Dolphins "Reload" instead of "Rebuild"

  Exciting article out of NFL.COM tonight. Seems like major news outlets are finally paying attention to what we have been watching all year. In this article, Dolphins RELOAD , NFL.COM breaks down our improbable 2008 run. People are getting a whiff of what we have been smelling all year, a playoff caliber team. Surprising as it is, the Miami Dolphins have a real chance at making the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Before last week it seemed obvious that going 4-1, and hoping for help, was our best chance at the playoffs. Well after beating St.Louis, that stat shrinks to 3-1. While winning out wins us the division, that is a stat based on the other teams in our division taking care of their business.

  What started off as an 0-2 "seen this before" season, has turned into a exciting improbable run to the playoffs. With a new coach, and 50% new players, the Dolphins have already successfully produced one of the greatest one season turnarounds in NFL history. New players, new coaches, and new schemes have rarely come together as fast as this years Phins has. A change of culture and attitude has gone farther than most expected.

  Major analysts are starting to pay attention to Miami's playoff chances. In this article, John Clayton "Playoff Darkhorses", John Clayton himself mentions us as a dangerous team from here on out. Our schedule has shaped up favorably, but the only reason that matters is because the Phins took care of business early this season when facing "The Meat" of the schedule. After an 0-2 start, the Phins shocked the Chargers and Patriots back to back (with a bye week in between). That two game stretch set up the rest of the season nicely, and the Phins have capitalized.

  How this season came to fruition can be debated. But in this article, Phins Draft Success, the real foundation of this year is revealed. New to the team, the trifecta needed to score big in this draft to supplement what they inherited. Not only did they hit gold with nearly every pick (so far), but they grabbed numerous players that were undrafted (see FREE!). With 2 second round picks next year (thanks JT), the Phins set up nicely to add to their newly formed competitive team. Many holes remain, but compared to where the Phins sat "BP" (before Parcells), the team looks promising. Clear holes and needs remain after 12 games, as when last year it seemed we the Phins needed a little bit of everything.

  Numerous times I have heard analysts on TV saying the Phins "know who they are". To me, that means they know what to do to win, and how to give themselves the best chance to win. Lightning in a bottle is always the wildcard in sports. Sometimes a team that doesn't realize they have no place being where they are goes a long way in sports. Money can buy you a 1-2 year window (see JETS), but core building through the draft is how you form a dominant dynasty.

  So here we sit , in control of our own destiny with 4 games to go. Not just any 4 games, 4 very winnable games. The Phins are playing with house money, and every week the house seems to get farther in debt. Never before has a team sat at 7 wins, 12 games into the season, with less to lose. If you predicted more than 7 wins in the preseason, people would have doubted your prediction. Well it has come true. The Vegas over/under before the year started was 5.5 wins. With 4 to go Vegas is already collecting the doubters money. This year has already been special, and made me proud to be a Phins fan again.

  This week we take on Buffalo in Toronto. Yet another break in a season of BIG BREAKS. From here on out the Phins are in bonus time, and we are lucky enough to be fans of the NFL's greatest turnaround in years. It has been a tremendous ride, and so much more is yet to come. Finally Sundays are again too far away, and the Phins matter again.

via www.sportslogos.net