You can have the best team on paper in years, be well coached, have cohesion, and have a light schedule...and there are still a 1000 factors you need to have fall your way. The Colts and Saints can't even expect to win the Superbowl, there's just too many things that have to go right. I think we could be competitive, but a lot of things have to go right in training camp. A lot of these lunch pail rooks better bite, or we're in a bit of trouble. I feel rather if-fy about this team defensively. We're in a state of disarray. A new DC, with a new philosophy, a lot of new young players, many playing brand new positions. A lot will have to go right. We need at least 3 of these rookies to come in and play well and start. And we need better consistency out of Dan Henning on offense. And we need to find a return specialist before the season starts. We need to find a FS as well. You never know, but I think we have a bunch of question marks if we're going to be serious with ourselves here. The silver lining, perhaps things come together very well, and we're a force. But from this vantage point, its certainly not a definite.
Last years team came within inches of beating the two SB teams and swept the team in the championship. So if this team has improved itself, then why not? I do think they're improved on offense and have added a lot of competition on defense so one can never know until the games begin. BUT WHY NOT?
If our Defense plays as well as the Broncos did in the first six weeks and Henne plays above average football I think so but I won't be dissapointed if we don't. Look at the playoff run the Jets had last year. Anything is possible.
I think the talents of Ronnie and Ricky must be taken more into account because of how Marshall and Bess can eliminate a crowded box...the combined talents of Ronnie and Rick should even out that tight end deficiency, their so dangerous if healthy and in shape, and like Ireland said, "if we know we got them for another year, were gonna use them", something like that..We can always address the running back issue next year if we dont sign ronnie. Now If we keep the wildcat going with ronnie, and with the improvement from Henne { in love with Henne's upside this year}, I think the offense is good enough to make a run.. With the addition of Marshall, and the space he creates for others, Ronnie and Ricky become those chunk yardage players who dont have to fight those uneven fronts anymore, like they have all their careers..Its really a harmonious collection of skill players, Ronnie, Ricky, Brandon, Brian, Davone, combined with our Oline, it will be nice watchin these guys take the field with Henning's creativity. He's got a lot of the tools, except that tight end who can have that same affect on the perimeter, as the Alpha male has on in between the hashes... You know I wanted 4 new linebackers, so I loved our draft, I think we'll be much improved in the athleticism and toughness dept's, getting rid of three starters {Taylor, Porter, Akin} who lacked the athleticism to play the position the way I wanted, and replacing them with big athletic football players..Iam much more confident in athleticism...we now have real funtional linebackers that can run, chase and tackle, and a Dline that has the talent to attack the LOS, and behind.. I like 10 wins as a goal..Iam not expecting a superbowl this year, its more about building the dynasty for me, and iam gonna be patient because I realize what they started with 3 short years ago.
I truly dont understand the hate for the WC.. We have one of the most gifted players, the best in the league, operating his own running system {and getting 6 yards a pop over a 2 year period}, instead of getting the ball handed to him.. The Denver Bronco's are about to instill a hybrid system..we must stay ahead of the curve with the WC, and continue to put the ball in the hands of Ronnie...He makes things happen with his Vision, feet, and power...His strengths are accentuated out of this formation..
only thing I like about the Jests Jason Taylor we will sweep the jets & bills, then split w/the patriots to win the afce
The way I look at it. QB. Chad Henne needs to improve significantly. If you look at his raw stats they're very pedestrian, so until he actually steps his game up we're not a contender. RB/O-Line - SB quality if healthy. Receivers. We have a lot of good short to medium range pass catchers. Fasano has shown he can be a decent contributor, so I'm happy to give him a second look and if he plays like he did in '08 I don't see a glaring weakness. What I don't like is that we don't have a genuine deep strike threat. Our receiving corps could be part of a SB winning team, but they won't carry us there. D-Line. If Odrick works out and our NT situation is solid with Solaili Fergie and whoever else the troika fits in then it is a SB quality line. LB. Karlos Dansby is the only genuine SB starter quality player we have. We really really need the drafted LBs to be as good as advertised to win a SB. DBs. Corners are solid and look to improve this year. SS is good. However unless we get a decent FS starting there will be a big exploitable hole in the secondary. Depth. We have solid backups at every position, except ILB, OLB, FS and TE. Coaching. I like Sparano's style and he does set a very good overall tone. I really like that he builds players up and coaches discipline and fundamentals. Also as the WC shows he is happy to change his plans to suit the talent he has. The new DC is also a step up as long as he remembers he is subordinate to the troika's thinking. Our coaching is good enough to win a SB. I don't think this is the year, next year with our new LBs having a year's seasoning and Davis and Smith getting more experience and another year to find a FS should put our defence into SB quality category. Also we will need to spend a high round pick on a RB next year with Ricky's retirement.
