NFL Football Futures Betting – Miami Dolphins Still in AFC Basement
Posted on 8/26/2008 6:15:11 PM
By Stan Simmons
NFL Football Futures – Miami Dolphins
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Is Chad Pennington an upgrade at quarterback?
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How good is the Dolphins offensive line?
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Will the defense be respectable without Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor?
For the NFL football futures bettors that bet the under for the Miami Dolphins 2007 win total, your payout can't get much easier than that. The Dolphins won only one game last year and it took them until Week 15 to get the job done.
This year's squad is looking to make one of those outhouse-to-penthouse turnarounds that the NFL is known for.
The tag team of Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano have taken over the front office and head coaching duties, respectively, and most importantly, Chad Pennington has taken over the quarterbacking duties.
Pennington may not have the strongest arm, but he is extremely accurate, doesn't make many bad decisions and is a good leader. The Dolphins have had none of those three qualities at the quarterbacking position for years.
With the addition of first overall draft pick, tackle Jake Long, and guard Justin Smiley (via free agency), the Dolphins have gone a long ways in solidifying their protection. On top of that, with a healthy Ronnie Brown and the return of a rejuvenated Ricky Williams has given the running game a big boost.
In one offseason, the Dolphins have significantly improved their line, passing game and running game. They aren't Super Bowl caliber, but they will score points consistently.
On defense, the Dolphins will be employing the youth movement after cutting veteran Zach Thomas and trading end Jason Taylor. NFL football futures bettors will watch the Dolphins field a defense for the first time in 11 seasons without neither of these players.
Jason Ferguson was a key offseason acquisition and he'll anchor the nose tackle position on the 3-4 defense. The defensive line will be one of the strong points on defense as the secondary and linebacking corps are a work in progress.
Channing Crowder is a solid young linebacker, but he's flanked by Joey Porter, who is a free agent bust of epic proportions, and Akin Ayodele, an unspectacular plugger. The Dolphins will have to find some rush linebackers off the edges in this 3-4 scheme.
The secondary will have Andre Goodman and Will Allen as the two starting cornerbacks, which makes them one of the weakest in the NFL. You can expect this unit to be continually gashed this year.
For NFL football futures bettors, the 5.5 win total may seem lofty for a team that only won one game last year but realistically, the Dolphins should have won about four games but injuries, a lack of confidence and a poor coaching staff dragged them down. Those three elements have improved as well as the entire offense. Even in a tough division, the Dolphins should be capable of winning six games.
Stan Simmons' Pick: Over 5.5
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Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
