Rumpole says: we've been doing it for 25 years or so, so why should this year be any different? Take it from the guy who has watched 90% of ALL plays in EVERY pre-season game this year so far (The NFL Channel makes our job so much easier), we will be ready on day one to make you some bucks.
Your 2009 Dolphin pre-pre forecast:
The best Dolphin draft pick in 2009: Second round (61st overall) Sean Smith. A real steal at 61 and very impressive in camp. This 6' 3 1/2" 214 pound CB will be a shut down corner in the red zone man defense for many years to come.
The worst Dolphin draft pick in 2009? Easy. Our insiders tell us that first round pick CB Vontae Davis - while athletically gifted, lacks the desire, intelligence, and is far from the hard nosed football player a first round CB should be. This will be a wasted pick as Sean Smith keeps Davis relegated to an expensive nickel back substitution player.
Will the Dolphins win the division again this year? Not likely. Although Chad Pennngton becomes the first QB to start a second season for the Dolphins in 7 years, a weak wide receiving corps (you really think Greg Camarillo and Devon Bess match up favorably with the likes of say,
Moss and Welker for the Cheaters, or Ward and Holmes for the Steelers?) puts the pressure on the offense. Teams will put 7 and 8 defenders in the box, double Ted Ginn if necessary and press coverage on Camarillo and Bess or the TE. With the running game tied down, the Fins don't have the guns at WR to stretch the field and make the defense pay.
The defense also has some gaps, including the aforementioned rookies at CB, and the disappointing pre-season of Dolphin LB/DE Matt Roth. Don't expect Joey Porter to repeat his feats of last year, and Jason Taylor is a nice pick up, but lets face it- he's way past his prime and subject to injury.
The bottom line: The Dolphins still have a suspect secondary, a weak WR corps, and an aging group of LB's with Porter and Taylor. Their running game is solid, but teams will shut that down and force them into passing situations. The wildcat won't surprise anyone this year, and coach Bill Cowher has been telling anyone and everyone that will listen that the way to beat the Wildcat is to blitz it. Just ask the Ravens if that works. (Remember last year's playoff fiasco?)
The dolphins are well coached but they invested a luxury pick in the second round in QB Pat White when a LB, DL lineman, or RB would have had more immediate results. Vonate Davis will be a bust like his older brother TE Vernon Davis (also a first round pick with exceptional athleticism but no heart for the game).
The Patriots are back. The Jets are well coached but should be beatable and the Colts are also on their way down but Manning is always tough and the home opener on Monday night should tell us a lot.
A wildcard slot is possible, but we just don't see the Dolphins better than 9-7 this year. They are improving, but this is a tough league.
15 comments:
Rump= did you hear WIOD shout out props to everyone's favorite DUI Judge and former Dolphin Ed Newman?
Hear it?
I saw it! Standing right there during the pre-game on radio. (Sorry no TV so no chance at reviewing the films)
Rump how are you doing this and at the game at the same time?
My dear Sir or Madam:
I only fly in private jets.
I only eat at the finest establishments,
I only drink the best wines and liquors (although almost any beer will do.)
AND......
I ONLY attend games in a luxury box.
Nuff said.
Rumpolium:
Private Jets, really?
A very sexy Fan
Rump is Michael Vick's agent.
Madam:
Several years ago I was exposed to Net Jets and I realized it was the ONLY was to travel. Mixing with the Hoi Poloi of First Class upgrades because they maxed out their credit cards and got some stupid travel points was terribly inconvenient not to mention offensive.
Much like mixing with the unwashed masses in line at the REGJB that our poor dear friend Oh Susannah had to do when she braved the metal detector lines to do her job oh so well.
One day while flying to LA on business in first class I had to endure some snooty brat who devoured a never ending supply of "big macs" that his mother (who should have known better but had her own obvious nutritional issues) supplied. Arriving for court smelling like a french fry is not my style.
I mentioned the offensive trip to a well connected LA friend, and voila! I was flying home in style. I was offered membership in a sort of club, and purchased enough hours for vacation time and business travel, and I was hooked. These days clients who desire my services out of town are told up front that the fees include an additional expense for extra Net Jet hours should they choose to engage my services.
I reluctantly allow them to travel with me.
Back to law for a minute here:
Did anyone else catch the NPR story this afternoon featuring the Detroit Public Defender who said that his client deserved to be executed even though he had not even been sentenced to death and was exonerated through DUI evidence?
Rump, snobbery doesn't suit you. Intellect, wit and a little display of sensitivity/tenderness here and there is what made me fall in love with you...
9:36 p.m., did he say DUI evidence or DNA evidence?
Rumpole
When did you become such a bragger? Net jets? In your dreams
While I am a fan of Southwest Air and use their services for some cases I have in Tampa and Jacksonville and Baltimore and DC, I am an even bigger fan of Net Jets and IF and when you ever discover my identity, ask me to whip our my Net Jet Id Card, which I will be happy to do.
Using NJ for vacations in Sun Valley, Idaho, not to mention the Sierra Nevada mountains, is a no brainer. And I love it. So there!
Fins win BTW. Taking limo home.
I said it was u a long time black
I have to be honest, Artie Spiegel deserves to be judge is Newman stays on the bench. He is a nice man, but a horrible jurist. Hey Artie, update your FL Statutes and get your campaign ready. You go my vote.
Arriba Arturito!
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