Reasons for optimism in '07 | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Reasons for optimism in '07

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EireTiger

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Coming off of a 6-10 season, here are some reasons for optimism this upcoming season:

1) The Defense..........the majority of the starters are back and we have added Joey Porter, a balancing force on the opposite side of Jason Taylor. Porter's ability to cover TEs and backs out of the backfield as well as put pressure on the QB should be a huge upgrade. Every time Dom Capers has had two strong outside pass rushers, his defenses have been elite. Think of Lloyd/Greene, Swilling/Jackson and Lathon/Greene..........

2) The addition of Ted Ginn should significantly upgrade the return game and add some excitement here. Having a strong defense that could improve, field postion is a key part of the game. If Ginn is able to add something to the WR corps that would be of great benefit as well, specifically, if he can push CHambers into the slot that should cut down on the number of dropped balls CHambers has as well as keep the safeties out of the box for the running game. I think Ginn's return skills are more bankable right now than his WR skills.

3) The return of Ricky Williams and addition of Booker to the offense should be of great benefit as well. Williams is a playmaker, more so than Ronnie Brown and he adds a big play threat from the backfield. Booker's quickness and speed should help on 3rd downs as well. Perhaps Booker and Williams will push Ronnie Brown to perform at a higher level as well.

The OL is still a big concern but if the Dolphins are able to improve upon their QB play from last year they can really turn some heads. Trent Green (if he comes...)should be an improvement over anything we saw last year. Every year there are a few teams who drastically improve from the prior year. New Orleans, Philadelphia and Baltimore were all 6-10 or worse heading into last year. Granted, it is usually an upgrade at QB that leads to such successes but with improved offensive play from the additions of Ginn, Green (if he comes...), Williams and Booker and the defense playing as well as they did last year (or perhaps better with Porter) there is reason for optimism.

Prediction: 9-7

Thoughts?
 
EireTiger said:
Coming off of a 6-10 season, here are some reasons for optimism this upcoming season:

1) The Defense..........the majority of the starters are back and we have added Joey Porter, a balancing force on the opposite side of Jason Taylor. Porter's ability to cover TEs and backs out of the backfield as well as put pressure on the QB should be a huge upgrade. Every time Dom Capers has had two strong outside pass rushers, his defenses have been elite. Think of Lloyd/Greene, Swilling/Jackson and Lathon/Greene..........

2) The addition of Ted Ginn should significantly upgrade the return game and add some excitement here. Having a strong defense that could improve, field postion is a key part of the game. If Ginn is able to add something to the WR corps that would be of great benefit as well, specifically, if he can push CHambers into the slot that should cut down on the number of dropped balls CHambers has as well as keep the safeties out of the box for the running game. I think Ginn's return skills are more bankable right now than his WR skills.

3) The return of Ricky Williams and addition of Booker to the offense should be of great benefit as well. Williams is a playmaker, more so than Ronnie Brown and he adds a big play threat from the backfield. Booker's quickness and speed should help on 3rd downs as well. Perhaps Booker and Williams will push Ronnie Brown to perform at a higher level as well.

The OL is still a big concern but if the Dolphins are able to improve upon their QB play from last year they can really turn some heads. Trent Green (if he comes...)should be an improvement over anything we saw last year. Every year there are a few teams who drastically improve from the prior year. New Orleans, Philadelphia and Baltimore were all 6-10 or worse heading into last year. Granted, it is usually an upgrade at QB that leads to such successes but with improved offensive play from the additions of Ginn, Green (if he comes...), Williams and Booker and the defense playing as well as they did last year (or perhaps better with Porter) there is reason for optimism.

Prediction: 9-7

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Couldnt agree more. Especially about Ricky and a real QB. Cant understand why people dont realize Ricky is a playmaker and Green is at least Avg. which we havent had a QB since Gus. The last time Ricky took most of the carries and we had decent QB play we won 6 in a row. This offense is going to be much better than people think. Couple that with the D I will say playoff year. If things fall just right I dont count us out of GOIN TO THE BOWL.
 
