Sun-Sentinel Staff predictions: How will Dolphins fare in 2009?
- Thread starter BAMAPHIN 22
- Start date
Man, if the Fins can't get any love from their local sports writers how does anyone expect us to get any from the national media. Just once I would like to read an article from either the Herald, Palm Beach, or Sun Sentinal saying how much the Fins are being underrated by the national media and that the rest of the NFL needs to take notice.
On second thought that would probably be a bad idea as I would probably die of a heart attack due to the shock.
On second thought that would probably be a bad idea as I would probably die of a heart attack due to the shock.
Captain Lou
FinHeaven VIP
We aren't underrated! We won a lot of close games against a lot medoicre teams but we won all the same. We are far from a dominant team. Maybe this year that will change. We shall see but we are certainly not underrated!
ckparrothead
Premium Member
The Dolphins went 4-6 against teams that were 8-8 or better in 2008. Skolnick has the team going 4-9 against teams whose 2008 records were 8-8 or better...QED, Ethan thinks the Dolphins have gotten worse.
It is mildly disturbing that the Dolphins only play three teams that had a losing record in 2008. I think those three games will end up wins because I do not think either of the two teams has gotten significantly better (and may have in fact gotten worse). If 2008 is any indication (Dolphins were very good at putting away bad teams), they should be successful in beating bad teams.
In addition, I see the Bucs regressing to a losing team, providing a fourth win. I see the Jets regressing to a losing team, providing a fifth and perhaps a sixth win although I hate predicting a sweep of the Jets when the Dolphins hardly ever sweep the Jets. So I've got 6 losing opponents providing for roughly 5 or perhaps 6 wins. Remember, the Dolphins did not lose to a single sub-.500 opponent in 2008. So going 5-1 against these opponents that I personally believe will be sub-.500, would actually be worse than 2008.
What if you take the Week 17 game aside and figure in a W because the Steelers will in all likelihood be playing their backups by Week 17? I see that as a likelihood, but not an absolute...so what I would want to do with it is stick that game in with the 6 losing opponents and figure that between the 7 opponents, my expected value is 6 wins.
Then you have 9 teams that should be 8-8 or better. If the Dolphins were 4-6 against those teams in 2008, and they've gotten better, should they not go at least 5-4 against those teams? That would give the Dolphins an 11-5 record.
An 11-5 record, built on the following suppositions:
1. The Bills will continue to be a losing team. They were 2-8 in their last 10 games of 2008, they totally destroyed their offensive line, and Terrell Owens can't help them at his age.
2. The Jaguars will continue to be a losing team. Torry Holt can't help at his age and they've got a revamped OL that will take time to come on, a revamped WRs unit, a QB under heavy fire, inconsistent LBs and a coach openly feuding with the best player on the team John Henderson.
3. The Jets will regress to being a losing team. They finished 2008 with a whimper, and they're trying to go with a rookie QB throwing to only one valid WR.
4. The Bucs will regress to being a losing team. Loss of Monty Kiffin, loss of Gruden's offensive schemes, penny pinching front office and undertalented lines on both sides, this could be a horror story by year's end.
5. There is a strong possibility the Steelers have their playoff standing wrapped up by Week 17. If so, they will not risk their starters in a meaningless road game. Miami is good at beating teams they should, and finishing the year strong, so they should beat the Steelers' backups if that is who they play.
6. The other 9 opponents will have a handful of 8-8/9-7/10-6 type teams...they won't all be 12-4 or 13-3 type teams. Teams like the Chargers, Saints, Texans, Colts, Falcons...they could all hover around or just over the .500 mark, IMO.
7. The Dolphins have actually improved and are a better team than in 2008.
If you believe those 7 things, then I think you believe in a 10-6 or 11-5 record. I say this because the Dolphins went 4-6 against teams 8-8 or better in 2008, and went 7-0 against losing teams. I could see the team going 6-1 against "easier" opponents this year, even if they're still better than a year ago, because the "easy" opponents of 2009 should be a little harder than the "easy" opponents of 2008. But they would have to go 5-4 against the 9 non-losers if they want to be considered better than a year ago, IMO. If they do, you've got 11-5. If they go 4-5, you've got 10-6.
I'm going with 10-6 for now...
at Atlanta - W
Indianapolis - L
at San Diego - L
Buffalo - W
New York Jets - W
New Orleans - W
at New York Jets - L
at New England - W
Tampa Bay - W
at Carolina - L
at Buffalo - W
New England - L
at Jacksonville - W
at Tennessee - L
Houston - W
Pittsburgh - W
Total Record: 10-6
It is mildly disturbing that the Dolphins only play three teams that had a losing record in 2008. I think those three games will end up wins because I do not think either of the two teams has gotten significantly better (and may have in fact gotten worse). If 2008 is any indication (Dolphins were very good at putting away bad teams), they should be successful in beating bad teams.
