Pointing to past 4 SB teams early record's is encouraging for this team.

[Despacio]

(moved from parity thread)

Speaking of parity, this can be encouraging, the win-loss records of the Super Bowl teams early on starting with Baltimore in 2000:

2000 Baltimore, went 5-4, then won the rest of their games on towards the SB.

2001 Patriots, went 5-5, then won the rest of their games on towards the SB.

2002 Bucaneers, went 7-2, then hit their BYE WEEK, then lost only 2 more the rest of the season on to the SB.

2003 Patriots, went 2-2, then of course won the rest of their games and have not lost since. Funny note, they opened up losing 0-31 against Buffalo, and ended the regular season beating Buffalo 31-0, talk about having the last laugh with irony.

Tamps Bay and NE in both SB years lost on opening day. And, like us, in 2001 NE had to go through a QB change and deal with a lack of a running game. But of course they had the coaching and the backing of confidence in the QB. Something we considerably lack right now.

So there you have it, are we the next to start off slow, and then excel? There's hope, but it's a HUGE, HUGE hope at this point.

 

[Predaphin]

This was brought up last year when we lost to the Texans in the opener...and that didnt work....

 

[Despacio]

This was brought up last year when we lost to the Texans...

:roflmao:

Well it doesn't hurt to point it out every year, particulary when the Panthers repeated the parity phenomenom again last year.

Last year of course we were a projected SB team. All these teams were underdogs and had no expectations like us this year, making the point even more valid than ever.

Anyways, its just to keep the hopes up after our loss. Should be brought up every year for every struggling team early on because history is showing one of those teams will be used as another example the next year.

 

[dolfan87]

We have nothing but IF's right now.

IF our O line gels...
IF Feeley becomes what Rick Spielman thinks he can be...
IF Gordon can handle a major role

IF those three things happen, then yes, this team could be special. This is the first year that I can remember where everyone thinks our team is a joke. It's like our defense doesn't matter anymore, it's all about how crappy we are on offense.

Fact is, with the WR's and TE's we have, along with a couple really decent RB's, we have hope.

It all basically boils down to how quickly this O line gets it together, IF they get it together.

We shall see.

87

 

[Predaphin]

:roflmao:

Well it doesn't hurt to point it out every year, particulary when the Panthers repeated the parity phenomenom again last year.

Last year of course we were a projected SB team. All these teams were underdogs and had no expectations like us this year, making the point even more valid than ever.

Anyways, its just to keep the hopes up after our loss. Should be brought up every year for every struggling team early on because history is showing one of those teams will be used as another example the next year.

on a side note...If you take a look at those teams you mentioned most (if not all of them) had new or 2nd year coaches!

 

[Thajor]

We have nothing but IF's right now...
...IF those three things happen, then yes, this team could be special. This is the first year that I can remember where everyone thinks our team is a joke. It's like our defense doesn't matter anymore, it's all about how crappy we are on offense...

That brings up a good point (a good, long point, mind you:-)... last year the Fins had SuperBowl hopes, and were picked by some "experts" to get there or darn close. The major differences between last year and this year are:
1.) last year our RB had a piss poor attitude and didn't hit the holes or runa as hard as he did the year before, but everyone thought with another year like the one before we would be there... including me... but not just because of the runing game (and the glaring lack of a consistent passing game), but mostly because of the defense. I think Gordon's gonna be abig time player, and hopefully the play calling will be better than Turner calling Ricky right, Ricky left- on evey 1st and 2nd down. The offense has to open up this year... without Ricky they can't think they can play the way they did last year... plus I think Foerster's gonna want to prove ha can be a good coordinator, not do what Turner did last year.
2.) This year we actually have a chance to have a decent passing game with Feeley and Booker being added to the team (next year will be sick with Boston back too).
3.) Our defense should be better this year if you ask me. Yeah, we traded Ogun, but I say it's a damn good thing he held out, otherwise how would we have gotten a receiver and back after what happened with Smokey and Boston? Ogun wanted way too much money, and I for one did not want him to get it... there is no way he is worth JT money, and he wanted even more. On the flipside, we vastly improved our secondary, and adding to the D-line like we did with Ahonotu and Robinson (who Ogun replaced as starter in Chicago I believe) added a ton of depth and huge talent in th nickel and dime. Howard and Poole will make our pass defense much better than last year, and hopefully we won't get burned on 3 and 4 receiver sets like we did last year, plus it should push Madison to play to his ability (I think he dropped off a bit and had some lapses last year).
4.) The Offensive Line will be better this year, guaranteed. The team brought in some good players to replace the ones that aren't even playing this year (mostly- that should tell you something). The line just needs some time, just like the new back, receiver, and QB who will finally get full practice time with the starters... I can't wait to see how he connects with the receivers after they play together consistently a few weeks. He sure found McMichael regularly on Saturday, and once he can open it up and get comfortable with Chambers and Booker.... and Gordon gets comfortable in the offense... we will have a better team than last year.

It's just a matter of time, and how long it's going to take will determine if we can make a playoff run this year or not... and if so, it could be a case of hitting on all cylinders at the end of the season and making a good run... I'm psyched again!!!

 

[yankeehillbilly]

Its OK to point out the teams that started poorly only to finish strong and win the SB. But, to be fair, you should also point out all the teams that started poorly and finished in the cellar. My guess is that the ratio of bad finishes to good isnt going to inspire a lot of hope.

 

[darkoak]

We will never win the Superbowl with Wanny as head coach. But you didn't just hear it from me, look at this teams play and ask yourself if they will win with this coach.

 

[Despacio]

Its OK to point out the teams that started poorly only to finish strong and win the SB. But, to be fair, you should also point out all the teams that started poorly and finished in the cellar. My guess is that the ratio of bad finishes to good isnt going to inspire a lot of hope.

Sure, no question about it, but its no fun to look at all the crappy teams :D .

 

[Wakey]

The Dolphins have to finish strong for this to work and they have yet to accomplish that feat. I just assume lose a few more to make this team fighting mad and have the energy in December & January when it will be needed.

 

[Despacio]

The Dolphins have to finish strong for this to work and they have yet to accomplish that feat. I just assume lose a few more to make this team fighting mad and have the energy in December & January when it will be needed.

Good point, and Miami has the schedule this year to finish strong despite the poor finishes in previous years. We play NE and BUF at home late in the season, meaning no cold games where there always were guaranteed ones.

 

[Wakey]

The way things are looking for my Saints & Dolphins we will both have slow starts.

Here is to strong finishes for a change so we can meet in Jacksonville in Feb!

 

[Despacio]

The way things are looking for my Saints & Dolphins we will both have slow starts.

Here is to strong finishes for a change so we can meet in Jacksonville in Feb!

:beerbang: