The Miami Dolphins

[tonyto3690]

Anyone else giddy over seeing this team flop? Their fans are so convinced overpaying on a backup ILB and a petulant #2 WR. At best they're a .500 team. Overrated QB, issues along the OL, overrated receivers, mediocrity at RB, secondary still can't stick with any quality receiving corps.

Any predictions?

 

[Big-T]

Like Bills fans last season (and again this season actually) and Jets fans the year before that they spend the entire off-season chest thumping and claiming "THIS IS THE YEAR" that they topple the Patriots and it's yet to happen.

So my prediction is the AFCE will still have 3 terrible teams and New England.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

They are the main contender to the AFCE title ....Buffalo and NY are distant 3rd and 4th

I think they will do what many think they will do .... Anywhere from 8-8 to a 10-6 record.

It all depends on the development or lack-of of Tannehill

 

[supafly]

Miami didn't have any other option other than to spend some of that cap money + draft picks to try and get better. Ireland is on the hot seat and they have a newer coach who is trying to right the ship.

They already had a competitive defense last season in some areas, and I don't take any divisional game for granted. I agree that they may be a bit overrated by some, but I also expect them to be more competitive.

It may take a couple of seasons to get things to a 10-6 record, but they should definitely take a step or two closer to that this year. I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up 8-8, maybe even 9-7, but that will probably be their ceiling for the year.

 

[ahmed]

If the QB delivers, they'll be a threat. Some people seem to forget that until a couple years ago, they always gave us fits.

 

[BTTA]

They may not even be able to keep the team in Miami, much less win anything.

 

[supafly]

They may not even be able to keep the team in Miami, much less win anything.

If that would happen, it wouldn't be any time within the next handful of seasons. They were just in heavy contention for SB's 50 and 51, so there aren't too many who think they won't be around for at least the next several years at least.

Owner Stephen Ross assures that the team will stay there as long as he's alive. He just said that he couldn't assure them what would happen too far into the future after he passes away, which is reasonable.

I'd have to choose Buffalo much more than Miami as far as teams who may end up moving, but I don't think anyone needs to worry about the Dolphins leaving for a little while--if it even happens at all.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I really like what they did to their D. Wheeler was great with the Raiders, Grimes is better than Sean Smith IMO if he stays healthy, the Dansby-Ellerbe switch is a wash, and of course, swinging for the fences trading up for Dion Jordan, as well as adding Jamar Taylor as the 3rd CB.

Wake-Starks-Soliai-Jordan

Misi-Ellerbe-Wheeler

CB: Grimes, Marshall, Taylor
FS: Clemons
SS: Jones
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The offense, OTOH, is one steaming pile of "meh". They lose Reggie Bush at RB and replace him with unproven Lamar Miller. They lose Jake Long and replace him with unproven Jonathan Martin.

-Downgrading RB and LT=fail
-Dustin Keller replacing Anthony Fasano=meh.
-Spending a TON of money on a good, not great, WR trio in Wallace, Hartline, Gibson=fail
-Tannehill=meh
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Top 10 Defense, Meh offense (18-24),=8-8 Doofins.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

They are a far more legitimate contender than last year's Bills for my money. The Bills added a bunch of pass rushers to the league's worst run defense and then were surprised when everyone ran all over them.

The Fins improved an already stout defense, and while they still have question marks on offense, they made their questionable offense less questionable. I thought Lamar Miller looked promising last year as well.

Overall, I think .500 at best is hyperbolic. They were 7-9 last year and they should be better. Will they contend for the SB? No. Will they contend for a WC spot? Why not. Its not like there's any competition in the AFC, I mean who is going compete for the WC? The Bengals, Colts and Steelers? There's lot of mediocrity in the conference, so they'd have to REALLY flop to not be in the playoff picture.

 

[DaBruinz]

Anyone else giddy over seeing this team flop? Their fans are so convinced overpaying on a backup ILB and a petulant #2 WR. At best they're a .500 team. Overrated QB, issues along the OL, overrated receivers, mediocrity at RB, secondary still can't stick with any quality receiving corps.

Any predictions?

First, Danelle Ellerbe isn't a "back-up" ILB. Ellerbe was only a back-up with the Ravens because of their depth at ILB. He's starting caliber and showed that in the play-offs. You are fooling yourself if you believe otherwise.

