NFL Preview: Miami Dolphins

Gotta love the Dolphins now Big Bill Parcells has control over the team. Sparano is a quality coach – really good. His comfort with Parcells’ position above him is laudable, in much the same way Mangini suffers Holmgren’s presence in Cleveland. You do get the impression, though, that the Dolphins’ almost unique arrangement is somewhat more harmonious.


It shows on the team, too. The Dolphins have come from being the woeful side that went 1-15 in 2007, to 11-5 in ’08 and then losing three in a row to finish a disappointing 7-9 last year. With that late-season collapse excluded from memory, this is a young team with a real shot of making a move this year. Unfortunately, the emergence of Chad Henne at starting QB, and the signing of Brandon Marshall to catch everything thrown his way, have come in a year that figures to be dominated by the resurgent Patriots and the hard-hitting, trash-talking Jets. Next year the Dolphins should dive into the elite.

This year I reckon they will finish 9-7 and miss the playoffs, but Marshall should compile his fourth consecutive 100 catch season and make it to the Pro Bowl.


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