The FO book on the 09 Dolphins

[where's th'fish]

The Football Outsiders advanced statistics' book on the 09 Dolphins ...as interpreted by me. Remember, these are only stats, even if they're unconventional -not any particular writer's opinion on the team:

The Dolphins ended the year ranked 16th, and they've been in that spot for several weeks now. Their ranking has not changed despite the recent losses, in part because the Dolphins have played well in those games, and in part because the Texans and Steelers are ranked above them -and have been for a while now. The Dolphins rank 16th on offense, 18th on defense, and 9th on ST. All in all, pretty unimpressive ...but not bad for a team that was 1-15 only two years ago.

What I find most interesting is that Miami had the 3rd toughest schedule in the league (as calculated now, not before the start of the season), and when you weigh that in, their expected wins climb to 8.8 ...a good indicator of future success. Add the uncommonly high/devastating number of injuries, the fact that they were the 5th most consistent team (which means they are who we think they are), a 3rd place schedule next year, added experience (in particular at QB, but this is a young team -S. Smith, V. Davis, Wake, Hartline, Bess, Ginn, Soliai, Langford, Merling), and a nice draft slot, and I see a lot of good things coming next year.

Or you can focus on the last 3 weeks and decide this team blows and is going nowhere. It's a personal choice.

 

[Dr. Phin]

We played just as I expected at the beginning of the year. We were competative in every game and finished 7-9 as I predicted.

We are right where I think we should be. I expect playoffs next year. If I don't see them...I may be joining WV's crowd. But at this point, I am quite happy with where the team is.

 

[NBP81]

Yup this team is very young so I expect improvement from most player we already have. Add FA and the draft and it starts to smell like the playoffs.

 

[Orlando Fan]

They did a bit worse than I expected I figured a 9-7 to 8-8 at the start of the season. But what impressed me along with the rest of the league is that there was no quit in this team. They know how to battle back when they are behind. Now the next thing they need to learn next season is how to put teams away. be like teams like NE , Colts, etc teams that know how to go for the jugular and rip it out once they have a game where they want it. Once they learn to do that and add a few more peices on both sides of the ball, it will be fun to watch indeed.

 

[Etuoo33]

Good season, not great but good. I say that because of the young players that were involved and showed their worth this year. Guy's like Henne, V. Davis, N.Garner, Hartline, Clemmons, Solai, Wake and Hilliard. Those guy's are keepers and there's a few that are probably in that category, but didn't have great years in '09. The base is there now we need to plug holes. That will determine where we go from here.

 

[Dr. Phin]

They did a bit worse than I expected I figured a 9-7 to 8-8 at the start of the season. But what impressed me along with the rest of the league is that there was no quit in this team. They know how to battle back when they are behind. Now the next thing they need to learn next season is how to put teams away. be like teams like NE , Colts, etc teams that know how to go for the jugular and rip it out once they have a game where they want it. Once they learn to do that and add a few more peices on both sides of the ball, it will be fun to watch indeed.

That would be the next step...and I hope to see that next year. I want to watch some games...lets say 4...in which you can pretty much change the channel after the 2nd (not that I would) because the Phins are kicking the crap out of the opposition...and unlike this year...YOU KNOW THE OTHER TEAM WON'T COME BACK...NO/Indy