Summer optimism rains on Dolphins

[DolFan619]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/sports/epaper/2008/06/30/a1c_stoda_0701.html

Summer optimism rains on Dolphins

By GREG STODA
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Monday, June 30, 2008

It's the first day of July, which means only one thing on the South Florida sports landscape. That's right ... it's Dolphins season.

Never mind how the actual games that matter don't happen until September, because there's simply no discounting how consumed the zealots of Dolphin Nation get right about now as summertime heat and humidity send them into spasms of optimism.

Never mind, either, that Their Boys are coming off a 1-15 season while establishing a franchise record for awful.

Never mind, because it's plenty good enough for the aqua-and-orange faithful to bask in the realization that everything is new again from top (the Bill Parcells-Jeff Ireland-Tony Sparano triumvirate) to bottom (that aforementioned record is wiped away).

It's all but impossible to have a rational conversation with these people.

Miami Fan: "So, what will their record be this season?"

Me: "Can't imagine them winning more than four or five."

Miami Fan: "Are you out of your !@#$%&* mind? Parcells is worth eight all by his Big Tuna lonesome, which gets 'em to .500 without blinking. Then add your four or five wins, and it's playoff time."

Me: "Jason Taylor is their best player, and he might take his defensive end act elsewhere. Ricky Williams, incredibly, might be their best offensive player. And who - unless, of course, Parcells does it - is going to play quarterback?"

Miami Fan: "Taylor can take his dancing shoes anywhere he wants. Who needs him? He couldn't even beat Kristi Yamaguchi on that stupid show he cared about so much. Ricky should be good for 1,000 rushing yards. And that Chad Henne kid is gonna get the job done at quarterback."

Me: "If you say so."

Miami Fan: "I say so."

And then she goes back to work as a physical therapist leading an otherwise normal and hugely productive life.

But that's what anticipation of the opening of Dolphins camp - it's 9 a.m. July 26 and will be open to the panting public - can do to otherwise sensible folks.

The Webbies in charge of this newspaper's Internet operation ought to produce one of those countdown clocks to tick off the days, hours, minutes and seconds until the Dolphins take to the practice fields at the Davie training complex. The editors could superimpose over the clock a picture of the two Super Bowl trophies Miami won light-years ago just as a tease to the wackiest of possibilities. Or they could show it across a picture of The Saban Bubble, which stands as a monument to the stormy weather that has afflicted the Dolphins literally and figuratively.

It's probably not the kindest time to rain, sorry, on any July hopes held by Miami fans, but facts are facts. The largest gain the Dolphins ever have made in number of games won from one season to the next on a 16-game schedule is five. Nick Saban orchestrated the improvement in his first year in 2005 when Miami went 9-7 after compiling a 4-12 mark under Dave Wannstedt and Jim Bates.

OK, coming off a one-win season does allow lots of room for improvement.

But the view from here on the first day of July remains four or five wins next season.

My friend the physical therapist will be calling.