In addition, I see the Bucs regressing to a losing team, providing a fourth win. I see the Jets regressing to a losing team, providing a fifth and perhaps a sixth win although I hate predicting a sweep of the Jets when the Dolphins hardly ever sweep the Jets. So I've got 6 losing opponents providing for roughly 5 or perhaps 6 wins. Remember, the Dolphins did not lose to a single sub-.500 opponent in 2008. So going 5-1 against these opponents that I personally believe will be sub-.500, would actually be worse than 2008.
What if you take the Week 17 game aside and figure in a W because the Steelers will in all likelihood be playing their backups by Week 17? I see that as a likelihood, but not an absolute...so what I would want to do with it is stick that game in with the 6 losing opponents and figure that between the 7 opponents, my expected value is 6 wins.
Then you have 9 teams that should be 8-8 or better. If the Dolphins were 4-6 against those teams in 2008, and they've gotten better, should they not go at least 5-4 against those teams? That would give the Dolphins an 11-5 record.
An 11-5 record, built on the following suppositions:
1. The Bills will continue to be a losing team. They were 2-8 in their last 10 games of 2008, they totally destroyed their offensive line, and Terrell Owens can't help them at his age.
2. The Jaguars will continue to be a losing team. Torry Holt can't help at his age and they've got a revamped OL that will take time to come on, a revamped WRs unit, a QB under heavy fire, inconsistent LBs and a coach openly feuding with the best player on the team John Henderson.
3. The Jets will regress to being a losing team. They finished 2008 with a whimper, and they're trying to go with a rookie QB throwing to only one valid WR.
4. The Bucs will regress to being a losing team. Loss of Monty Kiffin, loss of Gruden's offensive schemes, penny pinching front office and undertalented lines on both sides, this could be a horror story by year's end.
5. There is a strong possibility the Steelers have their playoff standing wrapped up by Week 17. If so, they will not risk their starters in a meaningless road game. Miami is good at beating teams they should, and finishing the year strong, so they should beat the Steelers' backups if that is who they play.
6. The other 9 opponents will have a handful of 8-8/9-7/10-6 type teams...they won't all be 12-4 or 13-3 type teams. Teams like the Chargers, Saints, Texans, Colts, Falcons...they could all hover around or just over the .500 mark, IMO.
7. The Dolphins have actually improved and are a better team than in 2008.
If you believe those 7 things, then I think you believe in a 10-6 or 11-5 record. I say this because the Dolphins went 4-6 against teams 8-8 or better in 2008, and went 7-0 against losing teams. I could see the team going 6-1 against "easier" opponents this year, even if they're still better than a year ago, because the "easy" opponents of 2009 should be a little harder than the "easy" opponents of 2008. But they would have to go 5-4 against the 9 non-losers if they want to be considered better than a year ago, IMO. If they do, you've got 11-5. If they go 4-5, you've got 10-6.
I'm going with 10-6 for now...
at Atlanta - W
Indianapolis - L
at San Diego - L
Buffalo - W
New York Jets - W
New Orleans - W
at New York Jets - L
at New England - W
Tampa Bay - W
at Carolina - L
at Buffalo - W
New England - L
at Jacksonville - W
at Tennessee - L
Houston - W
Pittsburgh - W
Total Record: 10-6
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I like your way of breaking it down. I think we will be 9-7 or 10-6. On a side note, Did anybody notice in that article how Omar stated that the Dolphins will be dead last?
godolphins1985
WILDCARD
I don't know how we got worse...who did we lose other than goodman and holiday? we gained jt...wilson...grove...not to mention some good rookies...some writters are twats
GoonBoss
Finheaven Templar
I like your way of breaking it down. I think we will be 9-7 or 10-6. On a side note, Did anybody notice in that article how Omar stated that the Dolphins will be dead last?
Nice. Maybe he'll cry about you mentioning it in his blog.
BAMAPHIN 22
FinHeaven Elite
Good Analysis..
I really think the Dolphins can beat Indy... Historically, Manning normally has a difficult time against the Dolphin D. So I would say: 11-5
72champagne
the annual ritual
Anyone notice that article is dated: 9:12 PM EDT, April 14, 2009??
Omar has us losing the first three games of the season. What a tool.
Omar has us losing the first three games of the season. What a tool.
Dolphins improved their pass rush,their secondary,their LB depth,their DL depth,their OL,their WR corps,their TE depth,special teams,QB depth and versatility,and Ronnie Brown is healthier and stronger and Chad Pennington is now experienced and familiar with everything Dolphin,and Pat White is ?,and Chad Henne may be one of the better backups in the league,and the coaching staff is in year 2 and.........................
