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Dolphins to take the AFC East this year?


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Door is open

 

 

Saban has Dolphins in position for big breakthrough in 2006

By Mike Holbrook (mholbrook@pfwmedia.com)

 

April 4, 2006

 

News that the Dolphins were close to signing Joey Harrington to hold the fort at the all-important QB position until Daunte Culpepper is healthy enough to play is yet another sign that Nick Saban’s crew means business in 2006.

 

Coming off a six-game winning streak to close out the ’05 season, and having added a couple of key additions via trade or free agency this offseason, Miami has become a trendy pick to win the AFC East.

 

Yes, the team lost both coordinators, and a bunch of veterans were released to get under the salary cap. But it’s easy to see why the Dolphins’ stock is on the rise.

 

Of course, it all starts with Saban, the head coach who is proving with each passing day that his hiring by the Dolphins was a masterstroke.

 

First and foremost, Saban has instilled a confidence in the organization that permeates from the top on down that the system he has installed and the way things are being done have proven to be highly successful.

 

Second, the system he runs is extremely player-friendly. His schemes put players in position to make plays — something that sounds so simple but isn’t accomplished as often as it should be in today’s NFL.

 

And the players appreciate the fact that Saban is working in their best interests. When offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Richard Smith left this offseason for new jobs, Saban didn’t hesitate to emphasize that the Dolphins’ offensive and defensive schemes, along with the terminology, would basically stay the same.

 

His hires to fill the vacated coordinator jobs — ex-Bills head coach Mike Mularkey and ex-Texans head coach Dom Capers — would have to adjust to the players, not the other way around. That simple decision — to ask two accomplished coaches with head-coaching experience to learn a new system — breeds more goodwill and trust in the head coach. It also lays the foundation for stability and continuity, two difficult things to establish in the free-agency era.

 

Everyone in South Florida (ownership, coaches, players, fans) seems to be on board with Saban’s plan, and every move he has made has been about one thing: winning. When Saban was hired in late December 2004, the comparisons were played up ad nauseum about his relationship to Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Now we’re learning why.

 

Saban is a tireless worker whose mantra is that he’s always looking for ways to make the team better. Every move he makes, every word he utters, every player he signs, every trade he considers is all for the goal of building a championship team. Is there anything more a team could ask of its coach?

 

The Dolphins improved from 4-12 the year before Saban arrived to 9-7 in his first year. It’s totally understandable to believe that Miami can keep that momentum going and take the next step forward later this year.

 

The Patriots, who have finished atop the division three straight years, are still the team to beat in the AFC East for two big reasons: They have the best coach (Belichick) and the best quarterback (Tom Brady). But the gap between the Patriots and the Dolphins is closing fast.

 

Just look at the two games between the teams last season — New England had to play its best and survive an incomplete pass into the endzone on the final play of the game to escape from Miami with a 23-16 win in Week 10. Had that game gone the other way, we might’ve been talking about the AFC East division-winning Dolphins last season. Then, in Week 17, the Dolphins played a Patriots team that rested several players but still put up 28 points on the board and won 28-26.

 

This offseason has not been kind to the Patriots, who seem to be transitioning their roster, letting veteran players like Willie McGinest, Adam Vinatieri and David Givens go and making room for younger alternatives. The Pats also must find offensive help for Brady, with a dearth of wide receivers and question marks at running back.

 

The long-term keys for the Patriots are their ability to re-sign All-Pro DL Richard Seymour and No. 1 WR Deion Branch. Heading into the final season of their contracts, both players expect to be paid handsomely for their prominent roles on the team. If they don’t get locked up before hitting free agency and depart, that will swing the balance in the division even more toward South Florida.

 

The Jets are in full rebuilding mode and have huge question marks up and down the coaching staff and roster. With a first-time head coach and coordinators and several first-year coaches, added together with a number of young players in a new scheme, the Jets appear to be no threat for at least the next couple of seasons.

 

Also adjusting to a new coaching staff are the Bills, who are employing their third coaching staff in four years. With big question marks at quarterback, the left side of the offensive line and defensive tackle, the Bills appear to be no threat for the near future, either.

 

Miami, meanwhile, has upgraded at left tackle with big, athletic L.J. Shelton. They also have acquired three solid defensive backs — CBs Will Allen and André Goodman and FS-CB Renaldo Hill — to get younger and more athletic in the secondary.

 

Add in the fact that WR Chris Chambers finally has realized his vast potential, TE Randy McMichael is an exceptional talent and the defensive front seven is filled with experience and quality, including DE Jason Taylor and MLB Zach Thomas, who have hungered for this opportunity and are still playing at an extremely high level.

 

The key, of course, is how quickly Culpepper can return from the three torn knee ligaments that he suffered last October. Then, once he returns, will he be able to get back to the brilliant level of play he was at in the same offense in Minnesota in ’04?

 

That makes the signing of Harrington, a bust in Detroit but a guy with a ton of talent who, with a change of scenery and a boost in confidence, could be a pleasant surprise. At the least, Harrington has invaluable NFL starting experience and can manage the game for Mularkey and Saban.

 

Playing the Bills and Jets twice apiece should help boost the Dolphins’ record. If they can split with the Patriots, they would have a solid chance at 11-plus wins, with games vs. Tennessee and Houston and four games vs. the inferior NFC North plus four games against AFC foes.

 

If Miami can win its division, it has a shot at getting home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. And if it gets home-field advantage, it could go on to make an unprecedented home appearance in the Super Bowl, with Super Bowl XLI being held at Dolphins Stadium next February.

 

If the pieces continue to fall into place for the Dolphins, the ’06 season could be a historic one for this proud franchise.