I agree we improved on defense, but the loss of Carter, Zgonina, and (presumably) Wilkinson will be felt. We are very thin on the defensive line, as all of the young guys are unproven.

Ginn upgrades our receiving core, but the loss of McMichael will hurt. McMichael never lived up to expectations, but he has been a solid starter, something Martin never has been.

I agree with your comments on the running back situation. Should be a nice mix.

The line is a mess. McIntosh, James, and Jacox were all veterans who will be missed. They may have underachieved, but some people here are counting on our sixth round pick, Mormino, to start.

We also play in the tough AFC East. The Jets and Pats are much better than us, and the Bills are about even. 7-9, maybe 8-8.
​
 
Reply

WaywardZest said:
I agree we improved on defense, but the loss of Carter, Zgonina, and (presumably) Wilkinson will be felt. We are very thin on the defensive line, as all of the young guys are unproven.​


Ginn upgrades our receiving core, but the loss of McMichael will hurt. McMichael never lived up to expectations, but he has been a solid starter, something Martin never has been.​

I agree with your comments on the running back situation. Should be a nice mix.​

The line is a mess. McIntosh, James, and Jacox were all veterans who will be missed. They may have underachieved, but some people here are counting on our sixth round pick, Mormino, to start.​

We also play in the tough AFC East. The Jets and Pats are much better than us, and the Bills are about even. 7-9, maybe 8-8.​
Click to expand...

Good points. It would not surprise me to see someone who is not on the team presently end up starting on our OL, for that matter QB (Green) as well. There could be some trade additions as well as pickups from the June 1st cuts. Having said all of that, the defense and special teams improvement should be worth 3 wins. We shall see.
 
With Ginn, Green, Ricky, Ronnie, Chris, and Booker our O-line better improve. 11-5 WITH SOME LUCK 9-7 at worst. Go PHINS
 
I Second That!!

I agree with all your points!! I really think we have to get Ricky back, I think there is nothing better than fresh legs in the backfield for both Ron and Rick!!! Also, we have to start taking care of business within our own division first!! We can't be getting swept by the Jets and Bills,splitting with the Pats and expect to have a chance at the playoffs, you have to take care of the division first!!! LET'S GO PHINS!!!
 
Agreed. I'm glad it's optimism and 9-7, and not something crazy like saying, "Super Bowl Champs, woooooo!" like that one thread earlier today.

Good evaluation, though
 
KippyIA1354 said:
I agree with all your points!! I really think we have to get Ricky back, I think there is nothing better than fresh legs in the backfield for both Ron and Rick!!!
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I believe it is imperative to have Ricky back if this offense in its first year is to be successful; .. Having a one two punch like like Brown and Williams is great to rely on when you have a new offense installed and a new QB, and with all the line changes

We need those two to platoon at RB to wear those defenses down in the 4th quarter.. I believe Cameron will install alot of plays that will surprise people.. He is a great offensive mind ..

I'm excited we finally have an offensive mind as head coach.. Not since Shula have we had that.. Let's hope it brings results.. And those results will come faster if Miami keeps Ricky Williams.. Because this guy is a difference maker bigtime..

Ask any defensive coordinator if they'd rather prepare for Ricky and Ronnie, or just Ronnie alone.. And the other 31 DC's in the league would say the latter.....
 
8-8 would be a massive success as the team stands right now (Rookie QB, injured #1 pick, no OL, Ricky waiting for clearance...). The front 7 is the only thing that looks good about this team. And maybe the punter...

The 2 of the 3 teams you mentioned were elite-level teams in the last several years who were missing QBs (either to a hole at the position-Baltimore, or injuries-Philly). The Saints had much more to work with when they added Drew Brees and Reggie Bush in the same off-season. And they don't have anyone who's that good in their division.

