NFL
By: Rick
Outside the organization, many so-called “experts” are predicting a serious decline for the Miami Dolphins. Within the organization, expectations could not be higher. Miami feels like their championship window is wide open and they spent the money this offseason to prove it. Will it pay off in the long run?
With a healthy offense in 2023, the Miami Dolphins were the 1 seed in the AFC. Their offense was virtually unstoppable and as about explosive as it gets. They added skill position players such as Odell Beckham Jr and Jonnu Smith but the key for the Dolphins this year will be the same as last year, the health of their offensive line. Once the injury bug started hitting and defenders started to get through to Tua Tagovailoa, their untouchable nature was null and void. Tua needs to step up his game and prove the naysayers wrong. Not only does he need to beat the “good teams” he needs to put an exclamation point on those wins. Not every game needs to be a shootout but he’ll need to elevate his game and prove his “elite” status and not just be an accurate QB.
The real question mark will be on defense. Despite having a strong showing last year, the Miami Dolphins’ defense didn’t live up to expectations. With newly hired defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver everyone gets a fresh start. Weaver seems to have the same belief in his players that McDaniel shares for his guys but will it show up on the field. So far under Mike McDaniel, both sides of the football players seem to be playing above their skill set or playing as the best version of themselves.
If Weaver can get more out of the back end of his defensive roster, then the Dolphins will be doing just fine. Unfortunately for the team, however, they’re facing an easy schedule according to last year’s win totals, but they’ll still be in a division loaded with talent. The adjustment window will be super short unless the offense comes out and blows teams away. If Miami can get out to a big lead early in games, then a bend-but-don’t-break defense can course correct all year long. The true test is again against “good teams”. The national media won’t let up on that and neither should the Dolphins.
A playoff win drought that has lasted just shy of a quarter century needs to end this season. The pieces are there. The only ones that could beat the Miami Dolphins on gameday is themselves. Yet, paper champs don’t hoist the Lombardi Trophy, they’ll need to go out there and have the best season the franchise has seen.
