This team doesn't have the FEEL of a collossal failure...

[SkapePhin]

Many people in the media, and some fans, expect the Dolphins to fall apart this season. They expect them to collapse under the pressure of a coaching staff on the hot seat.

We have all witnessed it before, with the infamous Wanny breakdown in 2004, and even with Saban in 2006. You got the sense with those teams were ready for a downward spiral. Wanny and Spielman went into all out desperation mode in 2004 once Ricky quit. The writing was on the wall from the onset. To top it off, you could clearly see that Wanny lost control of the team and himself. He was a nervous wreck.

I believe the same could be said of Saban, even though many of us had high expectations for that season. You could tell Saban was lacking in confidence from the first game when he was hesitant throwing that challenge flag. Culpepper wasn't healthy and everyone knew. He realized his mistake early on and was prepared for the failure.

Now, with this group, I get a different feeling. Sparano and Ireland don't appear desperate. They actually appear confident. They have made no moves of sheer desperation such as Wannspiel did in 2004 (3rd round pick for Lamar Gordon?). Instead, Sparano has calmly gotten the team ready, embraced a philosophy change and has spoken with confidence. You see that confidence coming across within the team itself, with veterans and newcomers each putting forth a confident persona to the outside world.

Henne is a question mark, but I have also noticed a change in his demeanor and attitude as well, and his teamates appear to notice that as well, having mentioned it.

I could be wrong, but this just feel like one of those years where everything rides off a cliff.

 

[ckparrothead]

I don't know that it ever does feel like that.

Even in 2007, there was a lot of optimism. The idea was pretty simple. The Dolphins had a great defense built by Nick Saban that would continue to be coached by Dom Capers, in fact they added to that defense by signing Joey Porter, and the only big problem was the offense where you had "guru" Cam Cameron to revamp everything. To this day that all still SEEMS like a sound idea. But the wheels fell off all that rather quickly, and I think in hindsight is when people look back and say oh well we kind of knew that was coming.

Let's say the Dolphins ARE an abject failure this year. One year from now, are you going to look back on it and say, "Boy, I didn't see that one coming at all"?

I think we both know that's not true.

It's hard to predict awesomely bad, just as it's hard to predict awesomely good (in most cases). So there's no way you can go into this season thinking this team is going 1-15 or even 3-13.

But at the same time...there are lot of predictions within the 'normal' ranges of 6-10 to 10-6...and I think more of them steer toward 6-10 than 10-6. Could be that everyone is just being fooled and the Dolphins really will turn it around. Don't know if I'm betting on that, though.

 

[WISfinfan13]

I agree...The players like Sparano and I think they have a chip on there shoulder...They want to prove the Ross wrong for even thinking about getting rid of him...The Defense is gunna be nasty...And Chad cant be any worse...I think he will improve alot with Daboll at the the helm...

 

[fatkirstyalley]

Many people in the media, and some fans, expect the Dolphins to fall apart this season. They expect them to collapse under the pressure of a coaching staff on the hot seat.

We have all witnessed it before, with the infamous Wanny breakdown in 2004, and even with Saban in 2006. You got the sense with those teams were ready for a downward spiral. Wanny and Spielman went into all out desperation mode in 2004 once Ricky quit. The writing was on the wall from the onset. To top it off, you could clearly see that Wanny lost control of the team and himself. He was a nervous wreck.

I believe the same could be said of Saban, even though many of us had high expectations for that season. You could tell Saban was lacking in confidence from the first game when he was hesitant throwing that challenge flag. Culpepper wasn't healthy and everyone knew. He realized his mistake early on and was prepared for the failure.

Now, with this group, I get a different feeling. Sparano and Ireland don't appear desperate. They actually appear confident. They have made no moves of sheer desperation such as Wannspiel did in 2004 (3rd round pick for Lamar Gordon?). Instead, Sparano has calmly gotten the team ready, embraced a philosophy change and has spoken with confidence. You see that confidence coming across within the team itself, with veterans and newcomers each putting forth a confident persona to the outside world.

Henne is a question mark, but I have also noticed a change in his demeanor and attitude as well, and his teamates appear to notice that as well, having mentioned it.

I could be wrong, but this just feel like one of those years where everything rides off a cliff.

I get what youre saying. I happen to agree with you. Especially with all the recent bravado. This just feels different. Nice post

 

[rent this space]

I agree, I don't see a 3-4 win team as some have predicted. So far, they look better than last year. Burnett in place of Crowder alone makes the defense better. Dumping Henning alone makes the offense better.

 

[SkapePhin]

I don't know that it ever does feel like that.

Even in 2007, there was a lot of optimism. The idea was pretty simple. The Dolphins had a great defense built by Nick Saban that would continue to be coached by Dom Capers, in fact they added to that defense by signing Joey Porter, and the only big problem was the offense where you had "guru" Cam Cameron to revamp everything. To this day that all still SEEMS like a sound idea. But the wheels fell off all that rather quickly, and I think in hindsight is when people look back and say oh well we kind of knew that was coming.

Let's say the Dolphins ARE an abject failure this year. One year from now, are you going to look back on it and say, "Boy, I didn't see that one coming at all"?

I think we both know that's not true.

It's hard to predict awesomely bad, just as it's hard to predict awesomely good (in most cases). So there's no way you can go into this season thinking this team is going 1-15 or even 3-13.

