Psyched about the Dolphins

[fyo]

I gotta admit, I'm allowing myself to become rather optimistic! There are just so many things that look better this year, things that have turned out better than I thought... and we've avoided injuries so far (even Jake Long is back!).

Player maturity has been excellent, IMHO, with significant improvements all over the field. Chad Henne has stepped up massively as a leader in the huddle (hopefully, performance will follow). Yes, it was a bit of a gift with the lockout allowing him the chance to take control of player-run workouts, but he seized on the opportunity and did it well. And what's with Henne moving around in the pocket and taking off? He was like a statue last year, unable to dodge the slowest, lumbering (defensive) lineman let through by his porous front five. And when he tried to run it was downright cringeworthy.

Sean Smith has, by all accounts, finally grown up and is taking things seriously, putting in a lot more effort on and off the practice field than ever before. That can only help him on Sundays. Vontae and Smith have great potential and it looks like they're ready to take full advantage it.

And then there's a guy like Reggie Bush. Not only does he appear to be a lot better on the field than I had expected, but his attitude and work ethic has been nothing short of stellar. That alone is a huge boost to the team. He's also been extremely loyal and supportive of the players around him -- and humble (well, as humble as a football player ever is).

I'm even getting optimistic about the offensive line, despite starting another Dallas import and a rookie center. I fully expect there to be some rough patches and Colombo isn't exactly a long-term solution, but the line looks significantly improved.

Overall, I can't think of a single area where we're weaker this year. No, I'm not saying we're going to the Super Bowl, or even winning the division, but I'll be damned if this team isn't getting me all psyched up about the Dolphins.

[Pappy13]

Chad Henne has stepped up massively as a leader in the huddle (hopefully, performance will follow). Yes, it was a bit of a gift with the lockout allowing him the chance to take control of player-run workouts, but he seized on the opportunity and did it well. And what's with Henne moving around in the pocket and taking off? He was like a statue last year, unable to dodge the slowest, lumbering (defensive) lineman let through by his porous front five. And when he tried to run it was downright cringeworthy.

I think you have to give some credit to Brian Daboll too. I know everyone made fun of this acquisition, but I think he has really come in and installed a "can do" work ethic. I think it was apparent at the end of last year that Henne, the receivers AND the coaches were not on the same page. Now all 3 seem to agree on what needs to happen. I think Daboll deserves some credit for that.

[Doc-phin]

I would love to get "psyhed" but looking at other teams I feel we are just too far behind.  I think we are primed to get our asses stomped on opening day and not too confident about the next week either.  After that we have a chance to get a few games.

Every preseason game I watch, I look at the other teams starters and get the feeling that we are just not where we need to be.  I am hoping for a little magic right now.  If we can start to connect on a few of these deep throws, it would really change my mindset.  We need the ability to score a few easy ones if we want to win.  Otherwise, I am afraid that even with the more "aggressive" offense we are just going to blow a few downs on deep incompletions and we will be kicking a bunch of field goals again.

Sorry to be a downer, just trying to be realistic.

[MikeO]

Until the QB plays back to back good games (REAL GAMES, NOT PRESEASON)....I am not excited about this group.

Henne in 27 real starts has shown nothing. Until he proves he can play in this league, this team is in that 7-9 range.

[CF DolFan]

Do you know what I like best about this year? I think we got better and we didn't give up anything to do it. We won't win the Super Bowl again so that puts us in the same boat as we have been in for say ... 30 + years but we will be competitive and are heading forward. That may be hard for some to understand, especially the younger ones, but the Patriots were not built in a season and neither will we.

I'm honestly thrilled that for the first time that I can remember that we will not be paying for this season in the future and in fact, will be in a better postion next year because of it.  Now if only we can get our government to do the same!! 

[masterfins]

^^^Gotta agree with you, good post!  A major hole to fill at QB next year, and the rest are just upgrades.  Most of all we haven't given away all of our future picks.

[MikeO]

I'm honestly thrilled that for the first time that I can remember that we will not be paying for this season in the future and in fact, will be in a better postion next year because of it.  Now if only we can get our government to do the same!! 