The Dolphins have a pretty good receiving corps. Brian Hartline is an excellent #2 WR. As I have thought about it, Wallace will actually help out Tannehill. Tannehill does have some good escapability and Wallace's sandlot style route running should be a help to Tannehill. Add to that, you have a very good TE in Dustin Keller and they will be a force if Tannehill has enough time.

The Dolphins O-line doesn't have as many questions as you make it out to be. In fact, the only question is whether or not Martin can hold up at LT. They signed Clabo for the RT position. They have Pouncey for their starting Center with John Jerry at one guard position and either Incognito or Louis at the other. Pouncey is damn good and the other 3 are solid.

The idea that the Dolphins don't have anyone in their secondary who can cover is a total fallacy on your part. They signed Richard Marshall and Brent Grimes. I will admit that Grimes is a question mark because no one knows how he's going to be recovering from the Achilles injury. They also added a pretty highly touted guy by the name of Jamar Taylor.

You can count out the Phins if you want, but it's sheer fallacy to do so.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

The idea that the Dolphins don't have anyone in their secondary who can cover is a total fallacy on your part. They signed Richard Marshall and Brent Grimes. I will admit that Grimes is a question mark because no one knows how he's going to be recovering from the Achilles injury. They also added a pretty highly touted guy by the name of Jamar Taylor.

Its also worth noting that they have two of the better safeties in the league in their secondary, one of whom (Reshad Jones) had a really big year last season.

 

[DaBruinz]

They may not even be able to keep the team in Miami, much less win anything.

The team isn't going anywhere. If you are referring to the "stadium upgrades" for which they failed to obtain public money, they could ask the league for the money like Atlanta and others have done.

 

[ausbacker]

First, Danelle Ellerbe isn't a "back-up" ILB. Ellerbe was only a back-up with the Ravens because of their depth at ILB. He's starting caliber and showed that in the play-offs. You are fooling yourself if you believe otherwise.

The Dolphins have a pretty good receiving corps. Brian Hartline is an excellent #2 WR. As I have thought about it, Wallace will actually help out Tannehill. Tannehill does have some good escapability and Wallace's sandlot style route running should be a help to Tannehill. Add to that, you have a very good TE in Dustin Keller and they will be a force if Tannehill has enough time.

The Dolphins O-line doesn't have as many questions as you make it out to be. In fact, the only question is whether or not Martin can hold up at LT. They signed Clabo for the RT position. They have Pouncey for their starting Center with John Jerry at one guard position and either Incognito or Louis at the other. Pouncey is damn good and the other 3 are solid.

The idea that the Dolphins don't have anyone in their secondary who can cover is a total fallacy on your part. They signed Richard Marshall and Brent Grimes. I will admit that Grimes is a question mark because no one knows how he's going to be recovering from the Achilles injury. They also added a pretty highly touted guy by the name of Jamar Taylor.

You can count out the Phins if you want, but it's sheer fallacy to do so.

Slapping the solid tag on Incognitio is doing him a solid service. I would have said he was below average. For mine, the biggest question marks for the Dolphins are their OL and Tannehill. If Tannehill develops and the OL gives him adequate protection, with the toys he has at his disposal in Wallace, Hartline, Gibson, Keller and a reasonably solid D, there's no real reason why they shouldn't improve in 2013.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I'm sorry but I fail to see how adding Ellerbe and Wallace balances out for losing Long, Dansby, and both starting CB and a startng WR. The roster has been churned to no particular advantage as far a I can see.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

I'm sorry but I fail to see how adding Ellerbe and Wallace balances out for losing Long, Dansby, and both starting CB and a startng WR. The roster has been churned to no particular advantage as far a I can see.

Long was really lousy last season. And Ellerbe + Wheeler > Dansby + Burnett at this stage.

 

[ausbacker]

I'm sorry but I fail to see how adding Ellerbe and Wallace balances out for losing Long, Dansby, and both starting CB and a startng WR. The roster has been churned to no particular advantage as far a I can see.

