I can see the eyes rolling all over ThePhins.com nation. Before we even get started, those of you who fancy yourselves as too mature for a good old fashion hypothetical discussion, exit thread left. This is intended to be fun, not negative. Here's the scenario - For the 2008 team, every player exists as they did then. That is to say, the QB of that team is 2008 Chad Pennington, not 2011 Chad Pennington. The 2008 team is also coached by 2008 coaches. For the 2011 team, every player exists as they do now. The 2011 team is coached by today's coaches. For the rare players that exist on both teams, you have the younger version on the 2008 team and the older version on the 2011 team. The 2008 head coach is fat Sparano and the 2011 coach is skinny Sparano. The two teams play. Which team wins? The type of discussion I'm looking for is this: If you think the 2008 team would win, why? And do you think they could have the same success this year against this schedule as they did in 2008? If you think the 2011 team wins, why? And do you think this team is capable of having the same success the 2008 team was able to have, i.e. winning the division, playoff trip, etc. I'm going to hold back my opinion for now... Enjoy!
from what we've seen so far, Id say this years team... but we've only seen preseason, kind of hard to judge... but I feel our defense is better right now, and our aggressiveness on offense should allow it to put up more points, though maybe make more mistakes... i think the added points will overcome those potential turnovers since our defense is better...
Interesting hypothetical. I like it. I'm going to say 2011 phins win. Mainly for me, it comes down to defense. Our defense is much stronger now talent wise I believe with all of the young guys we've brought in. Dansby, Davis, Smith, Wake, Odrick, Misi, Langford (I believe he was drafted for the 08 year, but lets face it, the version of him we have now is better than then). Going beyond the players, our scheme, and coaching on defense now in 2011 is much better than in the past. Pasqualoni's defense was pretty terrible at times. Nolan's has been solid, especially combined with the solid core of players on D we have now. We're even a more solid unit on special teams now than then as well. Offensively, I think this new system were going to use under Daboll will present more opportunities to make plays. While I'd still like to have had either Ricky or Ronnie on this team along with Bush and Thomas (with that being said, for the experience factor I'm hoping we keep LJ on the roster with DT and Bush), I think the offense will be more improved over 2008's as well. That being said, the 2008 team made the playoffs, but I don't see this year's team doing so. Not with the Jets and Pats both as strong as they were. Back then we were fortunate enough to have Brady out for the year, and lets face it, that helped alot in us winning the division. In a game though, right now... the 2011 phins beat the 2008 phins IMO.
Id say 2011 because of the defense. Chad Penningtons lack of turnovers helped keep the 2008 team in more games than expected. Unfortunatly I believe this division is tougher now. Imo the offense turnover ratio will be a decideing factor this season. With a passing game it can go real good or real bad real fast.
I'd say 2011 b/c of match-up issues. One of the weaknesses in 2008 was LB coverage on the backs. I think Bush would hurt the '08 team. I also think the '11 D is a little better and could contain Brown and neutralize CP.
Have defenses studied and beaten the Wildcat yet, or does the 2011 team have no idea what the 2008 team is about to unleash on them?
Now that's a great question. And even though I didn't come right out and say it, when I said the 2011 team exists as it does today, that included knowledge of past seasons and trends. That's why I also think the 2011 team wins. Because this defense is not going to be susceptible to the Wildcat like the 2008 opponents of the 2008 team were. The big question mark is Chad Henne. Could he play a mistake free game like the 2008 Chad Pennington could? If he could put together a decent game I don't see the 2011 team losing. I also think the 2008 team would be lucky to hit .500 against this schedule. With good QB play out of Chad Henne and a positive TD/INT ratio I see this team capable of 10 wins, but not winning the division as the 2008 team did. Not with a healthy Tom Brady and a well coached Jets team. I thought this was an interesting discussion, because I was pretty sure most of us would agree the 2011 team would and should beat the 2008 team. But I'm guessing few of us imagine this team winning the division and most agree making the playoffs will be difficult. Funny what the health of one player and a coaching change can do to the rest of a division.
I picked 2008. They didn't turn the ball over, and took the ball away more, both of which really hurt us last season. They were able to win those close games against teams they should've beat. Plus, the 2011 Dolphins haven't proven anything yet. Show me you can win in the regular season and I'll believe it.
I picked 2008. We were capable of running the ball effectively. Chad Pennington was great in the 4th quarter of games. 2011's defense is better, but 2008 just seemed to always make the big play (especially Joey Porter), when needed. That year Joey Porter was a monster. Raf, you mentioned Reggie's ability against our LB's and that's a good point, however, Renaldo and Yeremiah were younger, smarter, & faster. So, I think we could've come up with something to help that matchup. Also, we had David Martin that year and his ability to create down the seam. Will Allen, Jason Allen & Andre Goodman contained Brandon Marshall that year, so no reason to think they couldn't in this hypothetical. Miami LB's, as poor in coverage as they were could handle Fasano. Tony Gonzalez went 7/64 & 1 TD on us, gotta believe we'd be OK there, especially with Henne who doesn't go to Fasano like KC did to Tony. Plus, our ST's in 2008 was considerably better and more known then than it is now. Still had Carpenter & Fields and better coverage.
I agree that Martin was a big part of that team's success just b/c of how he spread the field, but I like our current secondary across the board over the '08 group. And I think we could have neutralized Martin with Smith. I do agree that the could have handled Fasano. I also think that the big play perception was largely fueled by the really poor schedule we played. I don't think that D would make any more big plays than our '11 D given the same level of competition. I think we had better STs coverage, but think Fields is far better now. I think Carpenter is the same.
Interesting. Most would pick this year, as would I, but of doubt anyone would think the current team would win the same amount of games Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk
Great thread; just in theory and based only on what we've seen of our current team in preseason, I'd say the 2011 team would win for one overriding reason: Daboll and Henne would do whatever it took to win, whereas Henning and Pennington would only try to do enough to not lose. Also, this D would ****ing ROLL Pennington and knock him out of the game. Would that we could get that same matchup every week of the season, and we'd go 13-3.
I believe without hesitation that this team by the end of the season will be hands down better than '08 .... not based on record, but solely on talent. IF the OL can get it together -- this team 'can' make the playoffs as well. We have more weapons and speed this year.
Truth is...I like our 2011 team too--just as much as I like our 2008 team. We've got trade off's on both sides. We just need to create turnovers and limit them on offense and we'll be fine, IMO.
I agree that TOs is the key, on both sides of the ball. If we can learn to hold on to just half of the INT opportunities we had last year and our QB can keep our INTs down to the 12 - 14 range then I foresee a pleasant season for us fans. (I'm assuming the fumbles lost and recovered remains approximately constant).
