We all must remember.....

[Noodleman]

This is Saban's first year at the helm. Unlike other sports, I don't think a first year coach has ever won a super bowl(maybe Siefert). Regardless, I see the fins winning 5-9 games tops. They need another solid year before they compete in the TOUGHEST division in football. I hate the Bills, Jets, and Pats as much as any of you but the reality is that they are a better teams than the fins. They have had way better drafts and way better offseasons in general. Saban will change that, but it will take time. I, for one, am looking forward to having a team that overachieves as opposed to under achieves. Our leaders have been terrible since the 62-7 debacle in Jacksonville.

 

[MarinoIsKeen]

It took time for all of his past success, we must all be patient. It's a virtue and all that. Great insight about that aspect and other things Saban, are wonderfully discussed in his "How Good Do You Want to Be" book. Highly reccomended.

 

[Fin Fan in Cali]

This is Saban's first year at the helm. Unlike other sports, I don't think a first year coach has ever won a super bowl(maybe Siefert). Regardless, I see the fins winning 5-9 games tops. They need another solid year before they compete in the TOUGHEST division in football. I hate the Bills, Jets, and Pats as much as any of you but the reality is that they are a better teams than the fins. They have had way better drafts and way better offseasons in general. Saban will change that, but it will take time. I, for one, am looking forward to having a team that overachieves as opposed to under achieves. Our leaders have been terrible since the 62-7 debacle in Jacksonville.

I agree the Pats are better, the Jets are slightly better, and as far as I am concerned, we are even with the Bills. That is just my opinion. The reason I said that about the Jets is because if Chad goes down, ears will be throwing our defense the ball.

 

[dolfancoolio]

This is Saban's first year at the helm. Unlike other sports, I don't think a first year coach has ever won a super bowl(maybe Siefert). Regardless, I see the fins winning 5-9 games tops. They need another solid year before they compete in the TOUGHEST division in football. I hate the Bills, Jets, and Pats as much as any of you but the reality is that they are a better teams than the fins. They have had way better drafts and way better offseasons in general. Saban will change that, but it will take time. I, for one, am looking forward to having a team that overachieves as opposed to under achieves. Our leaders have been terrible since the 62-7 debacle in Jacksonville.

wasn't gruden a first year head coach??? you may be talking about first year coaches in general in which case yes it is very difficult to get to the superbowl in your first year in the league.

 

[King Nate]

wasn't gruden a first year head coach??? you may be talking about first year coaches in general in which case yes it is very difficult to get to the superbowl in your first year in the league.

It was just Gruden's first year with the Bucs, he was the head coach of the Raiders before Tampa traded for him with lots of money and draft picks.

 

[MikeO]

I agree the Pats are better, the Jets are slightly better, and as far as I am concerned, we are even with the Bills. That is just my opinion. The reason I said that about the Jets is because if Chad goes down, ears will be throwing our defense the ball.

1) The Pats are better that is clear. But they are starting to crack with some key loses. Still the "class" of the division though.

2) The Jets are good but Curtis Martin is going to hit the wall eventually. And Pennington can't stay healthy. The Jets defense may be the best in the NFL. Their front 7 IS the best in the NFL. Their defense will carry them.

3) Buffalo has no quarterback (much like us) and Im not sold on Willis producing for 16 games. That knee can't and won't hold up.

 

[Dolfandenny]

Nice post Noodleman. I will be happy too just gain back some respect in the division and league. This team next year should be fearsome. Nice too see fans from other states. I have lived in Fla almost my whole life and there seems too be more Dolphin fans in other states than here.

 

[Mfinsrule]

This is Saban's first year at the helm. Unlike other sports, I don't think a first year coach has ever won a super bowl(maybe Siefert). Regardless, I see the fins winning 5-9 games tops. They need another solid year before they compete in the TOUGHEST division in football. I hate the Bills, Jets, and Pats as much as any of you but the reality is that they are a better teams than the fins. They have had way better drafts and way better offseasons in general. Saban will change that, but it will take time. I, for one, am looking forward to having a team that overachieves as opposed to under achieves. Our leaders have been terrible since the 62-7 debacle in Jacksonville.

Way better drafts and offseasons in general?! I don't think any of our division rivals even come close to the offseason and draft acquisitions we have had. Granted you are correct that right now they are better teams but as they say "that is why they play the games".

It is possible to have a first year coach succeed. It is not likely in our situation with the vast number of new players, because the successful new coaches who have won Superbowls did so with established rosters and very little influx of new talent except maybe a high profile free agent.

 

[Noodleman]

I mean drafts under wanny and even JJ. The fact is that we haven't drafted well or made good offseason choices for a long while. I agree this offseason and draft was very good that is why I am hopeful for the future.

 

[FanMarino]

This is Saban's first year at the helm. Unlike other sports, I don't think a first year coach has ever won a super bowl(maybe Siefert). Regardless, I see the fins winning 5-9 games tops. They need another solid year before they compete in the TOUGHEST division in football. I hate the Bills, Jets, and Pats as much as any of you but the reality is that they are a better teams than the fins. They have had way better drafts and way better offseasons in general. Saban will change that, but it will take time. I, for one, am looking forward to having a team that overachieves as opposed to under achieves. Our leaders have been terrible since the 62-7 debacle in Jacksonville.

If we win 9 games i'll be happy. 5 games then i wont be happy. improvement is gradual. But we have too many good players to just win 5 games IMO.

 

[fishfan34]

5 to 9 games? A four game swing can be a big difference in the NFL you're saying we're anywhere from a top 10 draft pick to a possible wild card team. You need to close that gap a bit. Obviously we won 4 games last year and as has been well documented in here, we were in every game but one, and coaching had alot, ALOT to do with that. We've improved in some areas and been deflated in others, however, we have some damn good coaches and I see Nick pushing alot of the right buttons right now. I think we'll be improved sooner rather than later, although i'm not going to run my hopes up for greatness right away, and I will give Nick at least 3 years to get us back to a consistent playoff team, I will not be surprised to see us contending next season.

 

[Justasportsfan]

wasn't gruden a first year head coach??? you may be talking about first year coaches in general in which case yes it is very difficult to get to the superbowl in your first year in the league.

Gruden didn't change anything thaty Dungy started.He also kept the same players and didn't lose any continuity w/ team chemistry.

Saban is rebuliding and installing a new system both defensively and offensively. He brought in new players that will have to get comfortable w/ each other. How Zach and JT will do in a new system also remains to be seen.