A lot depends on schematic fit and what the Head Coach and GM are trying to build. Sure, the Dolphins lost some quality players but they also brought in and re-signed some good ones. I don't believe they're read to seriously and perennially challenge the Patriots but it's not unreasonable to project improvement.

 

[tonyto3690]

If the QB delivers, they'll be a threat. Some people seem to forget that until a couple years ago, they always gave us fits.

Absolutely no one has forgotten that.

It doesn't change the fact they have OL problems, a mediocre QB, no running game, and no one who can cover tight ends. Besides, giving the Patriots trouble when they're a 4-12 team doesn't change the fact they have to play 14 other games.

First, Danelle Ellerbe isn't a "back-up" ILB. Ellerbe was only a back-up with the Ravens because of their depth at ILB. He's starting caliber and showed that in the play-offs. You are fooling yourself if you believe otherwise.

Ellerbe is a mediocre LB who benefited from playing next to Ray who could tell him what to do, along with Suggs and a massive DL to let him do whatever he wanted and get away with it. He is a solid #2 ILB, but they are expecting a fringe star which is far from what he is.

The Dolphins have a pretty good receiving corps. Brian Hartline is an excellent #2 WR. As I have thought about it, Wallace will actually help out Tannehill. Tannehill does have some good escapability and Wallace's sandlot style route running should be a help to Tannehill. Add to that, you have a very good TE in Dustin Keller and they will be a force if Tannehill has enough time.

Dustin Keller and Brian Hartline are both good #3 options on a good team. Wallace wasn't even the best receiver on the Steelers. Besides his 8 game stretch where he was great, he was either the #2 or #3 best WR, depending on who you ask or when you asked

The Dolphins O-line doesn't have as many questions as you make it out to be. In fact, the only question is whether or not Martin can hold up at LT. They signed Clabo for the RT position. They have Pouncey for their starting Center with John Jerry at one guard position and either Incognito or Louis at the other. Pouncey is damn good and the other 3 are solid.

Having a question mark on your LT is kind of a big deal.
Clabo is mostly name, solid RT.
Both guards are a problem.

And as the Browns showed this past year, it doesn't matter how dominant your tackles and your center are. If both guards suck, you're going to be in trouble.

The idea that the Dolphins don't have anyone in their secondary who can cover is a total fallacy on your part. They signed Richard Marshall and Brent Grimes. I will admit that Grimes is a question mark because no one knows how he's going to be recovering from the Achilles injury. They also added a pretty highly touted guy by the name of Jamar Taylor.

You can count out the Phins if you want, but it's sheer fallacy to do so.

Marshall was with the Dolphins last year and is recovering from back surgery.
Grimes is on his best days, a bit better than average.


The Dolphins are not SB contenders. Their defense has been good for a while now, but their offense is going to be really bad. People think adding big name WRs makes a team better. Remember Brandon Marshall? Way better receiver than Wallace ever has been and they were still awful on offense.

Adding flashy names never results in being a contender. It is just the quickest way to getting in salary cap hell and becoming the Jets/Raiders.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

Miami didn't have any other option other than to spend some of that cap money + draft picks to try and get better.

i'm sorry, i must be confused. i thought that's what every team tries to do.

 

[Nunchucks]

I am really surprised that so many people are down on what the Dolphins did in the off-season. They got younger and added speed to their defense and upgraded their offense. Losing Bush at RB is the only visible downgrade, but this is a passing league. They did not want Long back, he played like crap last season.

Dansby is old and cannot run, Ellerby is a better player, do not forget that he played without Ray Lewis or Suggs for a significant part of the season last year.

As for those of you folks hating on Wallace, Rapistburger was pretty darn bad last year, he had a bunch of real stinker games and it hurt Wallace quite a bit.

Dolphins will go as far as Tannehill will take them, they certainly will give the Patriots all they can handle.

 

[shmessy]

They DO have the best HC not named Belichick in the AFCE. I'm very impressed with Philbin and wouldn't mind if, in the future, he is BB's successor here (sorry, not a McD as HC fan).

They definitely have talent, Tannehill knows the job is his this year and he now has some game experience under his belt.

I'd put them down for 9-7, give or take a game. Just like the Pats (who should still easily win the division) they have 4 mercy-rule games against NYJ and Buff (so, outside of that, I'm calling them a 5-7 team).