What did Atlanta do, besides lose some of their best defenders from a defense that wasn't that good to begin with, got an aging pro-bowl TE if he stays on the feild.
How are the Dolphins underdogs here?
The Colts are a mere shadow of what they were. It's the Colts who probablygo 8-8 next year.
The Chargers are a poorly coached team that did little to improve. Other than the return of The "Merry Roider" why should they beat us? They did nothing to improve their ousy secondary and if their Old NT goes down, their backup is worse than Soliai.
By the time we play NE Taylor will be past his slow start phase and Brady will spend most of the day on the ground. NE's defense is not what it used to be. If Brady has a stellar comeback they may beat us once, but I doubt it. Patriots are in decline and their draft picks won't do anything this year.
Why is Carolina picked by all four to beat us????????
They did absolutely nothing to improve their team. All they did was lose starting CB Lucas and get older. Delhomme sucks.
12-4 AFC Champions
What did Atlanta do, besides lose some of their best defenders from a defense that wasn't that good to begin with, got an aging pro-bowl TE if he stays on the feild.
How are the Dolphins underdogs here?
The Colts are a mere shadow of what they were. It's the Colts who probablygo 8-8 next year.
The Chargers are a poorly coached team that did little to improve. Other than the return of The "Merry Roider" why should they beat us? They did nothing to improve their ousy secondary and if their Old NT goes down, their backup is worse than Soliai.
By the time we play NE Taylor will be past his slow start phase and Brady will spend most of the day on the ground. NE's defense is not what it used to be. If Brady has a stellar comeback they may beat us once, but I doubt it. Patriots are in decline and their draft picks won't do anything this year.
Why is Carolina picked by all four to beat us????????
They did absolutely nothing to improve their team. All they did was lose starting CB Lucas and get older. Delhomme sucks.
12-4 AFC Champions
He also historically has had a difficult time against 3-4 defenses so that bodes well for us also.
Pat Kirwin thinks the loss of Hill was horrible for us.. He's my favorite on sirius, but he is way waaayyy waaaayyy far off on this one.
Rick Cartman
It is what it is
keeping everything in perspective and including us, i'm expecting a few of the teams we play this year to have let downs, this list includes atlanta, tennessee, and carolina. Matt Ryan a sophomore slump, and collins and delhomme i think the honeymoon is near an end, if it isn't already over for jake. The Saints are an exciting team to watch, but that doesn't make them a good team. I expect jacksonville to be a lot better this year too. Finally, could this be the year age finally hits Indy? I think they're slowly regressing into mediocrity and dungy leaving is most likely just speeds up the process.
Bta72dolphins
Active Roster
Agreed!!!!! we are getting to right treatment as of now. Guys we have not been a dominant team for a long time. i absolutely love the schedule we have cause that respect all you guys want if we win a lot games on this schedule we will see that change. I love that we are consider underdogs.. it is not that bad.. we where consider a underdogs every game we played in 72 and look how that turn out. What i am saying we have always been underrated and i love it. I at the end of this year i tell u why i love being underdogs.
CChambers7284
The Biggest Fins Fan from CT
at Atlanta - L
Indianapolis - L
at San Diego - W
Buffalo - W
New York Jets - W
New Orleans - W
at New York Jets - L
at New England - W
Tampa Bay - W
at Carolina - L
at Buffalo - L
New England - L
at Jacksonville - W
at Tennessee - L
Houston - W
Pittsburgh - L
Im predicting 8-8 but like last season we would have thought the chargers, broncos, seahawks would have been losses and we saw how all three turned out.
Im going off if we played them today. Who knows if brady will be fully healthy or if the steelers already cloinched a playoff spot and rest their entire team in that last game? The pantheres could lose deangelo williams or JS and that could make a huge difference.
Its gonna be a tough season and it may be remeniscent of 2006 when we went in wiuth high hopes but a few injuries and better opponents lead to our demise.
Indianapolis - L
at San Diego - W
Buffalo - W
New York Jets - W
New Orleans - W
at New York Jets - L
at New England - W
Tampa Bay - W
at Carolina - L
at Buffalo - L
New England - L
at Jacksonville - W
at Tennessee - L
Houston - W
Pittsburgh - L
Im predicting 8-8 but like last season we would have thought the chargers, broncos, seahawks would have been losses and we saw how all three turned out.
Im going off if we played them today. Who knows if brady will be fully healthy or if the steelers already cloinched a playoff spot and rest their entire team in that last game? The pantheres could lose deangelo williams or JS and that could make a huge difference.
Its gonna be a tough season and it may be remeniscent of 2006 when we went in wiuth high hopes but a few injuries and better opponents lead to our demise.