Bold prediction? Homer statement? Call it what you like, but I think Miami gets into the playoffs as a Wild Card. Why?
1) Miami is not nearly as bad as their record last year said they were. 4-12? Terrible yes. But it was more a product of a pitiful, unorganized coaching staff and the fact that RW walked out on us. The impact of a coaching staff in disarray and losing the cornerstone of your offense is obviously huge. I'm not so sure we would have made the playoffs WITH Ricky last year just because of who the coach was.
2) This team is already fired up. There is a positive air about everything going on within this organization and it is contagious. The players believe in what is going on already. They are excited about what the new coaches are bringing to the team in terms of philosophy, attitude, fire and a no nonsense approach.
3) The offensive line was improving last year and still there is nowhere to go but up for our unit. The blocking schemes, along with the plays, were vanilla. It was more in your face blocking that played into the defenses hands. Our blocking scheme we used last year almost told the defense what the play was: where it was going, whether it was run or pass, etc. Not that it was hard to figure us out...run, run, pass, punt.
This year we'll use a combination of blocks incuding Zone blocking which allows the RB to read the block and make his own decision on where to run. The offensive line also has arguably the best, and definetly one of the best coaches in the game in Houck. With him as a coach, this line will make huge strides.
4) Even as predictable as were last year, we were only blown away once. We were literally a few less mistakes away from being a .500 team even with the problems we were having on offense and as team in general.
5) Saban has no plans to just "show up". Just like all the other smoke screens he is putting up, the "build to win later stuff is another smoke screen somewhat. Sure he is looking toward the future but there is NO DOUBT this man wants to win now. He is obviously very competitive and he will not settle for a losing season. He may not come right out and say it, but he has a realistic goal of making the playoffs and the players are on the boat with him. Should we make the playoffs- you never know...we could make some noise.
6) Our defense will be dominant.
7) Our offenses point output will increase by probably an average of 5 to 6 points per game. That is approximately another TD per game. Not hard to increase the output by a TD over how bad we were last year, yet that much of a difference will be huge along side a dominating D.
8) Our running game will improve dramatically regardless of who is running the ball. Gordon, R. Brown, Williams, or RB by committee. Just a 50% improvement will make a difference. Better blocking by the Oline will open up the running game(obviously) and there is no question our line will get it done.
9) Whoever our QB is, AJ, Gus, rookie - we will attack more downfield. Our big plays will increase and our passing game and running game will compliment each other and open things up for our offense for those big plays. There is absolutely no question we will go downfield more often. Chambers and Booker both have pro bowl potential. (Booker has been there) And Randy McMichael can be the best TE in the league if he'd focus more on playing than trash talking. Which he will now that Saban is in town.
10) Saban knows how to harness talent and get the best out of his player. 'nuff said here.
11) Our veterans are hungry and they are buying into the new regime quickly. We've heard it all before, but our veterans will play with a bigger sense of urgency this year. But now they'll do it on a team that actually SCHEMES for their opponents and attacks weaknesses which in turn creates big plays on offense and defense.
I could keep going, but this should more than get my point across. I feel pretty strongly that this team will shock alot of people and be around in January.
Fire away...
Go Dolphins...
