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Like many of the BillsZone members, I have grown very weary of Dolphin fans blindly defending the Dolphins on a Bills message board. If you want to do that, go to finhaven, but if you want to defend the Dolphins here, you have to be objective.
Let's look at the Dolphins without bringing in comparisons to the Bills.
The Bills have nothing to do with how the Dolphins team is constructed.
**Offense: QB-- Fiedler and Feely, as well as Berlin and ol' Sage are not starting caliber NFL QBs I think they are solid backups, but I don't think their guys would start for any other team in the league. Maybe Arizona. Frerotte is the only wild card, might be the best QB on their roster. Has not had a real chance to start in many years, he might now be a wily old veteran.
RB--one of their strengths, and that is without considering Ricky Williams in the lineup. Honestly, nobody knows what they are getting with Ricky. It's just as easy to be optimistic as pessimistic, so why even argue that point until we see him play? Ronnie Brown is promising, so is Lamar Gordon. Sammy Morris can play HB even though he is listed at FB. Their FB situation is not real solid, but big names are not really necessary at FB.
TE--Not bad here either. McMichael and Donald Lee are solid. They have good young depth at this position as well.
WR--Assuming Boston is healthy, they are above average. Chambers is a go to receiver, and is clutch. Wes Welker is speedy, and Thompson and Booker provide good 3rd/4th WR options. Some good young talent here also.
OLINE--At tackle they look good enough, McDougle, Carey and Smith provide the most skill, backups are a little shaky. Guard is about the same story, Geno James is OK, and they brought in a trio of unknowns in free agency. They only have two centers on the roster right now, but Seth McKinney is young, durable and solid.
***Defense
--DLINE--Pretty damn solid. Jason Taylor and David Bowens are beasts. They also have Vonnie Holliday and Kevin Carter who provide nice depth at DE. They are quite old at DT, but Chester is a nice player.
---LBs---Again their starters are a bit long in the tooth, but Thomas is a force and Seau is still solid even though ancient. A bunch of young guys here who are getting better.
---Secondary--at Safety, I see a weak point here. Tebucky Jones is average at best, as is Akins. Lots of youth, but unless someone breaks out, nothing too exciting. CB--Sam Madison is very good, and Reggie Howard is solid. They brought in Mario Edwards who is a nice player also. Some good young depth. CB is a strength for the Dolphins.
***Special Teams
--Kicker--Mare is a nice solid kicker.
--Punter--Matt Turk is a nice solid punter
--KR--Wes Welker is a homerun threat.
***Coaching
--Saban has the pedigree, but a rookie head coach always has some growing pains. He should be a solid NFL coach, but needs to get some experience.
--Richard Smith is DC, and honestly I know nothing about him. I don't know what he will bring to the table. If I were a Dolphin fan I might be a little concerned. Linehan is a good offensive mind, and should improve the Fins offense. Keith Armstrong (special teams), Mel Phillips (DBs) Hudson Houck (oline) and Charlie Baggett (WR, assistant head coach) are valuable, proven staff members. Can't say the same for Jason Garrett at QB coach.
Overall, I see a team that has potential to make some noise this year. I do not think anyone should write them off, but I do not think they are superbowl bound either. They have lots of key elements on the team, but until they address their QB situation and the coaching staff gets some experience, I don't think they are going to be a playoff team.
Let's look at the Dolphins without bringing in comparisons to the Bills.
The Bills have nothing to do with how the Dolphins team is constructed.
**Offense: QB-- Fiedler and Feely, as well as Berlin and ol' Sage are not starting caliber NFL QBs I think they are solid backups, but I don't think their guys would start for any other team in the league. Maybe Arizona. Frerotte is the only wild card, might be the best QB on their roster. Has not had a real chance to start in many years, he might now be a wily old veteran.
RB--one of their strengths, and that is without considering Ricky Williams in the lineup. Honestly, nobody knows what they are getting with Ricky. It's just as easy to be optimistic as pessimistic, so why even argue that point until we see him play? Ronnie Brown is promising, so is Lamar Gordon. Sammy Morris can play HB even though he is listed at FB. Their FB situation is not real solid, but big names are not really necessary at FB.
TE--Not bad here either. McMichael and Donald Lee are solid. They have good young depth at this position as well.
WR--Assuming Boston is healthy, they are above average. Chambers is a go to receiver, and is clutch. Wes Welker is speedy, and Thompson and Booker provide good 3rd/4th WR options. Some good young talent here also.
OLINE--At tackle they look good enough, McDougle, Carey and Smith provide the most skill, backups are a little shaky. Guard is about the same story, Geno James is OK, and they brought in a trio of unknowns in free agency. They only have two centers on the roster right now, but Seth McKinney is young, durable and solid.
***Defense
--DLINE--Pretty damn solid. Jason Taylor and David Bowens are beasts. They also have Vonnie Holliday and Kevin Carter who provide nice depth at DE. They are quite old at DT, but Chester is a nice player.
---LBs---Again their starters are a bit long in the tooth, but Thomas is a force and Seau is still solid even though ancient. A bunch of young guys here who are getting better.
---Secondary--at Safety, I see a weak point here. Tebucky Jones is average at best, as is Akins. Lots of youth, but unless someone breaks out, nothing too exciting. CB--Sam Madison is very good, and Reggie Howard is solid. They brought in Mario Edwards who is a nice player also. Some good young depth. CB is a strength for the Dolphins.
***Special Teams
--Kicker--Mare is a nice solid kicker.
--Punter--Matt Turk is a nice solid punter
--KR--Wes Welker is a homerun threat.
***Coaching
--Saban has the pedigree, but a rookie head coach always has some growing pains. He should be a solid NFL coach, but needs to get some experience.
--Richard Smith is DC, and honestly I know nothing about him. I don't know what he will bring to the table. If I were a Dolphin fan I might be a little concerned. Linehan is a good offensive mind, and should improve the Fins offense. Keith Armstrong (special teams), Mel Phillips (DBs) Hudson Houck (oline) and Charlie Baggett (WR, assistant head coach) are valuable, proven staff members. Can't say the same for Jason Garrett at QB coach.
Overall, I see a team that has potential to make some noise this year. I do not think anyone should write them off, but I do not think they are superbowl bound either. They have lots of key elements on the team, but until they address their QB situation and the coaching staff gets some experience, I don't think they are going to be a playoff team.
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