Dolphins fans can officially look forward to 2009

By Hugo Guzman  |   Monday, February 02, 2009  |  Comments( 1 )

Miami Dolphins
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January is always an interesting month in the NFL. Mainstream Web sites, blogs and fan forums are typically abuzz with free agency conjecture, draft pipe dreams and the occasional far-fetched Super Bowl parallel piece.

Well, now it’s February, so it’s time to get down to business again.

With the Super Bowl in our collective rear-view mirror and only the speed bump known as the Pro Bowl between us and the offseason, it’s time to lay out a plan of attack for the rest of 2009. Mind you, this is an important point to make, because unlike the casual NFL fan, February through July bring all sorts of joy and excitement to the die-hard pigskin loyalist. Still, it’s important to keep things organized and systematic.

For example, a Miami fan should avoid getting all worked up about whom the Dolphins will select in April’s draft -- at least for now. Don’t get anxious about a prized outside linebacker or wideout who might be available late in the first round, because for all you know, Bill Parcells and company might address one or both of those needs via free agency. Moreover, the NFL scouting combine and individual workouts will probably shift around the draft board like a properly cleaned deck of cards in Las Vegas. Heck, for all we know, the Dolphin brain trust might just decide to slide down into the second round in exchange for an extra pick or two, completely dashing all of your pre-draft hopes and aspirations.

Another thing to avoid is the fallacy of pigeonholing players whom you've seen play well for other teams -- especially if said players will command a gargantuan price tag or play in a system that is not congruent with what the Dolphins currently run. That means no 4-3 defensive tackles and no ridiculously priced wideouts. Parcells and his cohorts are not going to break the bank for free agents and/or trades and they’re most definitely not going to bring in players who don't fit the system.

Lastly, make sure to pace yourself. Enjoy free agency, then have fun mulling over draft possibilities. Once you're done with that, soak in the various mini-camps and the second round of free agency.

And before you know it, we’ll all once again be salivating at the prospect of training camp in the waning days of summer.
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About Hugo Guzman

Co-founder of RealFootball365.com. Born in Argentina, of Dominican descent, living in Hoboken, but from Miami through and ...
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