I keep hearing about expectations for this team, from the pundits to our own fans, some of it realistic, some maybe not..To me, it's not a make or break year, and i've been saying that since last year, It's moreso a year to determine whether or not we have the foundation to build that dynasty, it's to see players that are pivitol to that foundation, step up in their play, and to determine what kind of upward plane this team is really on... It's weird, I'am the most excited i've ever been for an upcoming season, and it's not because I have superbowl expectations, or even going deep into the playoff's. To me, the excitement come's from feeling like were on the cusp of building a dynasty, {something Ive never experienced}, and to see if these things transpire, Will Wake become's special, cause half his game already is, really special. Jared playing like a #1 draft pick, and setting prescedent for a player his size playing at Dend. Misi being that overall linebacker, that we've desperately lacked in that unit for years. Dansby becoming our new defensive leader. Vontae and Sean becoming as good as some expect, and as good as their talent projects. Ronnie staying healthy for the year, and being resigned. Ditto for Jake Grove, the healthy part. Langford stepping up his game, and cementing his position. Henne showing the signs and decision making of a top ten, 90 passer rated, QB...Which imo, is not something i'am not worried about. Watching closely if these things come true are most important to our future, and if they do, wherever we go from there, I'll take it, because I know were on the right course to multiple championships.. I believe a lot of these expectation's fall into the enormous potential of this hybrid offense, there's really an identity forming there...I think the rest of the NFL know's that this offense has been executing really well considering what they've had to work with..An elite talent out on the perimeter changes the dynamic's of everything offense, we've already learned how to execute in a box, and now were giving those same players that extra space that makes everyone involved better, by showcasing that talent against a fair front...Players with elite talent, Brandon, Ricky, Ronnie, Henne, Jake, should be able to dominate to a degree with this extra space. Basically, having this young a football team, {That nobody in the outside world seem's to be able to point out }... with these types of expectations from the outside world, and with the type of jump I personally have for them, it's pretty freakin cool man..... As long as we see positives sign's towards that blueprint towards a dynasty, I'am gonna keep our youth in perspective, and keep an eye on the bigger picture... Our youth is our little secret..
Here's my reason for high expectations Deej: The overall roster may be young, however the key positions: LT QB WR CB Passrusher Aren't, all have 3 or more yrs experience
qb has 16 games under his belt... corners are both in their 2nd year. wake has not been in this situation in his career...I dont equate any of the above as to having 3 years exp. Jake is the sh$#. Henne to brandon in their first year. How high are your expectations?
And how many did Rivers have under his belt moving into his 3rd season? Will Allen ring any bells? Exactly, this is his 4th season. Playing Golf with the Team Owner..dude is smoooothh BMarsh is far better a Wr than anyone Rivers had in his third season. Really high for the Young Guns Deej, they were in 09 as well, with JP coming off a #2 season in DPOY voting, and Penny coming off of #2 in the MVP voting. However, Sparano and Co. did a great job of rotating in young players and getting them starts, names like Henne, Bess, BMarsh, Wake, Starks, Davis, Smith, Big Jake, they all had starters experience or where on heavy rotation into games or where legit NFL starters, aside from Wake all are under 27 yrs old... Toss in BMarsh and a healthy Ronnie B and we are similar to the Chargers teams from the late 2000's. Wake/Merriman Davis/Cromartie Henne/Rivers Brown/LT Starks/Williams Long/McNeil I have some hopes that RGM is our Darren Sproiles.
Henne has 13 games under his belt. That's it except for the game against Arizona in 2008 when he threw 17 passes.
Which is right around the number of Starts Phil Rivers had when the 05 season began..how did that turnout?
Con just answered your question when it comes to rivers and Henne...13 games....and beside's, I think that QB, and that team, is a scam....been saying that for 5 years. Will allen will be our third corner.. I think the point of why I posted this thread is getting lost.....When can we honestly say that any team in the league, that is this young, is expected to compete for the dance?...I dont think people are taking into account how amazing this is, maybe even unprescedented?..idk, I mean, if you take away Pennington from the roster {traded or backup}, where does that put us..how bout our starting unit, I would think that because Will allen, ricky and Chad are not starters, and their 3 out of the four guys we have thats over 30, our starting unit would be the youngest in the league, how bout that ComPadre? The youngest Starting unit in the league....
They went 12-4 and 14-2 with Rivers as newbie Qb Deej. That is why I'm hyped on Henne, now that BMarsh is here, along with a healthy RB and RW and Greg C and BH and..well, you get the idea. That 3rd yr thing may finally work to our benefit. We shall see, at worst he will push VD and SS, at best he snakes SS for a Starters role. As I've said...sort of, Sparano/Irish have pullled off a Rileyesque Coup' via playing young players and remaining Competitive while then adding finishing pieces, BMarsh, Dansby, Rotten Richie, Mike Nolan. But..shhh..repeat after me "Jests will make the SB, they added LT and Taylor, Sanchez will magically become more accurate, Rexxy is soo clever the NFL will not figure out his Defensive Scheme.." Young Guns baby, "old" youngsters as it were, and Cam Wake is Clubber Lang..
Excellent post/thread DJ, agree we are poised to be a contender for many years. We are in year three of Parcells' four year plan, playoffs (possibly deep into) this season IMHO, a few tweaks next off season and SB in 11-12 or 12-13. then we see where we go from there, but our age is what really turns me on when I realize how good I THINK we are.
Alot of these young players have a year under their belt and are used to the way the foundation has been laid out. With that said, I have huge expectations for the offense! Almost all the key positions are young veterans. The only questions are few. However, this is a new defensive scheme, with a ton of new players so I'm not nearly as confident. I do expect a much better team overall, but not making any plans to see them in the SB. BUT it would not surprise me if they make a good run at it.
It's been 25 YEARS since the Dolphins been in the Superbowl, I believe this fact alone does qualify as a make or break it season. We need to win starting now, it's put up or shut up time.
The foundation is being set. I'll be happy making the playoffs with such a young team and so many new players. Once you're in, anything can happen with who is peaking at the right time.
Game day expierience can seldom come from practice,with the rookie CB's and Henne picking up play time last season we should see improvement. Looking foreword to the season.
not having played in a superbowl in 25 years has no relevance on how I judge a regime that took over one of the worst franchises in history.. That initself should make us rethink the entire expectation level for year 3.
Well im certainly very optamistic about the offense, honestly there is no reason not to be with the personell we have there. The defense however, while i believe it will be improved over last year im concerned it wont be improved quite enough. My expectations are a playoff appearance. From there depending on the draw maybe we can get a win but i dont expect anything more than that.
yeah it really is a very young team. what's our oldest unit, RBs? Wr, Qb, O-line, and the entire defense is very young. hopefully these eggs hatch.