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It wouldn't surprise me too much. I'm guessing that the Patriots will still be my pick, but, the Dolphins definitely have some talent and what appears to be a solid coaching staff. You can't overlook how they finished last season.

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Lets go back to the end of the 04 season. The Bills finished the hottest team, barely missing the playoffs. They dominated the second half of the season. They were poised to go to the superbowl last year. Then, all of a sudden, the 05 season started, and look wheere they got. The same place the Dolphins will go. No where.

 

Now, that said, the fish DO have (on paper) the best team in the division. I wont say anyone will win the division until the season starts. Too much can happen between now and then.

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Anything is possible, I mean Miami finished one game back last year.

 

It helped being the last place team in 2004, because the 2 differences in the Pats and Phins schedules were the Pats were playing the Steelers and Colts while the Phins were playing the Browns and Titans.

 

This year isn't as easy as the Phins get the Steelers and Chiefs while the Pats get the Broncos and Bengals.

 

For the numbers Culpepper has put up, he's only led the Vikings to 2 winning seasons. So for a team that has had so many December implosions, he's hasn't been the big game QB that has proven he can take them over that hump.

 

Two funny things I took from that article is the thought that Harrington might be the missing ingredient or something, and this line.......

 

"Then, in Week 17, the Dolphins played a Patriots team that rested several players but still put up 28 points on the board and won 28-26."

 

It's like saying the Pats resting players was an obstacle the Dolphins had to overcome. Like they put up 28 points in spite of the Pats resting several players. Huh? It should say the Dolphins won 28-26, although the Pats were resting several players.

Edited by charty
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You couldn't ask for a better coach. As SB just said, Ronnie Brown has a year under his belt. They've always had a great defense. The missing piece has always been the QB position. I think it's a great move bringing in Culpepper. Not sure what the Viking's were thinking, but that's a whole 'nother story. I think the Fins have a great chance of winning their division. JMO.

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Upon reviewing the schedule... not bad....

 

We have a week 8 bye. Typically because of those darn Marlins, we have a bye week 2-5.... Nice bye.

 

We have two cold weather games....

At the Bears Nov 5th (could be worse)

 

At the Bills December 17th... ouch...

 

:D

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You can't overlook how they finished last season.

 

1404426[/snapback]

 

 

 

Thats key right there. They finished strong, and appear to be more improved this year. I can see them taking the division.

 

Lets go back to the end of the 04 season. The Bills finished the hottest team, barely missing the playoffs. They dominated the second half of the season. They were poised to go to the superbowl last year. Then, all of a sudden, the 05 season started, and look wheere they got. The same place the Dolphins will go. No where.

 

1405261[/snapback]

 

 

 

Its all in the coaching. I don't think Saban will let the Dolphins become a Bills 05 repeat.

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I am very excited about this season, can't wait for it to get started. I could easily see them going 11-5 or 10-6 and having a shot at the division but most likely being a wild card. I don't think the SB is in the cards for them this year but Saban definitely has them heading in the right direction.

 

I don't think Harrington would be any kind of savior but would definitely not be a bad option for 3 or 4 games. However long Culpepper needs to get healthy.

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Lets go back to the end of the 04 season. The Bills finished the hottest team, barely missing the playoffs. They dominated the second half of the season. They were poised to go to the superbowl last year. Then, all of a sudden, the 05 season started, and look wheere they got. The same place the Dolphins will go. No where.

 

Now, that said, the fish DO have (on paper) the best team in the division. I wont say anyone will win the division until the season starts. Too much can happen between now and then.

 

1405261[/snapback]

 

 

 

Could have had something to do with Buffalo not having a consistent serviceable QB...and the fact that McGahee wasn't exactly splitting D's. Losing Spikes played into the equation too, but to say one team ain't gonna do so hot because of what another one did seems kind of ... :D oh ... let's see ... homerish.

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Could have had something to do with Buffalo not having a consistent serviceable QB...and the fact that McGahee wasn't exactly splitting D's.  Losing Spikes played into the equation too, but to say one team ain't gonna do so hot because of what another one did seems kind of ... :D oh ... let's see ... homerish.

 

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Im not saying it IS gonna happen, Im saying you never know. I hate the fish, yeah, but I wouldnt ever bet on any team winning the division this early in the year.

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Im not saying it IS gonna happen, Im saying you never know. I hate the fish, yeah, but I wouldnt ever bet on any team winning the division this early in the year.

 

1407329[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

Heh...Ok so maybe I was saying the fish WONT do anything. Until they show me they CAN do something, Ill never say they can do anything. :D

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I'm hating the fact that Miami seems to be the sexy pick this year.

 

As a Dolphin fan the Patriots are still the team to beat. I think the offense and offensive line are in good shape. I'm a little worried about the Defense, especially the secondary. Saban's specialty is the secondary and he will have to work miracles this year.

 

In Saban we trust.

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Lets go back to the end of the 04 season. The Bills finished the hottest team, barely missing the playoffs. They dominated the second half of the season. They were poised to go to the superbowl last year. Then, all of a sudden, the 05 season started, and look wheere they got. The same place the Dolphins will go. No where.

 

Now, that said, the fish DO have (on paper) the best team in the division. I wont say anyone will win the division until the season starts. Too much can happen between now and then.

 

1405261[/snapback]

 

 

 

The only problem with your statment is Buffalo downgraded at the most important position, QB , Where as Miami upgraded at that position.

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The only problem with your statment is Buffalo downgraded at the most important position, QB , Where as Miami upgraded at that position.

 

1408069[/snapback]

 

 

 

And that their coach was of the 'assistant' quality.

 

That's why we have him as an assistant now.

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