisition), and maybe a CB or G with the later second round pick.
Looking forward to next season like this is all I can do at this point.