We've got a perennial powerhouse sitting at the top of the division, and there are teams that have a much easier path to the WildCard than the Dolphins. Barring a 6-game win streak after we've been eliminated from the playoff picture, we should be drafting in the top half.
 
And we let Olindo Mare go in favor of Feeley, Mare may be good for anther team, but for what we needed he just wasn't getting the job done, even his kick offs, once a strong point, had fallen off.
 
EireTiger said:
Coming off of a 6-10 season, here are some reasons for optimism this upcoming season:

1) The Defense..........the majority of the starters are back and we have added Joey Porter, a balancing force on the opposite side of Jason Taylor. Porter's ability to cover TEs and backs out of the backfield as well as put pressure on the QB should be a huge upgrade. Every time Dom Capers has had two strong outside pass rushers, his defenses have been elite. Think of Lloyd/Greene, Swilling/Jackson and Lathon/Greene..........

2) The addition of Ted Ginn should significantly upgrade the return game and add some excitement here. Having a strong defense that could improve, field postion is a key part of the game. If Ginn is able to add something to the WR corps that would be of great benefit as well, specifically, if he can push CHambers into the slot that should cut down on the number of dropped balls CHambers has as well as keep the safeties out of the box for the running game. I think Ginn's return skills are more bankable right now than his WR skills.

3) The return of Ricky Williams and addition of Booker to the offense should be of great benefit as well. Williams is a playmaker, more so than Ronnie Brown and he adds a big play threat from the backfield. Booker's quickness and speed should help on 3rd downs as well. Perhaps Booker and Williams will push Ronnie Brown to perform at a higher level as well.

The OL is still a big concern but if the Dolphins are able to improve upon their QB play from last year they can really turn some heads. Trent Green (if he comes...)should be an improvement over anything we saw last year. Every year there are a few teams who drastically improve from the prior year. New Orleans, Philadelphia and Baltimore were all 6-10 or worse heading into last year. Granted, it is usually an upgrade at QB that leads to such successes but with improved offensive play from the additions of Ginn, Green (if he comes...), Williams and Booker and the defense playing as well as they did last year (or perhaps better with Porter) there is reason for optimism.

Prediction: 9-7

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Good realistic post.

On defense I am also excited about the additions of Soliai and a fully recovered Rod Wright. The front seven is definately looking good. My concern is our DB's which hopefully should improve if only due to a better pass rush and improved health.

Special teams progression should be interesting. Ginn should be a definate upgrade (although Welker was no slouch). However, the losses of Minor, Morris and Bowens may hurt more than we realize unless we found some gems though the draft. I'm also curious to see how they utilize Ginn and Booker since both have return skills.

WR is where we may miss Welker the most. He didn't score much but he was definately clutch on third downs. But I do have a good feeling about Hogan helping more. He started to show life at the end of last season and reports are he looked pretty good this past weekend. And like you said, there is no way a healthy Ginn doesn't help CC and improve this squad.

RW is a great player and I hope he is back but it also wouldn't surprise me if Meuller swung a deal for him. If he is gone, Booker has shown flashes and hopefully can improve on his blitz pick up.

Oline is definately the biggest unknown along with QB. I'm thinking it will probably again take at a few games to look respectable due to at least 4 of 5 position changes (not counting TE). And QB will depend. I agree Green due to his familarity with the system is the best choice, but at what cost? It would be ideal if DC could be successful, but is he healthy and a fit for the system? Beck, let him sit. Lemon???

8-8 would be a good year. 9-7 would be great. And earning a wildcard would be awesome.
 
imakillu said:
I can honestly see Miami go undefeated this year.. All we need is for something to click at QB wither it be Green, Beck or Cpep. Theres not one game on the schedule I have us pegged to lose.. Dolphins will suprise people this year..​
Click to expand...

Nice. Im with you. Just the two differences of having a real QB instead of Dullpepper and Harrington and Ricky coming back is worth a ton. We will be better than everyone thinks.
 
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