Improved Dolphins have reasons for optimism

By Jeff Dickinson  |   Tuesday, September 02, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

Miami Dolphins
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At this time last year, the Miami Dolphins were about to start a journey in futility that culminated in a 1-15 season, the worst in franchise history.

In 2007, the Dolphins were the team everyone loved to mock; they were the club that other NFL squads couldn't wait to face on a weekly basis.

But as Miami heads into its opening game against the New York Jets this Sunday, there's reason to believe the Dolphins are going in the right direction. While they won't contend for anything this year, at least things are getting better for the Dolphins.

Why? Here are some of the reasons:

· The arrival of a real starting quarterback and team leader: When the Dolphins signed Chad Pennington to take the offensive reins, it signaled a change in the team’s dynamic. Last season, the Dolphins didn’t have a legitimate starting quarterback. Was that the only reason the team had such a dismal year? No, but it was a big part of it. Cleo Lemon and John Beck struggled mightily and never earned the respect that a true team leader deserves. Pennington, a longtime Jet whom they jettisoned after acquiring Brett Favre, has changed that in less than a month. He has looked good running the offense while bonding with his new teammates. In three preseason games, Pennington completed 18-for-25 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown (no interceptions). If Pennington can just stay healthy – something he hasn't done much during his career – the Dolphins will be in good hands under center.

· A quarterback of the future in Chad Henne: When the Dolphins used an April second-round pick on the ex-Michigan star, it was assumed that he was going to be groomed for the future. Early in training camp, however, Beck and now-former Dolphin Josh McCown looked so bad that it seemed Henne was the best of the three options. For Henne’s sake, thank goodness for the arrival of Pennington. Now Henne can learn the system, get some playing time on a gradual basis and be ready to take over when Pennington leaves or gets injured. Henne has looked solid thus far, finishing the preseason by completing 16-of-20 passes in a 14-10 win over New Orleans last week.

· A new Ricky Williams: The Dolphins are going to let Williams get the first crack at the starting tailback job this year, which was almost unfathomable before the preseason started. Granted, Ronnie Brown was coming off major knee surgery, but it was still hard to believe that Miami would put its trust in Williams. All he has done, though, is show up for every voluntary practice, work hard in camp, get in the best shape he’s been in since college and impress the coaches with his team-first attitude. Williams -- who recently signed a one-year contract extension -- rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in preseason wins over Jacksonville and Kansas City. Before it’s all said and done, the Dolphins will probably feature both Williams and Brown, but having one of the most effective runners this decade rededicated is a positive step.

Training Camp: An entirely new kind of fantasy game!</i>">Training Camp: An entirely new kind of fantasy game!
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About Jeff Dickinson

I have been writing and editing professionally for 18 years. I spent the first three years of my career as a sportswriter for a daily newspaper in Alabama and got to cover sports and get paid for it! It was great until I got married and then it wasn't too much fun being away from my wife every...
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