MDFINFAN said:
This article is pretty much where I'm at with this team right now. I'm optimistic, but also a realist. We have a bunch of new players, new coaches, most significantly the new OC...which means do we have the same level of play calling on the O? Read the article and give your take. Be real about your comments, we're all phin fans and always want to our team to go to the SB, but in terms of what's been done, factor in Gelling time, chemistry, learning the play book, the changes with coaches, more so on the O, and the revamped secondary with no proven stars, where do think we are right now..not the future, like game 4 on,
but right now.
http://www.phins.com/chris/column_051706.html
A write up like this is an enthusiasm breaker.I have a few things to say here and make a note of it.
#1.First of all,there is no doubt in my mind that our secondary has improved REMARKABLY.It is a secondary designed to compliment it's players.Where one player has shortcomings,another is designed to step up.One example of this is how Saban designed his first draft pick to deal with the fact that Will Allen has shortcomings when it comes to dealing with the deep ball.This is where Jason Allen excells.Will Allen is a trooper 20 yards and under.That leaves Jason Allen to playing the position he is supposed to play, Safety.Both are fine tacklers, which i may add is something we have been lacking severely.
If Will Poole returns to the form he was at in his rookie season, We have our other starting corner who will be the biggest "sleeper" on any secondary in the NFL.I will gladly take Will Poole over Madison on my secondary anyday.YOUTH INJECTED!To stand next to Jason Allen is another good tackling Safety in Renaldo Hill.I like guys that can tackle and so does Nick.This guy as well as Deke Cooper can tackle.Hill is an obvious upgrade at the position and both he and Deke can wrap up tackle.Look for Deke on special teams.And I think Travis Daniels has the ability to play many positions in the secondary but we will likely see him mostly at Nickel.Good place for him to make an impact.So our back ups are Tillman,Cooper,Daniels and Bell.Not too bad.And say what you wanna' say about Shulters,the guy couldn't hit a tackling dummy.That's why he is gone.I would gladly give up the 4 int's he got if he would have just tackled somebody on a few of those plays where we got burned!
#2.The main issues that we had in the front 7 was caused by lack of depth.When Seau went out,it hurt us because Spragan is more of a situational guy.He wasn't meant to play every down.He can make an impact,but in the right place and time.Neuman can take up some of that slack,but still,I agree,we need a guy who can really be a starter in the position.I think Saban will gamble a third or fourth rounder in the suplimental draft on Ahmad Brooks.That would help us out alot and then we can look to dumping some excess weight starting with Eddie Moore.But as far as depth,we are one aquisition away from being right where we wanna be.On the D-line is where we see the need to inject youth and health without losing production.That is what will not happen this year.We need Traylor to stay healthy.Our rookies from last year are not ready.If Traylor stays healthy,we have a solid line.If he gets hurt,we will give up some yards up the middle,that's the bottom line.Next year we get better and younger in the middle and we are SOLID at the ends with Carter and Talor and Bowens and Roth backing them up.Don't believe the hype about Roth.He is a solid back up guy.
#3.Our offensive line,after being one of the worst in the leauge a year prior became one of the toughest in the leauge under coach Houk and will continue to improve.Signing Shelton and making MacIntosh sweat it out was pure genious on Saban's part.Then re-signing Mac in a back up capacity will make the man hungry as hell to prove he can start again.Watch both of these guys improve their play 100% over the next year.If Pearson gets healthy,damn, look out!That is one big and talented man.Last I saw Vernon Carey, he looked to have dropped about 30lbs.(I don't know if that is accurate weight but he dropped alot!)That will get the agility going again.It was always said that his weight problem stunted his great talent.Looks like Saban dropped the hammer on him.Seth McInney has always been a decent player,he just has some desision making shortcommings.Look to Houk to correct some of these issues.Not to mention that Seth might not wind up being our starting center.This line will become dominant in a year or two.I have no doubts.
#4.I don't give a damn if it is Joey Harrington or Dante Culpepper behind center.It is still a vast upgrade to anything that has been here since Danny was pushed out by Whinestadt.Nuff said and agree with me or check yourself into a mental institution!
#5.Ronnie CAN and WILL,with a large ammount of enthusiasm,take up the slack and carry the load.Forget Gonjaboy,here comes the Hammer.And by the way,for you Sammy Morris doubters,I believe it was Sammy Morris who gained about 600 yars with a 4 yard per cary average behind one of the worst O-lines in Dolphins history.Do any of you remember that?I cried through every game so I do.
#6.I love our WR"S.Chambers is just STARTING to realize his talent.Marty Booker is highly under rated.Kelly Campbell is an across the middle playmaker.Derek Hagan is a STUD who only had a bad draft because of poor showing in a senior bowl game.Aramashodu is also a raw talent.Welker is an on-field warrior.What he lacks in raw talent he makes up for with heart.I am more than satisfied with what we have accomplished here.Remember a couple years ago when James McNight was our second best reciever.Hmmmm,I do.
In short,there are alot of negatives that can be thrown at you right now,and I know that you don't want to get your hopes up like I have every year just to have them dashed onto the floor along with your heart.I am here today to let you know that this year,under this coach,things will begin to change.The Miami Dolphins WILL make the playoffs.I am certain of this.I have only stated that I was CERTAIN of our Dolphins winning before 2 times.The first time was in the early eighties.I was about 9-10 years old.We lived in Secaucus N.J. and My whole family were HUGE Dolfans because my cousin is Tommy Vigorito.All my friends would pick on me and most of them were Jet,Giant or Cowboy fans.It was during the time when nobody thought the Bears could be beaten.Especially the kids at school.My mom and brother and sister did not think Miami would win.The night before the game my cousin was on the Art Rust Jr. radio show.We have it taped still today.(on cassette,lol..)We called in and Tommy told Art"Art,that's my cousin"...and we all told Tommy how much we were rooting for him and how much we loved the Dolphins.After my mom hunng up the phone,and you can ask her,she will remember,I said "mom, the Dolphins are going to win that game...if I had a million dollars,I would bet it right now.They are gonna win by two touchdowns".And I think you all know what happened that very next day.
The second time I said that Miami would win was right after the Bills game last year.I said to my mother and my brother on the phone "The Dolphins aren't gonna' lose another game this year,I know it...No way they lose again this year."And I think we all know what happened in the next 4 games.
I am saying right now for all of you to read,The Miami Dolphins will make the playoffs this year.I can't predict the Super Bowl,they have to earn that once they are there,but I know with everything that I have ever known that they will be in the playoffs.
