Miami Dolphins: 9 Bold Predictions for the Upcoming 2011 NFL Season
The Miami Dolphins had a very disappointing season last year, finishing with a 7-9 record and missing the playoffs for the second season in a row.
This year, they hope to get off to a better start and have much better results with an improved team.
With a head coach controversy that was going on a few months ago and the lockout still in effect, nobody knows what the 2011 NFL season has in store. That doesn't stop us from making predictions.
Here are nine bold predictions for your 2011 Miami Dolphins season.
Daniel Thomas Will Win the NFL Rookie of the Year Award
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Why Is It Bold?
Daniel Thomas was the fourth running back taken in the draft. He was drafted in the second round with the 62nd overall pick. If he were to win it, he'd be the highest selected pick to do so since year 2000, when Denver Broncos running back Mike Anderson won it. The rookie of the year award winner has been drafted in the first round every year since 2004.
Why It Will Happen
Running backs Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown are free agents. There is a possibility neither one of them re-signs with the team. That makes Daniel Thomas the starting running back, in a run-first offense, behind one of the top offensive lines in football. He is going to get quite a few touches. Thomas is a physical back who can also catch the ball out of the backfield.
At Kansas State he rushed for 2,850 yards in just 24 starts, scoring 30 touchdowns.
Davone Bess Will Have 1,000 Receiving Yards and 8 Touchdowns
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Why Is It Bold?
Bess has been in the league for three seasons and hasn't even had a season where he finished with at least 900 yards. The eight touchdowns he will have this season is the same total he has for his career combined.
Why It Will Happen
One reason is new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. You can argue he didn't do much for Cleveland, but that offense was filled with players who couldn't start on some college teams. Dan Henning was horrible, and a change in the play calling alone should help Bess progress.
The main reason Bess will have a great season is the return of Brandon Marshall. The Dolphins' new wideouts had the worst season of his career last year, but you can't expect those numbers again. He will get back on track and demand most of the attention, freeing up Bess to rack up those statistics.
Bess had the best year of his three-year career last season with 820 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Expect even better numbers this season.
Vontae Davis Will Have at Least 6 Interceptions
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Why Is It Bold?
Davis has played two seasons, accruing five total interceptions. Last year he started 15 games and only had one interception.
Why It Will Happen
Easy, Vontae Davis can flat out play the cornerback position. Randy Moss told him last year that he is a solid player with a bright future. After he held him to one catch for 26 yards. Brett Favre said he thinks he is one of the best corners in the league that nobody knows about. After he picked him off with a circus catch.
You have to figure the interceptions will come. Besides, he has 23 passes defended: Catch a couple of those instead of deflecting them, and he'll have six interceptions in no time.
The Miami Dolphins Will Defeat the Houston Texans in Week 2
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Why Is It Bold?
The Miami Dolphins are 0-5 against the Houston Texans. They are the only active team the Miami Dolphins have not defeated at least once. The Texans have a better team than the Dolphins do on paper and always seem to have Miami's number late in games. The Dolphins have lost all five games by a combined 14 points, including a two-point win and two one-point victories.
Why It Will Happen
The Texans pass defense was ranked last out of 32 teams last year. They gave up over 250 passing yards a game. Even Chad Henne with midgets blocking for him could capitalize on that secondary. Also, just how many times can we actually lose the close games to this team? The widest margin of victory in the five games has been seven points. A play here, a play there, and Miami wins a couple of those games.
Why not this year?
Chad Will Silence the Critics and Throws for More Touchdowns Than Picks
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Why Is It Bold?
Every Dolphin fan in the country has been calling for Henne's head since 2009. There is almost no fan left in Miami that thinks Henne can be decent backup let alone a starting quarterback for a team with playoff expectations. Also, in Henne's two years as a starter he has failed to throw more touchdowns than interceptions. His 19 completions to the other team was tied for the fourth most in the NFL last season.
Why It Will Happen
Henne has a few things working for him heading into the season. One is an improved offensive line and a much better rushing attack. Another thing is this will be his second season with Brandon Marshall. They now have had time to get on the same page and develop some form of chemistry.
