I've watched and covered this team for many years now. I know more than anyone that the pain the Miami Dolphins have instilled upon their loyal fan base over the past decade has been fierce, and frequent.
Trust me, I'm right there with you, Dolfans. I'm on the same ride you're on.
I know you're sick of the mediocrity. I've been burned just like you. Over, and over, and over again.
And I know you feel disrespected. I live in New England nine months out of the year. It's, quite literally, like being a fish out of water.
But I still have a question I've been meaning to ask for a while now. A question I need to ask myself as well, especially this time of the year:
Why do you listen to the national media? Why do we read what they write, and listen to what they say, and act like it's gospel?
Earlier this summer, NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk ranked Miami 31st in their preseason power rankings. 31st! That's SECOND TO LAST. The team that came within 3 quarters of the playoffs a year ago was now, nine months later, the second to last worst team in the league, according to NBC Sports.
Wait, what?
It doesn't stop there.
ESPN has Miami in the bottom third of the league. So does NFL.com, CBS Sports, and Fox Sports.
In fact, the only publication that seems to be buying what Joe Philbin and Dennis Hickey are selling is Sports Illustrated, who have the Dolphins finishing 10-6 and in the playoffs.
I understand the confusion, I really do. And I understand the anger. Believe me, it makes my head want to explode.
But what I don't understand is why?
"Because, Zach, this team was on pace to win 10 games last year, and they only got better!"
I know that! I watched every practice, every game, every snap this summer.
I saw the new offense, and the new Ryan Tannehill. I saw the improved offensive line. I saw the difference Knowshon Moreno can and will make. I spoke to, and listened to a changed Joe Philbin.
But they didn't.
Locally, this is a new team.
Nationally, they're still the 2013 version.
The last time anybody on a national scale saw the Miami Dolphins they were in the midst of completing an unthinkable two game collapse.
The offense was bland. There was no running game. And the bullying scandal was still a daily discussion.
"But Zach, that was nine months ago! We have a new offensive coordinator, new offensive line, new running back, and a vastly improved third year quarterback!"
I know!
But nobody else does.
The national media, rightfully so, is down on the Miami Dolphins. In their eyes they still see Ryan Tannehill taking 58 sacks, and Richie Incognito hurling a plate of food at Jonathan Martin in the cafeteria (no, that's not really what happened but still kinda what I picture in my head).
That's it. That's what anybody and everybody outside of South Florida sees and remembers of these Miami Dolphins.
And that's perfectly fine, folks. Relish it. Embrace it. Remember it.
Because the beautiful thing is, it just doesn't matter.
The 2014 season begins anew on Sunday. The road to redemption for this team, and it's fan base, begins on Sunday.
One win against the New England Patriots, the national darling this season, and it's all ham and eggs come next week.
Don't be angry at where Miami stands today. Respect is never given, especially to a franchise that hasn't played in January in six years. It's earned. Plain and simple.
Tom Brady and the Patriots will be in Miami Sunday afternoon, for game one of 16.
For the Miami Dolphins, it's time to start earning.
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