Insane Dolphins Optimism (from Peter King)

[fyo]

PK has the Dolphins ranked 6th. In the league. Seriously.

I think we've made some good moves, gotten stronger overall. I still think it's 50/50 if we make the playoffs. At this very early stage, I wouldn't want to pencil us in for more than about 9 wins.

6th in the league is just nuts.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/05/16/ranking/index.html

[tubba marxxx]

he also said Miami was beating Carolina in Super Bowl 41.....miami went 6 - 10, carolina went 8 - 8....both teams missed the playoffs........i cancelled my subscription to SI shortly after that season and never looked back

[Defense54]

I like Optimism for a change..........

[Dave Gray]

Are we even 6th in the AFC East?

[Spider-Dan]

When you are in 6th place out of 4 teams, what does that mean, exactly?

[Sunstroke]

^^^ I'm guessing it means that your sarcasm recognition software doesn't work at 3:00 AM.

[CF DolFan]

Well the good thing is he admits it.

So before I go out this morning, let me embarrass myself by ranking the NFL one through 32. That's not being overly modest -- just realistic. I stink at this. In fact, my recommendation if you really want to find out what's going to happen in the NFL this year is to take a bye on this column. Last year, I really distinguished myself. Picked the Bears to make the Super Bowl. Picked the Saints 24th in the league, which was a point of some contention all season, right up to the moment 30 minutes after the Saints won the Super Bowl and Sean Payton walked up to his podium to meet the press after the game, saw me, and said: "Not bad for number 24.''

Has he taken over Dr. Z's job?

[Doc-phin]

6th is pushing pretty hard, but it isn't crazy.

To make this become true this is what would have to happen...

-Henne can't take a step back and Marshal would need to meet expectation.  (likely)
-Our O-line takes a step forward in run blocking.  (likely)
-Ronnie Brown makes it through the season. (?)
-Starks would have to be adequate as a nose tackle. (easily possible)
-Dansby plays up to his contract. (likely if healthy)
-Davis and Smith would have to take a significant step up in consistency.  (easily possible)
-Wake will have to remain a pass rush threat without being a major liability in other assignments.  (?)
-Misi (or someone else) will have to step up and play solid at OLB.  (?)
-Special teams play doesn't take a step back. (likely)

Our only true question marks:  (other than staying healthy, which is a given concern)

Free safety - but this can be schemed around.
OLBs - between Wake, Anderson and the rookies someone must step to the plate.
Can our corners progress as needed.
Finally, we can't start slow, particularly on offense.  (our schedule is front loaded)

BTW- Icing on the cake would be a good return man!

[jtex316]

He really picked the Bears to win the super bowl last year? The Bears? Seriously? The same Bears that have totally sucked for the last 2 seasons and gave up a ba-zillion TDs in 2009?

Seriously - how does Peter King have a job when his "predictions" are not even close? I can see if someone predicted Indianapolis or Minnesota (w/ Favre). But the Bears? Why, because they acquired shitty-ass fat-ass Jay "interception" Cutler?

He predicts the Dolphins are the 6th best team in the league. Does it mean that the Dolphins will actually be #26th in the league?

[Tepop84]

BTW- Icing on the cake would be a good return man!

So sad that we had a good return man and because parcells is a thick headed idiot, he traded him for nothing.

[bsfins]

Salguero had us 10th in his blog....I saw it,and though ehhh..

Well the good thing is he admits it.

Has he taken over Dr. Z's job?

Z suffered 2,or 3 strokes a year or so ago, So Kings kind of doing his job too,he did a mock draft too....

[Sunstroke]

So sad that we had a good return man and because parcells is a thick headed idiot, he traded him for nothing.

Angst-filtered translation:  We had a decent return guy who sucked balls as a receiver, and because Parcells didn't think he was worth a roster slot, he traded him for a 5th round pick.

[fyo]

Seriously - how does Peter King have a job when his "predictions" are not even close?

His job isn't doing "predictions". Or even analysis, although he does watch enough game tape that he does a reasonable job at that sometimes. Where PK excels is in covering not the game itself, but the *people*. He has some of the best contacts around the league and can provide rare insight into players, coaches, owners and why things happen (and what might happen). He also does some solid "human interest" stories, although that's not my cup of tea.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Unlikely, but not the most shocking thing ever.

Henne showed a lot of promise last year, and now that he has a legit number 1 to go with some pretty good complimentary guys like Bess and Hartline, it can be one of the better offenses in the league. We do have a very good running game as well. Really, is a top 10 offense out of the question?

Defense is where we are hit or miss, especially our secondary. Still, we got some young guys and they can mature. What if Mark Sanchez doesn't progress? He didn't have a good season last year, despite his team's fortune. Brady and the Pats are old, maybe they finally slow down.

I am very optimistic for this year, although more along a 10-6 record.