But at the same time...there are lot of predictions within the 'normal' ranges of 6-10 to 10-6...and I think more of them steer toward 6-10 than 10-6. Could be that everyone is just being fooled and the Dolphins really will turn it around. Don't know if I'm betting on that, though.

I can only speak for myself, but personally I never had much confidence in 2007. I thought Cam Cameron was a poor choice and I didn't like the Trent Green signing. I did actually like the Beck pick, and thought we had a decent drafted other than Ginn pick, but obviously that didn't hold up.

I will admit I have always had confidence in this group. I like Sparano's leadership. I think he has many positive attributes of other successful head coaches. But again, I don't see anything in Sparano right now that is similar to the frantic behavior displayed by Wanny and even Saban before their failed seasons.

I could be completely off base with this, but I dont remember any of those teams having the confidence (and young talent) that is on this current team.

 

[Wildbill3]

I can only speak for myself, but personally I never had much confidence in 2007. I thought Cam Cameron was a poor choice and I didn't like the Trent Green signing. I did actually like the Beck pick, and thought we had a decent drafted other than Ginn pick, but obviously that didn't hold up.

I will admit I have always had confidence in this group. I like Sparano's leadership. I think he has many positive attributes of other successful head coaches. But again, I don't see anything in Sparano right now that is similar to the frantic behavior displayed by Wanny and even Saban before their failed seasons.

I could be completely off base with this, but I dont remember any of those teams having the confidence (and young talent) that is on this current team.

when Cam put ronnie his star runningback on kickoff return duty, you knew something was up with his thinking.

 

[Wildbill3]

I don't know that it ever does feel like that.

Even in 2007, there was a lot of optimism. The idea was pretty simple. The Dolphins had a great defense built by Nick Saban that would continue to be coached by Dom Capers, in fact they added to that defense by signing Joey Porter, and the only big problem was the offense where you had "guru" Cam Cameron to revamp everything. To this day that all still SEEMS like a sound idea. But the wheels fell off all that rather quickly, and I think in hindsight is when people look back and say oh well we kind of knew that was coming.

Let's say the Dolphins ARE an abject failure this year. One year from now, are you going to look back on it and say, "Boy, I didn't see that one coming at all"?

I think we both know that's not true.

It's hard to predict awesomely bad, just as it's hard to predict awesomely good (in most cases). So there's no way you can go into this season thinking this team is going 1-15 or even 3-13.

But at the same time...there are lot of predictions within the 'normal' ranges of 6-10 to 10-6...and I think more of them steer toward 6-10 than 10-6. Could be that everyone is just being fooled and the Dolphins really will turn it around. Don't know if I'm betting on that, though.

so you're betting on not betting? I think the problem is that no one knows what to expect out of this team. those that think Henne has no chance at redeeming his play are more likely to go the 6-10 route, those of us who place more blame on the now thankfully departed and retired Henning, lean more towards 10-6.

 

[ckparrothead]

so you're betting on not betting? I think the problem is that no one knows what to expect out of this team. those that think Henne has no chance at redeeming his play are more likely to go the 6-10 route, those of us who place more blame on the now thankfully departed and retired Henning, lean more towards 10-6.

I think Chad Henne could have like an 85 QB Rating and this team still go 6-10. The ground game does not look healthy to me, and I'm a little worried about a defensive back slide to be honest.

 

[Perfect23]

it's all on the field though on how good this team is.

 

[fishfanmiami]

Thank alot CK.

I was just feeling pretty good about our team and you go and splash reality in to the discussion.

I hate it because you are usually correct about these things.

 

[SkapePhin]

I think Chad Henne could have like an 85 QB Rating and this team still go 6-10. The ground game does not look healthy to me, and I'm a little worried about a defensive back slide to be honest.

I agree that the running game is a bit of an unknown because you don't know if Bush will stay healthy, and don't know how Thomas will perform. However, I think that is offset a bit by the fact that the regime appears to be going for an enhanced passing attack this season. Such teams can do fine without a stellar ground game, IF the QB performs well (see Green Bay, Indy and NE).

What issues do you see in the secondary? How is it any worse than last season?

To me, the biggest determining factor in the success of this season is Henne and the O-Line. Everything else looks solid to me. I am choosing to believe that Henne will not be an abject failure this season.

 

[Chubby]

What issues do you see in the secondary? How is it any worse than last season?

Dont think he means trouble with the Defensive Backs, think he means our Defense regressing or not being as strong as everyone here thinks.
CHubbs

 

[SkapePhin]

Dont think he means trouble with the Defensive Backs, think he means our Defense regressing or not being as strong as everyone here thinks.
CHubbs

Oh... How so? I would think they would only get better in year 2 of Nolan's system, with several young players back and healthy to add to the depth. And also the addition of Burnett. I dont see how they could get worse than last year, barring injury of course. There is a lot more depth on the defense this season.

 

[NYPhinzFan]

Oh... How so? I would think they would only get better in year 2 of Nolan's system, with several young players back and healthy to add to the depth. And also the addition of Burnett. I dont see how they could get worse than last year, barring injury of course. There is a lot more depth on the defense this season.

Yeah I'm with you, the defense is the last thing I'm worried about. Chad Henne and the offensive line are the wild cards to this team's success. Even if our Defense isn't top 5, if Henne and the O-line are efficient, we win 9-10 games minimum IMO.