Like many of you, I am excited about this coming week and the opportunity to be playing an important division game at Thanksgiving time. While I think the Dolphins are playing good enough football to be "in" every game they play from here on out...and possibly "win" more than they lose the rest of the way, I think we should all remember that our expectations for this season were pretty low.
Before the season, I predicted that this team would go 6-10 or possibly 7-9. Now we are sitting at 6-4, basically having already accomplished as many wins as I was hoping for all season. As disappointing as it would be if we didnt win another game...I still would consider this season a success from where we came from.
I told many before the season that I was really excited about this season because of the Big 3 - Parcells, Ireland, and Sparano. Obviously knowing very little about Ireland and Sparano, but basing my opinions of them on the fact that Parcells hand picked them and each of them had worked for him previously. Most of my excitement was not about "records" or "championships" but instead was about good fundamental, quality football.
Guys, this is what makes this season such a success. I have been a big Dolphins fan since the early to mid 80's. We have to admit that it has been a very long time since our Miami Dolphins played good fundamental quality football!!
I was never a Parcells fan necessarily...but I always respected the way his teams played. I usually found myself saying "I wish the Dolphins played like that". Now, for the first time in a very long time, I can say "the Dolphins are starting to play like that".
If you are wondering what I mean by this...you dont have to look much further than very important stat lines...such as:
1. More First Downs than our opponents (196-171)
2. More Rushing First Downs than our opponents (69-55)
3. More rushing attempts than our opponents (280-246)
4. More rushing yards than our opponents (1175-913)
5. Avg. yds per rush greater than our opponents (4.2 - 3.7)
6. Avg. yds per pass greater than our opponents (7.9 - 7.5)
7. Total offensive yards greater than our opponents (3535 - 3152)
8. Avg. yard per play greater than our opponents (5.8 - 5.4)
9. Time of possession greater than our opponents (31:27 - 28:33)
10 Takeaway - Giveaway difference (+7)
This is incredible!!
First of all, it has been a long time since we have won the majority of these categories, yet alone all of them! (I realize that our statistics are not final yet!)
Second, search through the rest of the NFL and see what other teams win these categories...they are the good fundamental teams in this league - like New York Giants, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, etc.
Third, not only are we +7, but what is even more incredible is we have only turned the ball over for a total of 8 times which is #1 in the NFL. Not only is it #1 in the NFL this year, but we have a shot at the lowest amount of turnovers in a season EVER. The lowest ever was 14 in a 16 game season by the New York Giants in 1990 coached by (of course) Bill Parcells. Last year the 16-0 New England Patriots turned the ball over only 15 times. I dont think anyone would compare the 2008 Miami Dolphins talent and expectations with either of those teams. I believe this goes to show what an amazing job our coaches have done this season.
Last, although we may not be "winning" every one of these categories by huge margins like the elite teams in the league...just remember that the Miami Dolphins of 2007 did not "win" one of these categories. We lost everyone of these crucial categories. Now I would have expected us to improve in some or possibly many of these categories and to have "fixed" some of our problems, but never would I have expected to turn it around in each of these categories in one season.
This is what I love about what is happening - while we are not an elite team yet...nor do we have superior talent...we have become a good, competitive football team that knows how the game is won.
So, to wrap this up...all of these stats only backup and confirm what we already know....this team is much improved and is on the right track to be one of the best and most consistent football teams in the NFL for years to come.
I love the way Jeff Ireland said it the day he was hired. When asked what kind of team or product would be put on the field? He answered big, smart, tough...but finally he said...I really dont want to talk about it...because you will be able to tell...believe me, you will see the difference!
I dont think there is anyone who has watched the Dolphins at any length this season who isnt seeing the difference!
Go Phins!!
Before the season, I predicted that this team would go 6-10 or possibly 7-9. Now we are sitting at 6-4, basically having already accomplished as many wins as I was hoping for all season. As disappointing as it would be if we didnt win another game...I still would consider this season a success from where we came from.
I told many before the season that I was really excited about this season because of the Big 3 - Parcells, Ireland, and Sparano. Obviously knowing very little about Ireland and Sparano, but basing my opinions of them on the fact that Parcells hand picked them and each of them had worked for him previously. Most of my excitement was not about "records" or "championships" but instead was about good fundamental, quality football.
Guys, this is what makes this season such a success. I have been a big Dolphins fan since the early to mid 80's. We have to admit that it has been a very long time since our Miami Dolphins played good fundamental quality football!!
I was never a Parcells fan necessarily...but I always respected the way his teams played. I usually found myself saying "I wish the Dolphins played like that". Now, for the first time in a very long time, I can say "the Dolphins are starting to play like that".
If you are wondering what I mean by this...you dont have to look much further than very important stat lines...such as:
1. More First Downs than our opponents (196-171)
2. More Rushing First Downs than our opponents (69-55)
3. More rushing attempts than our opponents (280-246)
4. More rushing yards than our opponents (1175-913)
5. Avg. yds per rush greater than our opponents (4.2 - 3.7)
6. Avg. yds per pass greater than our opponents (7.9 - 7.5)
7. Total offensive yards greater than our opponents (3535 - 3152)
8. Avg. yard per play greater than our opponents (5.8 - 5.4)
9. Time of possession greater than our opponents (31:27 - 28:33)
10 Takeaway - Giveaway difference (+7)
This is incredible!!
First of all, it has been a long time since we have won the majority of these categories, yet alone all of them! (I realize that our statistics are not final yet!)
Second, search through the rest of the NFL and see what other teams win these categories...they are the good fundamental teams in this league - like New York Giants, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, etc.
Third, not only are we +7, but what is even more incredible is we have only turned the ball over for a total of 8 times which is #1 in the NFL. Not only is it #1 in the NFL this year, but we have a shot at the lowest amount of turnovers in a season EVER. The lowest ever was 14 in a 16 game season by the New York Giants in 1990 coached by (of course) Bill Parcells. Last year the 16-0 New England Patriots turned the ball over only 15 times. I dont think anyone would compare the 2008 Miami Dolphins talent and expectations with either of those teams. I believe this goes to show what an amazing job our coaches have done this season.
Last, although we may not be "winning" every one of these categories by huge margins like the elite teams in the league...just remember that the Miami Dolphins of 2007 did not "win" one of these categories. We lost everyone of these crucial categories. Now I would have expected us to improve in some or possibly many of these categories and to have "fixed" some of our problems, but never would I have expected to turn it around in each of these categories in one season.
This is what I love about what is happening - while we are not an elite team yet...nor do we have superior talent...we have become a good, competitive football team that knows how the game is won.
So, to wrap this up...all of these stats only backup and confirm what we already know....this team is much improved and is on the right track to be one of the best and most consistent football teams in the NFL for years to come.
I love the way Jeff Ireland said it the day he was hired. When asked what kind of team or product would be put on the field? He answered big, smart, tough...but finally he said...I really dont want to talk about it...because you will be able to tell...believe me, you will see the difference!
I dont think there is anyone who has watched the Dolphins at any length this season who isnt seeing the difference!
Go Phins!!
