Doing well in the off-season is nice, but it does not necessarily mean success when the games start to count. The Miami Marlins had a productive off-season, and now have one of the worst records in Major League Baseball. LeGarrette Blount returned to New England and Gray’s playing time faded down the stretch. Knocking the defending champions off their pedestal is easier said than done, but it is possible.
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A new year offered Gray a fresh start to move past the incident. The largest discrepancy is at quarterback where the Redskins start the unsteady Kirk Cousins and the Dolphins have potential Pro Bowler Ryan Tannehill. Miami hasn’t visited FedEx Field since 2007, when they lost 16-13 in overtime and finished the season a dismal 1-15. Kelvin Sheppard is more of backup and special teams player in my opinion, but for now he is the starting middle linebacker (what I wouldn’t give to have Zach Thomas in his prime on this team!). Tannehill ended up going 33-41 for 303 yards. Three step passes. Quick reads.
The long, excruciating, wait is finally over for fans of the Miami Dolphins. This made Detroit shift the strength of its defense that way. Moses, a second-year guy out of Virginia, will be tested every play, as Wake is one of the best pass-rushers in the league.
The Miami tight ends have been almost non-existent thus far this year (well, through the Preseason). The Dolphins cut both incumbent kicker Caleb Sturgis and punter Brandon Fields.
There may be other things to watch that are more obvious than the two rookie kickers Miami will be using this year, but none may be as critical as punter Matt Darr and placekicker Andrew Franks.
The DT signed with the Dolphins this offseason with one goal in mind: coming after the NFL’s golden boy. After being fired by the Jets as coach after six years, he found a home in Western New York. Teams have traded wins over past seven games in series, beginning with Miami victory in 1987.
Rex Ryan brought his bluster to Buffalo. On paper Miami is considered to be the better club here, but Ryan’s teams are known for fighting hard. In these three games, Miami will travel to New England, Buffalo and Philadelphia.
The Patriots will win the division again, but it will be very intriguing to see if anybody gets a wildcard into the playoffs.
This week’s game will also feature the debut of the Dolphins’ brand new defense.
OK…so… prediction for this season? Overall, the special teams should be solid, but not great. Remember, Louis Delmas is done for the season with an injury from preseason.
Tannehill’s numbers could be even bigger in 2015; just ask Quinn, who saw improvement in the Dolphins quarterback during the preseason. The Dolphins haven’t been to the postseason since 2008 and haven’t won a playoff game since 2000.
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Two members of what has turned into a very good 2012 quarterback draft class will face off Sunday when the Dolphins open the season against the Washington Redskins.
