Yahoo has Miami pegged at #20 in their Team Rankings | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Yahoo has Miami pegged at #20 in their Team Rankings

DuderinoN703

DuderinoN703

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This team’s best-case scenario for the 2014 season: Is there a reason to believe the Dolphins can't be in playoff contention? They were a home win against the Jets from a playoff spot last year, there won't be anywhere near the amount of distractions this year (they hope), they had a decent offseason and their quarterback might have a third-year breakout. They're being chronically undervalued in preseason power rankings, perhaps even in this one.


And here’s the nightmare scenario: While the Dolphins' battle to 8-8 was impressive, it was still just 8-8 and six of their wins came by less than a touchdown. It was far from a dominant team. The offensive line is better but still not great. The defense is good but not great. In fact, the Dolphins don't do anything at a truly elite level, so their best hope might be to keep grinding out close wins. And if the luck changes a bit, the record will too.


The crystal ball says: The Dolphins have some good pieces to build around, and they're probably the second-best team in the AFC East. Yet, unless Tannehill takes a mega-leap, this is probably a good team that's not good enough to make the playoffs.
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http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...g-for-quieter-season-this-year-152421135.html
 
Seems about right. If Tannehill takes the next step we are in playoff contention, if he regresses or plateaus we won't be. I'm also curious to see how Clay does this year. Was last year a fluke or is he the real deal looking at a big contract?
 
8-8 seasons forced Shula into retirement...just sayin..
This team is lacking elite players. the legacy of Jeff ireland.
Hopefully Hickey can find a few.
 
LANGER72 said:
8-8 seasons forced Shula into retirement...just sayin..
This team is lacking elite players. the legacy of Jeff ireland.
Hopefully Hickey can find a few.
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Ireland brought us Wake, Long, Pouncey, and Starks.

At one point in each of their time with Miami, you could call them elite. You don't need a few elite studs. You need depth and quality across the board. Jeff Ireland did exactly what you wanted and look where it got us?

Im hoping Hickey keeps doing what he's doing and filling huge needs with fairly top rated talent and taking calculated risks. Most people would have said Miami should skip a receiver in the 2nd, as it is one of their strongest positions from last year, and go right for MORE offensive linemen.

Instead, he grabs a receiver. A guy that you wouldn't call elite based on anything you'd see in shorts... but he grabbed a FOOTBALL player. A great looking receiver who has the making of a 10 year vet at the #2 spot. That's that kind of drafting I want.
 
seems fair, it's refreshing to see a member of the national media actually knowledgeable about the team.
 
Meh ... Seems a bit more realistic than that 31st ranked crap from earlier ... But, it still ain't worth jack **** at this point. :idk:
 
These articles kill me, other than the Seahawk and 49er elite defenses, and the Broncos elite offense, who else has an elite offense or defense?

Philly offense maybe? New Orleans offense? Detroit offense? Carolina defense?

Please don't say the Pats.

Most teams have a few elite players, not fully elite units just like the Fins.
 
Nublar7 said:
Much more realistic outlook than some of the team rankings lately.
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Miami Dolphins: No. 37 team out of 32 teams. Their quarterback can't seem to locate his curveball, while the running backs can't seem to execute the 7-10 split. I really like the big fellas in the trenches to eat a record amount of hot dogs at this year's Nathan's hot dog eating contest. The receivers failed to take a pitstop at the correct time and fell behind when the caution flag was out. Jamar Taylor is one yellow card away from giving his team a power play. Caleb Sturgis really needs to improve his three-point percentage if he wants to play on this third line.
 
I think they nailed it, with the right reasons mentioned in the explanation. Playoff fringe team, probably on the outside looking in. A little help with the ball bouncing our way and some units like the line gelling could help, or the opposite could quickly sink us. But I'd say they have us pegged pretty well for now.

I think our best hope is that Lazor is next year's rising star.
 
Realistic ranking, but I do think it is still low. Consider the status quo:

1. We played more close games than any other team last year. That screams middle.

2. We beat the Patriots, Bengals, Colts and Chargers. That's all 3 of the AFC division winners we played and all 4 AFC playoff teams we played. We beat our own division winner ... and lost to them once on a game with shambolic refereeing that resuscitated a team about to lose ... multiple times. That all means we have the potential and track record to play with the top echelon of the AFC.

3. We did not play the excellent Denver Broncos or surprising Kansas City Chiefs, but we took the injured defending Champs Baltimore Ravens to overtime. Only in New Orleans were we truly outclassed.

4. We weathered Jonathan Martin and his drama induced media circus.

Now we have improved. We have a much better LT. We have much better Offensive Coordinator and OL Coach. Our talented but inexperienced QB is more experienced and has time to gel with his deeper receiving corps.

IMHO, these things point to better than 8-8 and middle of the league. When the season is done I expect us to be ranked around 12th. Not a top team, but better than mediocre ... and very young.
 
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