Two or Three Year Project

[SF Dolphin Fan]

This is the NFL and anything can happen, but realistically I feel Miami needs two more outstanding offseasons or three good ones to be considered a serious contender - and that's assuming more than anything that John Beck is the answer at quarterback. There are a lot of holes to fill, specifically the Dolphins need a legitimate LT. I believe Vernon Carey will do okay there, but he's more suited for RT. The secondary still needs to be revamped. I don't see too many long-term keepers there, and no ball hawks, unless Jason Allen develops. Ted Ginn is projected as a #2 type receiver so the team could still use a #1, although I think Cameron could get by without a true number one. Other needs include a dominate guard, maybe a tight end and eventual replacements for Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor. It's going to be tough to find players to fill those shoes. And building the offense without allowing the defense to slip is a serious challenge.

As for this year, I feel Miami is headed in the right direction but I think it could be another down year. Here's my reasoning.

1. QB situation -- even if Trent Green is signed he hasn't had the chance to work with the wide receivers. That takes time, which means the passing game would likely get off to a slow start.

2. Too Many Changes on the OL -- By the time the season starts, the Dolphins could have 3 or 4 new starters or players in different positions. Moving Carey to LT may be the right short-term move, but it means a new LT, LG, RT and RG. Continuity on the line is so important and this is not a good sign. That said, I believe the talent level will be higher with the addition of Satelle and some of the free agent acquisitions.

3. Secondary -- The Dolphins couldn't fill all of their needs in the offseason and the secondary is virtually the same unit that came away with very few big plays last year. Matching up with teams like NE will be a lot more difficult this year.

4. Growing Pains at DT -- The Dolphins did the right thing drafting Paul Soliai. Keith Traylor hasn't been able to make it through the last two seasons and Soliai and Fred Evans will see a lot of playing time. That will help down the road.

5. WR Early Impact -- Ted Ginn Jr. may be just what this team needs, but most wr's take time to develop and don't contribute much their first year. Ginn will likely help the return game initially while he develops. Both Ginn and Beck figure to contribute more in 2008 than 2007

 

[paulomac77]

i agree with you on the simple fact that cam is in the beginning stages of the re-building/ healing phase left by Saban, i still feel that this years team can make some noise in the playoffs just based on the fact that our defense will be tops in the league

 

[SoDakDolfan]

I don't think we're in quite as bad of shape as you indicate, but you are right about there still being some holes to fill. Let's hope some no-name younger players can step it up and surprise.

 

[Dolfins]

Chicago went to the Superbowl with a great defense and a horrible QB.

 

[bert]

1 more draft,and 2 free agents.we should be better this year,but i am looking at next year to.but when you look at the saints, and there coach .it makes you wonder.they had people off balance all year .the saints coach just calls a great game.i'm hoping cam can do the same.are qb play will be key ,as always.

 

[Mr772]

I think the O-Line will struggle until game 3 or 4. It seems to have taken them that long the past two years after major changes. As long as the D can keep us in games until the O starts to click we may have enough wins to keep things close with the jets and pats.

My point being that as long as we play strong in our division we may have an outside shot at the Playoffs. I don't think we have the depth or firepower to got deep in the playoffs but we could slide in and maybe win a game.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I don't think we're in quite as bad of shape as you indicate, but you are right about there still being some holes to fill. Let's hope some no-name younger players can step it up and surprise.

Younger players definitely have to step up and Miami has to hit on a few late round/college free agents as well. Yes, it's possible.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

i agree with you on the simple fact that cam is in the beginning stages of the re-building/ healing phase left by Saban, i still feel that this years team can make some noise in the playoffs just based on the fact that our defense will be tops in the league

I'm a little concerned that the defense could take a step back, despite adding Joey Porter. But I do feel the defense will be top 10 in the league, maybe top 5 if everyone stays healthy.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

1 more draft,and 2 free agents.we should be better this year,but i am looking at next year to.but when you look at the saints, and there coach .it makes you wonder.they had people off balance all year .the saints coach just calls a great game.i'm hoping cam can do the same.are qb play will be key ,as always.

Great point on the playcalling. We saw a huge dropoff from Linehan to Mularkey last year. I believe the offense could improve 10 spots or more, from 30th maybe to 18th.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I think the O-Line will struggle until game 3 or 4. It seems to have taken them that long the past two years after major changes. As long as the D can keep us in games until the O starts to click we may have enough wins to keep things close with the jets and pats.

My point being that as long as we play strong in our division we may have an outside shot at the Playoffs. I don't think we have the depth or firepower to got deep in the playoffs but we could slide in and maybe win a game.

