First of all, you readers must be thinking: Why is a die-hard Oakland Raiders fan interested in talking about the Miami Dolphins? The answer is quite simple, I enjoy analyzing teams other than the Oakland Raiders (it eases the pain).
Aside from the fact that Josh McCown was the "starting" quarterback in Oakland for 2007, I opine on other teams quite often.
So here we go.
Am I the only one who thinks that Miami could actually turn things around in 2008? Dare I say, .500?
In one such example of a team that went from 1-15 to 7-9 in one season was the Carolina Panthers when they finished 2001 at 1-15 on a 15-game losing-streak and thus selected DE Julius Peppers with the second overall pick of the 2002 NFL Draft and went defense the rest of the way, selecting LB Will Witherspoon and DB Dante Wesley.
They did so to the chagrin of sports writers who believed that the Panthers needed a quarterback right then. So the Panthers passed on Joey Harrington and Patrick Ramsey. Hmmm, I wonder who got the better end of that argument.
Well, the Panthers went into 2002 with a new coach, John Fox, and a revamped team that consisted mostly of unwanted and unseasoned players (Kris Jenkins, Steve Smith). Yet, the Panthers finished 2002 at 7-9 after starting 3-0 with quarterback, Rodney Peete.
By mid-season, Rodney Peete was no longer able to fool anyone and the Panthers limped down the stretch. The Panthers then selected OT Jordan Gross in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft, plus d-backs Ricky Manning Jr and Colin Branch; and signed journeyman QB Jake Delhomme in the offseason and castoff RB Stephen Davis.
The Panthers then went into the 2003 season as the underdog. But by riding the legs of Stephen Davis and speedster DeShaun Foster; plus some heroics by Jake Delhomme, the Panthers found themselves in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
They lost, but they were there nonetheless and have been respectable ever since--now when they lose, it's unexpected. And there was only one season between 1-15 and their also-ran season.
Enter the Miami Dolphins.
The Dolphins finished 1-15 in 2008. Then, they lured Bill Parcells to be in charge of personnel. In the 2008 NFL Draft, they bucked the popular opinion of taking a QB or RB by selecting OT Jake Long.
Now obviously, for the Dolphins to turn around in 2008 from 2007, they will need to stay healthy (duh), step-up and strike-down. That means you Ricky Williams, Ted Ginn Jr, Ronnie Brown, and Josh McCown. And of course the defense needs to progress and stay healthy.... and would benefit from the addition of a polished cornerback, say, Lito Sheppard.
Perhaps a trade of Jason Taylor for Lito Sheppard and one of Philadelphia's strong-safeties (Quintin Mikell, Sean Considine) would suffice.
First of all, when Ricky Williams was healthy and not impersonating Afroman, the Dolphins finished 9-7 (2002), 10-6 (2003), and 9-7 (2005), and have looked pathetic with, and without him. The trouble was, no quarterback and lackluster protection from the offensive-line.
They seem to have shored-up the protection from the O-line with Jake Long. I also believe that the RB combo of Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and Jalen Parmele could suffice if used correctly, and new coach Tony Sparano knows how to do that from the Dallas days of coordinating Marion Barber and Julius Jones.
Maybe Ted Ginn Jr will step-up and be the next Steve Smith. The most important question mark however, is Josh McCown. Can he be a Trent Dilfer-esque game manager in Miami, or dare I say, Phil Simms? Or will he try to be the second coming of Brett Favre as he tried in Arizona and Oakland?
If the Dolphins can control the clock by keeping the defense off the field with their running backs, then the game will come down to whether Josh McCown can make the critical plays (not the majority of plays), and not make so many mistakes that his flashes-of-brilliance become meaningless (see, Oakland for most of 2007).
So...calling Josh McCown: You aren't Brett Favre. You aren't Tony Romo. You're better than Rodney Peete. You might be as good as Jake Delhomme. But all you need to be is Trent Dilfer, and the Dolphins will have a chance.
13 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Dallas Wilson about 1 year ago
good read but im sorry its not happening
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Tommy Stedham about 1 year ago
"I enjoy analyzing teams other than the Oakland Raiders (it eases the pain)."
LOL
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Andrew Kneeland about 1 year ago
I agree with Dallas. You make some good points, but that doesn't mean that Miami will contend for with New England in 2008.
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Deof Movestofca about 1 year ago
That's only a factor if he means contending for the division title. If he means only for a playoff spot, that's a whole 'nother ball of wax. But it looks like the OL, especially at one of the G spots (as in "guard", people!) where the current choices appear to be between McKinney (he of the bum knee) or a rook, to even contend for that this year. After a year of experience and gelling together, it might be a different story next season.
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Chris Radez about 1 year ago
If the Dolphins start McCown... I will LOL.
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tony lopez about 1 year ago
john beck will be the starting QB. and a dam good one at that. parcells also shored up the defensive line in free agency and the draft. by shoring up that pourous run defense and by upgrading the talent in both trenches alone makes us a contender. the dolphins lost six games by three points or less last year and another three by six points or less. our main struggles came in the trenches and we lost games because we couldn't stop the run(shyt we let the raiders run for almost 300 yards) and we couldn't protect the quater back. those wont be problems this year. all wee need to be a playoff contender is steady QB play because our defense will be solid and our running game will be spectacular. not to mention our special teams will rank as one of the best this year.
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Pinocchio's Twin about 1 year ago
I think you just reiterated everything I said, lol. Remember, all I said was COULD. Meaning, don't write-off the Dolphins in 2008 simply because they had a horrendous season in 2007.
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Peter Bukowski about 1 year ago
So many "what-if's" here, I am wondering why even bother taking up such an endeavor. You are going to drive Dolphins fans crazy thinking they are going to compete a year after being one of the worst teams in NFL history. Add up all the "what-if's" and you have quite the task. I hope you're right though, Miami is a great city and they haven't had anything to be excited about since Dan Marino retired
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PETER VICIOSO about 1 year ago
LETS JUST PRAY THAT THIS NEW PLAN IS THE RIGHT ONE.
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elizabeth larkin about 1 year ago
Don't write off John Beck...he could be the QB of the future. The Phins will probably have a mediocre season. But they're moving towards a MUCH brighter future. What more can Miami fans ask for? Dan ISN'T coming back...all we can do is move forward. I think Parcells and Co. can handle that task for us. Give us 3 years and 1-15 1ill be completely forgotten!!!!!!!!
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John Fennelly about 1 year ago
I agree with you...never doubt the master - Bill Parcells.
My take on the Dolphins is that they sured up the trenches - a Parcells staple. They will not be easy to beat.
They still have too many issues at the skill positions for anyone to be predicting a winning season in 08.
By 2010, they will be a force.
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Mackenzie Kraemer about 1 year ago
You make some good points, but there's just too many "what-ifs" and question marks that need to be positive for them to have a chance. The OL needs to be a lot better, the QB play needs to be better, the WR position is a black hole on paper, and the defense was a sieve for much of last season. What I disagree with is that McCown has to be Trent Dilfer. Baltimore had a top 3 defense of all-time that year, along with a very good running game with Jamal Lewis. Miami has a bad defense, and still a weak offensive line as of now. McCown needs to be Favre/Romo/Delhomme (on his best day) for them to have a chance to win 7 games.
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Pinocchio's Twin 7 months ago
WHAT IF? Boo ya! HAHAHAHA! The Dolphins are ensured to be at least 8-8, and could easily finish 10-6. I'm the genius, all you alls, are just fools! (Yes, I realize that it is ironic to use poor grammar to insult another's intelligence).
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