How are we in better position? We won't suck enough to draft at the top of Rd 1 and get a quality QB that way. And few if any quality QB's hit the free agency market that aren't past their prime. In fact if Henne sucks this year and Orton is decent, we might be paying Orton MORE next year  in free agency than what he wanted last month.

Thats if Denver doesn't give him an extension mid-season OR franchise tag him after the year (only a 1 year deal, no strings attached long term) and hold onto him. Which if he has a good year, they might!

[CF DolFan]

^^^^^ We have a better offensive line. We have a better backfield. Our defense is deeper. Our offensive coaches seem to be better. our spoecial teams seem to be better. In fact, I can't think of anywhere we are weaker than we were last year.  Just because we didn't "reach" for a QB  doesn't mean we aren't a better team.

[sitzee]

How can anyone think that Ireland upgraded this team? Last year the Phins were 21st in rushing and
16th in passing...... We lost one of the best back in the league (Ricky) and replaced him with a rookie that has only been a RB for 2 years in college, and Reggie Bush might be an upgrade over Ronnie Brown but he can't carry the load.... Ireland was counting on who Sheets, Hilliard, Polite, as back up's??? Oops he cut Sheets and replaced him with a guy that hasn't played in a year.... Upgrade at WR, TE?? No, he didn't bring anyone in to compete... The rest of the guys he signed were a bunch of good players in their day but no one was rushing out to sign JT, Burnett, Colombo etc...... It's going to be a long heartbreaking season watching other teams in our division bettering themselves and probably roll right over us.......

[fyo]

We lost one of the best back in the league (Ricky)

You think the Ricky of last season was one of the best backs in the league? Really?

As for replacing him with a rookie... well, running back is hardly the most difficult position to pick up quickly and Sparano has been raving about Thomas' ability to learn quickly.

As for Reggie Bush... we will see what's what once the regular season starts, but I've been extremely impressed with him so far. Much, much better than I thought.

(for a second there, I thought you were MikeO...)

[Cathal]

How can anyone think that Ireland upgraded this team? Last year the Phins were 21st in rushing and
16th in passing...... We lost one of the best back in the league (Ricky) and replaced him with a rookie that has only been a RB for 2 years in college, and Reggie Bush might be an upgrade over Ronnie Brown but he can't carry the load.... Ireland was counting on who Sheets, Hilliard, Polite, as back up's??? Oops he cut Sheets and replaced him with a guy that hasn't played in a year.... Upgrade at WR, TE?? No, he didn't bring anyone in to compete... The rest of the guys he signed were a bunch of good players in their day but no one was rushing out to sign JT, Burnett, Colombo etc...... It's going to be a long heartbreaking season watching other teams in our division bettering themselves and probably roll right over us.......

How can you honestly think this team has not been upgraded since last year?

[Dave Gray]

How can anyone think that Ireland upgraded this team? Last year the Phins were 21st in rushing and
16th in passing...... We lost one of the best back in the league (Ricky) and replaced him with a rookie that has only been a RB for 2 years in college, and Reggie Bush might be an upgrade over Ronnie Brown but he can't carry the load.... Ireland was counting on who Sheets, Hilliard, Polite, as back up's??? Oops he cut Sheets and replaced him with a guy that hasn't played in a year.... Upgrade at WR, TE?? No, he didn't bring anyone in to compete... The rest of the guys he signed were a bunch of good players in their day but no one was rushing out to sign JT, Burnett, Colombo etc...... It's going to be a long heartbreaking season watching other teams in our division bettering themselves and probably roll right over us.......

Welcome to the site, Sitzee.

I don't know how you can call Ricky one of the best backs in the league.  I love the guy, but let's be realistic. 

Also, the rushing game in the NFL is more about finding a guy who works with your system and getting good blocking.  RB matters, but you can plug in and out pretty easily.

[MikeO]

^^^^^ We have a better offensive line. We have a better backfield.

Yet to be seen on both. The o-line especially. Even moreso if Long isn't 100%

[MikeO]

(for a second there, I thought you were MikeO...)

Grow up!

[MikeO]

How can you honestly think this team has not been upgraded since last year?

We added Reggie Bush on offense and Burnett on defense.  Pretty much every other starter is the same minus RT

Unless those 2 are pro bowl players I don't see a "huge" upgrade in talent. Esentially the same starters with couple new rookies which the jury is still out on