Yes. Henne can hold his own and some. R&R are two probowl runninbacks when healthy*. I believe our WR corps is talented enough but I would have like to see us get a TE. Our O-Line has the potential to be great, and the same for D-line. We have a chance to control the line of scrimmage for the next 6-8 years. How could you not like this draft. We drafted a ****load of LBs, which WAS our biggest need. I also believe we have a strong enough secondary with enough talent to control the multiple looks from different offences. I still think the Dolphins go and get Sharper as a stop gap. I have faith in this team. We had alot of injuries last year ,so if we stay somewhat healthy I believe we can be serious contenders. For the record, although I think we will improve greatly, I believe 2 years is when it happens.
I agree and I will make this point. I think this team is better than the Jets were last year. They had a rookie QB and no great WRs and made it to the AFCCG. We have a a good second years starter, who is in his third year in the league, (way better than Sanchez was last year), we have one of the top 3-4 WRs in football, and we have upgraded our defensive talent and coaching. I may not predict this team to make it to the SB, but it wouldn't be totally crazy if I did. We need some injury prone players to stay healthy. First, Jake Grove. Berger can play, but he ain't Grove. If Jerry and Incognito can come in and the Oline can gel quickly, we may have the best oline in the division. If Ronnie Brown stays healthy and Cobbs recovers, we will have the best RBs (as a group) in the division. I think, considering NE will start the year without Welker, we have the best group of WRs in the division. QB...I say Henne is second to Brady, obviously. Defensively, we have issues, but I am not sure we have a glaring weakness. We have some unknown factors, to be sure. The S spot is one. I have seen Koa Misi play and I really don't think hes a question mark. But, since hes a rookie, we'll have to let it be proven. I think our Dline will be even better, and it was already a top 5 unit in the league. Sean Smith said himself he needs to pick up his game, so I think we'll probably be okay there. But the Saints didn't have a great defense last year. So..I think our team is better than the Jets last year and our defense is going to better than the Saints' defense from last year...I think we have a legit shot to go to the SB. I think its a real possibility.
TE is a definite weakness, but I don't see RB as a strength. Ronnie is injured way too often to count on him for a stretch run and Ricky, while a good back, is getting older. We need a fast running back. I would love to have had CJ Spiller drop to #12.
I'm a little concerned that we didnt replace Ginn's speed in the draft. Jacoby Ford would have been a nice pickup or even someone like Carlton Mitchell later on in the draft. Do we have a sub 4.5 guy in our receiving corps now? If you really want to clear out the box, pair Marshall with a 4.3 guy or at the least a 4.4 guy. I think next year we have to draft a guy with speed to play opposite Marshall. There's a ton available next year
Come on? Do you think they can win a Superbowl? You are funny, but you got everyone(and me ) to respond. I have been wanting a SB victory since before you were dreaming of being a Dolphins fan.I think of it every single year. Is that good enough for everyone to hit that TY button?
I do not, not at this point anyway. While we may have gotten some solid players in the draft I think we made a mistake in leaving our 2 biggest glaring holes on Defense arguably unaddressed. FS and a pass rushing OLB. After Marshall came to us we all talked about these positions being the highest priority for us and the FO went a diff. direction starting right off in the 1st round. I think were going to have trouble getting to the QB and we probably will still have a hole in the middle of our secondary. NT is still a question mark as well. It could be a long year.
There is a LOT that would have to go right for Miami for them to get to the Super Bowl. Henne needs to have a great season, the OL must jell and stay healthy, the defense under Nolan must be aggressive and create turnovers, and the offense needs Hartline or Fasano to improve and be a good compliment to Marshall. Winning 10-11 games and maybe a win in the wildcard round sounds about right, at the moment.
No, I like Henne, I think he is the key, he has been a stater for less than a season. I believe experience is now the key more than talent. If we can get 10 or 11 wins I think next year we will be in position to make a run. we have to keep in mind only 2 seasons ago we only had 1 win.
Good chance they pickup a veteran RB at some point along the way and maybe a speed receiver. Otherwise they've placed their bets on the current group. Wake-Odrick-Starks-Langford-Misi will likely produce more pressure than last year's group. As far as run stopping we'll see.