That's possible and that's what makes the NFL so fun. It's a tough schedule to start the year so Miami may have to steal a few games in the early stages. We don't want to see it, but a down year may not be all that bad. We need some top picks to really turn it around.

 

[fadellcastro]

I agree with a lot except what Trent Green would bring. KC has had no receivers, keyword receivers. T.G. was good, but never has Trent been able to throw to speed. He knows the offense already, so getting comfortable with your receivers by the season would not be hard. We just need to get the damn deal done.

 

[Hurricane_Shula]

Chicago went to the Superbowl with a great defense and a horrible QB.

We never sniffed the AFC title game with Jay Fiedler and 8 pro-bowlers on defense. We're going nowhere for a while.

 

[bert]

I agree with a lot except what Trent Green would bring. KC has had no receivers, keyword receivers. T.G. was good, but never has Trent been able to throw to speed. He knows the offense already, so getting comfortable with your receivers by the season would not be hard. We just need to get the damn deal done.

agree 100%.plus teams wont be able to put 8 in the box like they did last year.alot of people forget this,and this alone will help are running game.from what the guys have said about beck at mini camp. he might have a timing issue right now.but that he has a quick release,and throws a tight sprial along with a good deep ball.he just needs time.can you imagine what the finheaven boards,and media would be saying if brady where here throwing wounded ducks on his deep balls.that would just be dam ugly.lets get green and move on.

 

[Crowder52]

This is the NFL and anything can happen, but realistically I feel Miami needs two more outstanding offseasons or three good ones to be considered a serious contender - and that's assuming more than anything that John Beck is the answer at quarterback. There are a lot of holes to fill, specifically the Dolphins need a legitimate LT. I believe Vernon Carey will do okay there, but he's more suited for RT. The secondary still needs to be revamped. I don't see too many long-term keepers there, and no ball hawks, unless Jason Allen develops. Ted Ginn is projected as a #2 type receiver so the team could still use a #1, although I think Cameron could get by without a true number one. Other needs include a dominate guard, maybe a tight end and eventual replacements for Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor. It's going to be tough to find players to fill those shoes. And building the offense without allowing the defense to slip is a serious challenge.

As for this year, I feel Miami is headed in the right direction but I think it could be another down year. Here's my reasoning.

1. QB situation -- even if Trent Green is signed he hasn't had the chance to work with the wide receivers. That takes time, which means the passing game would likely get off to a slow start.

2. Too Many Changes on the OL -- By the time the season starts, the Dolphins could have 3 or 4 new starters or players in different positions. Moving Carey to LT may be the right short-term move, but it means a new LT, LG, RT and RG. Continuity on the line is so important and this is not a good sign. That said, I believe the talent level will be higher with the addition of Satelle and some of the free agent acquisitions.

3. Secondary -- The Dolphins couldn't fill all of their needs in the offseason and the secondary is virtually the same unit that came away with very few big plays last year. Matching up with teams like NE will be a lot more difficult this year.

4. Growing Pains at DT -- The Dolphins did the right thing drafting Paul Soliai. Keith Traylor hasn't been able to make it through the last two seasons and Soliai and Fred Evans will see a lot of playing time. That will help down the road.

5. WR Early Impact -- Ted Ginn Jr. may be just what this team needs, but most wr's take time to develop and don't contribute much their first year. Ginn will likely help the return game initially while he develops. Both Ginn and Beck figure to contribute more in 2008 than 2007

Absolutely agree.

-Beck will take at least a year to develop into a solid QB, if not the usual 2-3 a la Drew Brees.

-We are finally starting to pay attention to the O-Line, which is good, but it is still a work in progress. We will learn a lot about where the unit is headed from the play of Carey at LT.

-The secondary simply scares me and I am absolutely shocked we didn't revamp it at all, but hey, you can't fix everything in a single off-season. I look for that to be next off-season's top priority

-As much as it hurts to say it, the Jets and Pats are two of the best run franchises in the entire league right now and they aren't going downhill anytime soon. It is only reasonable to compare us to them because if we can't finish in the top 2 of our division, we aren't going anywhere. We are starting to close the gap, but a gap still exists.

 

[Crash_Jensen]

Chicago went to the Superbowl with a great defense and a horrible QB.

And won't be back. If you look at the one year wonder QB's (Brad Johnson, Rex Grossman, Trent Dilfer, Etc...) that made a run at the super bowl they got there once and then were horrible the following years (We will see with Grossman)....

If you want to be consistently a threat in this league year after year (Brady, Manning, Mcnabb, etc....) you have to have good QB play. I hate when people say "well Baltimore got there with Dilfer"....

So yes, if the stars align correctly you can make a run with a mediocre QB, once....I would much rather have a chance every year.:tongue: