It's that time of year again in the NFL. With the season looming a mere eight days away, predictions have started to roll out of the analyst community, and the national perspective on the Miami Dolphins has been, well, varied.
For instance, Peter King of SI.com has the Fins finishing 6-10, and obviously missing the playoffs.
Steve Wyche of NFL Network, on the other hand, has been very vocal about Miami's offseason moves, saying that he's 100% on the Dolphin bandwagon.
Pete Prisco, of CBS Sports, sides with King, as he has the Fins finishing a measly 5-11.
James Walker, of ESPN, has Miami finishing 8-8.
Pat Kirwin, also of CBS, has the Dolphins at 7-9.
ESPN the Magazine came out with their season predictions last week, and they have the Fins finishing atop the AFC East at 10-6.
Dave Hyde and Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, two respected Dolphin writers, each have the Fins finishing 9-7.
Dave Dameshek of NFL Network predicted a playoff spot for Miami.
Get my drift? Absolutely nobody knows what to expect from this Dolphin team. Nobody knows how much, if any, Ryan Tannehill is going to progress.
Nobody knows how good, or bad, the offensive line will be.
Nobody knows whether Lamar Miller will be the boom he's being hyped up to be, or the bust he could potentially be.
Nobody knows if Charles Clay/Michael Egnew/Dion Sims can replace Dustin Keller.
Nobody knows if Dion Jordan will be a factor.
Nobody knows if Mike Wallace and Ryan Tannehill will gel.
And this is why I've held off on my predictions so far. I honestly have NO idea what this team will do this season. I can see them going 10-6. I can also see them going 7-9.
If you read the column I wrote last night, then you'll know what I'm going to say next:
If Ryan Tannehill PLAYS WELL, then the Dave Dameshek's and ESPN the Magazines of the world will be RIGHT.
If Tannehill doesn't produce? Well, read the column. It won't be good.
As far as MY predictions go? Check back NEXT week, as I'll be doing my annual game by game predictions for the Miami Dolphins. Last year I had them going 8-8. They finished 7-9. Not bad, huh?
PRESEASON FINALE
Joe Philbin declined to say how much, if any, the starters will play in tomorrow night's preseason finale against the Saints. Personally, I wouldn't even have them dress. With the unusually high number of season ending injuries so far this season, why even risk it?
This team is GOOD, but they aren't DEEP, and if somebody goes down it will be a huge problem for Joe Philbin. Ryan Tannehill has looked great, as has Mike Wallace and the entire first team defense. Rest them, keep them healthy, and get ready for Cleveland.
We'll see.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 tomorrow night from Sun Life Stadium, and there will be NO live blog. Listen, I could do it, but it's the most meaningless game of the year, so lets just say I'll be "working" and leave it at that.
However, check back after the game for a recap. And then, we head into regular season mode here at the Dolphinsider.
Been waiting to type that sentence for seven months now.
11 days.
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