2008 Miami Dolphins NFL Predictions

While the New England Patriots ended the 2007 NFL regular season undefeated, the Miami Dolphins were on the other end of the spectrum. Miami did salvage one win last year in week 15 to keep the goose egg off the board. In comes Bill Parcells as the club's Executive Vice President of Operations. The feeling is that if he can't get this thing turned around, no one can. So the big question now is how much improvement can be expected in Parcells' first year calling the shots from the front office? Jimmy Boyd provides his take in his 2008 Miami Dolphins predictions and season preview.
 

Bet on Football Using Your Credit Card

Offense

The Dolphins have not had a QB to write home about since Dan Marino called it quits. The trio of John Beck, Chad Henne, and Josh McCown will try to fill that role. An improved offensive line and a solid running attack figures to make life easier on the QB corps, but they will have just average wide outs to throw to. Beck looked very shaky under center last season, McCown has just a 12-19 record as a starter, and the rookie Henne is coming off shoulder surgery.

The backfield duo of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams rushed for over 1,600 yards in 2005 and the prospects are good in 2008 that they will return to form. Williams is making the league minimum because of his past trangressions and will really look to have a good year in the final season of his contract. Brown was on his way to a Pro Bowl season before tearing his ACL last year. He'll also be eager to show he is still the same back. Powerful rookie Jalen Parmele also joins the mix.

Ted Ginn Jr. will be the focal point of the Dolphins air attack in just his second year. He showed that he has excellent hands and the ability to stretch opposing defenses if the QB's can make the deep throws. Ernest Wilford has great size and should help in the red zone. After them, it's a very thin unit filled with no-namers.

The offensive line instantly improved with the announcement that the Dolphins would select Michigan's Jake Long as the first overall draft pick. Solid guard Justin Smiley, promising center Samson Satele, and blossoming tackle Vernon Carey lay the foundation for a unit that will be elite soon enough.

Defense

Nose tackle Jason Ferguson comes over from Dallas to plug the gap in the 3-4 scheme. Vonnie Holiday and Jason Taylor aren't getting any younger while Matt Roth and Quentin Moses are yet to reach their potential. Taylor notched 11 sacks last season, but six of those came after the Dolphins were already 0-10. All signs point to the Dolphins not wanting to get rid of Taylor right now, but it will be interesting to see how he performs after such a tumultuous offseason.

Zach Thomas' shoes will be tough to fill at middle linebacker, but Channing Crowder and Akin Adoyele will team up to try. A healthy and motivated Joey Porter could be poised for his best season in several years.

The Dolphins really struggled at the safety spot in 2007, sifting through eight starters, but it looks like they've finally found their guy with Chris Crocker. Jason Allen is constantly improving at the other safety spot. Will Allen and Andre' Goodman will take most of the snaps at the cornerback spots.

Special Teams

Jay Feely is coming off a stellar season, setting a franchise record by hitting 91.3% of his attempts (21 of 23). Punter Brandon Fields isn't so bad himself with a 43.2 yard average and placing 10 punts within the 10 yard line. Tedd Ginn Jr. has the potential to become an elite returner.

Prediction – 3rd AFC East

The Dolphins should get out of the basement in 2008 thanks to the declining Jets. If Miami can continue to draft well and develop their QB's, catching the Bills could happen as soon as next season. The Patriots are still the elite team in the East.

Do all of your football betting with Jimmy Boyd's NFL picks this season. You'll never have to look for another handicapping service ever again as Jimmy Boyd produces more winners with his football picks than any other service year after year on the gridiron.

Check out the official site of the Miami Dolphins and for more great sites on the Miami Dolphins team check out these fan sites:

• Phins Central - A Forum that's all about the Miami Dolphins.
• Fin Heaven - Another forum you need to know in order to keep up on the Miami Dolphins.
• Phin Fever - A great site with news about the team.
• Phinatics - Dolphins site for fans and collectors.
• PhinFanactis - not just phans but phantics.
• Phins - the first site about the team on the internet.

June 26th, 2008