Phins Rock
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- Jan 29, 2008
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Last season there were a lot of people, including me, who were expecting an 8-8, 7-9 (at the worst), type of season. Obviously that was not the case. Whether Injuries, coaching, or leadership, or all 3, were the case, I don't know. So what should we expect of the Dolphins in 08'? There are many possibilities, but here are the 2 most likely scenarios, in my opinion:
1. The fact that we are rebuilding shows, and we end up having another terrible year.
One thing that a lot of Dolphin fans are expecting, is the departure of fan favorite Jason Taylor. this will almost certainly be the case if we start off slow, maybe 1-3, or 0-4. With JT gone, there goes our leadership and now what we have is a defense with one playmaker: Joey Porter. Ironically, JP came here (besides the $$$$$$$) to play alongside of Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas, both of whom are gone. Probably result: Chaos.
The defense's only hope is now pissed, pissed because he's on a lousy team, with an OK, at best, supporting cast on D. At the same time, the offense struggles...
Beck/McCown struggle to find their grove, and therefore no passing game. Ronnie also does not return in time for the season, or he does but gets very little playing time and/or does not do every well, therefore no running game, at least fort he better part of the season. Sorry Ricky lovers, he's not exactly a perfect replacement for Brown.
All of this kind of sounds like last season without the injuries so far...In this scenario, I'll give the Phins' a 3-13, or 4-12 season.
2. All hail the new Trifecta! Our O-line is fantastic, paving the way for a great season from Ronnie-T-Down-Brown, and also giving Beck, (or McCown), great pass protection, i.e. allowing him to prove to us that it was the right decision to pass on Ryan at numero uno.
All of a sudden, we win a couple of games to begin the season, we're now 3-1, or 3-2, and JT says to himself, "hey, we're all of a sudden a pretty decent team, maybe we won't mount to much this year, but what about next year?" And who knows, the defense thrives from JT's and JP's revamped enthusiasm, and we now have a pretty rock solid, fun defense to watch with Taylor and Porter coming from opposite ends, playing the positions they should be playing (hint hint Dom Capers).
In this scenario, I see an 8-8 type season, probably not a whole lot better then that.
As the not-so-great Dave Wannstedt once said...Sometimes you have to take a step back, in order to take a step forward...Let's just say we can't afford to take a step back.
Final prediction: 7-9.
IF Ronnie comes back healthy, expect a break out season.
If Taylor stays, I will be intrigued as to see how we implement Merling into our defense. He's a little too undersized to play 2-gap DE, and would have to bulk up about 25-30 pounds to be where you would like to see a 34 DE be. Even though he isn't known for his quickness/explosiveness or speed off the line, gaining that much that quickly would take away what explosiveness he does have.
So I'm being enthusiastic and saying 7-9 next season, what are you guys feelin'?
1. The fact that we are rebuilding shows, and we end up having another terrible year.
One thing that a lot of Dolphin fans are expecting, is the departure of fan favorite Jason Taylor. this will almost certainly be the case if we start off slow, maybe 1-3, or 0-4. With JT gone, there goes our leadership and now what we have is a defense with one playmaker: Joey Porter. Ironically, JP came here (besides the $$$$$$$) to play alongside of Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas, both of whom are gone. Probably result: Chaos.
The defense's only hope is now pissed, pissed because he's on a lousy team, with an OK, at best, supporting cast on D. At the same time, the offense struggles...
Beck/McCown struggle to find their grove, and therefore no passing game. Ronnie also does not return in time for the season, or he does but gets very little playing time and/or does not do every well, therefore no running game, at least fort he better part of the season. Sorry Ricky lovers, he's not exactly a perfect replacement for Brown.
All of this kind of sounds like last season without the injuries so far...In this scenario, I'll give the Phins' a 3-13, or 4-12 season.
2. All hail the new Trifecta! Our O-line is fantastic, paving the way for a great season from Ronnie-T-Down-Brown, and also giving Beck, (or McCown), great pass protection, i.e. allowing him to prove to us that it was the right decision to pass on Ryan at numero uno.
All of a sudden, we win a couple of games to begin the season, we're now 3-1, or 3-2, and JT says to himself, "hey, we're all of a sudden a pretty decent team, maybe we won't mount to much this year, but what about next year?" And who knows, the defense thrives from JT's and JP's revamped enthusiasm, and we now have a pretty rock solid, fun defense to watch with Taylor and Porter coming from opposite ends, playing the positions they should be playing (hint hint Dom Capers).
In this scenario, I see an 8-8 type season, probably not a whole lot better then that.
As the not-so-great Dave Wannstedt once said...Sometimes you have to take a step back, in order to take a step forward...Let's just say we can't afford to take a step back.
Final prediction: 7-9.
IF Ronnie comes back healthy, expect a break out season.
If Taylor stays, I will be intrigued as to see how we implement Merling into our defense. He's a little too undersized to play 2-gap DE, and would have to bulk up about 25-30 pounds to be where you would like to see a 34 DE be. Even though he isn't known for his quickness/explosiveness or speed off the line, gaining that much that quickly would take away what explosiveness he does have.
So I'm being enthusiastic and saying 7-9 next season, what are you guys feelin'?