Okay, maybe I'm reaching, but let's not act like Henne doesn't have potential and hasn't shown flashes of solid play. In 2009 Henne threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns to lead Miami to a comeback victory over the Patriots. He finished that year with a 60 percent completion rate and an average of 221 passing yards a game. Those numbers are without a star wide receiver and his first complete season in the NFL. He's only played two seasons.
Give him the benefit of the doubt. If he doesn't get it done this season, there is no hope for Henne.
Cameron Wake Will One Up Last Season and Finish with at Least 15 Sacks
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Why Is It Bold?
Wake has only been in the league for two seasons, and 15 sacks is not easy even for an NFL veteran. He made a name for himself last year with 14 sacks, now teams will be paying more attention to him. The list of players who dominate the CFL and the NFL can probably be counted on one hand.
Why It Will Happen
Cameron Wake isn't a one-year wonder, this guy was born a beast and has been destroying quarterbacks since he stepped on the football field. In 2007 Wake played for the BC Lions in the CFL. He racked up 16 sacks and became the first player in CFL history to win rookie of the year honors and defensive player of the year in the same season. In his next season, he sacked the quarterback a ridiculous 23 times.
Fifteen sacks may be a lot for one player, but I wouldn't bet against this guy.
Rookie Edmond Gates Will Return 2 Kickoffs for Touchdowns
7 of 9Why Is It Bold?
According to his stat sheet, Gates only returned 20 kickoffs his entire collegiate career, and none of them were for touchdowns. He also never returned a punt. Returning kickoffs for touchdowns is a hard thing to do and has only happened 10 times in the history of the Dolphins franchise.
Why It Will Happen
Despite the fact he doesn't have much experience returning kicks, speed kills. You can see in the video I have provided in this slide that the kid has eye-popping quickness and speed that would give Chris Johnson a run for his money. Gates ran the 40 in 4.3 seconds, and watching his film, you can see he tip toes the sidelines extremely well.
Give him full-time kick return duties, and I guarantee the Dolphins will score at least two touchdowns this season without the offense having to come onto the field.
Jared Odrick Will Start and Finish the Year with 8 Sacks
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Why Is It Bold?
Odrick was drafted in 2010 but missed 15 games last season after breaking his foot in practice. He has only one career tackle to his name in a 15-10 win over Buffalo in Week 1.
Why it will happen
Odrick started 31 games at Penn State, recording 104 tackles, 14.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for a loss. He is a mammoth for a human being at 6'5" and 304 pounds and told the South Florida Sun Sentinel back on March 7 that he is foot was fine enough to run on. This May 22 report from the Sun Sentinel's Omar Kelly noted that Odrick was healthy, so if that's still the case in the fall, he will more than likely start across from Kendall Langford and play his first season in the NFL.
With all of the pieces on the defensive line and Cameron Wake drawing so much attention, Odrick should be able to get free and pick up eight sacks by the time the season is over.
The Miami Dolphins Will Win One of the Wild Card Spots in the AFC
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Why Is It Bold?
Because we're in the middle of a lockout and players can't even have an organized practice together. Once the season does start, who knows how the season will play out due to the lack of time spent together. Rookies haven't received playbooks, can't talk to coaches, the list goes on and on. The Dolphins are also in the AFC East with the New England Patriots and the New York Jets.
Why It Will Happen
The offensive line is shaping up to be a lot better than last years with the addition of Mike Pouncey. Which means the running game will be a lot better than last years. Which means less pressure on Chad Henne to make so many plays for the offense to succeed.
Defensively they have the players and the defensive coordinator to be at least a top-five defense in the league. The Dolphins are deep at the cornerback position and on the defensive line. The linebacker core is solid and will be even better if Koa Misi can improve on a subpar rookie season. The defense was great last season and kept Miami in games they shouldn't have been in and should be even better with another season under defensive guru Mike Nolan.
Besides the two division opponents in the Jets and Patriots, the Dolphins play seven other playoff-caliber teams. Not an easy schedule this year, but the Dolphins will finish 10-6 and squeeze into the playoff race on Week 16 over the New York Jets like it was 2008 all over again.
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