We Enter 2006 with HOPE
Well it is that time of year when hope is on the upward slope, spirits have risen, and one actually can't wait for Sundays again. It has been along time coming: the Marlins have won two World Series, the Heat just recently won the NBA Championship, the Panthers have played in the Stanley Cup Finals, and all of this has happened since the Dolphins last Super Bowl appearance. The Miami Hurricanes have even won 5 National Championships since the Dolphins won a Super Bowl, and those teams have to go through at least a 4-year cycle. There is a generation that was not around then to see those glory years. But every year at this time, hope is on the rise. Fans are bullish, every team is 0-0, and free agency has allowed teams to compete more equally, which has given every NFL fan … hope.
The biggest question this year is not the quarterback position, not the offensive line, not the running game, not even the offense at all. It is on the other side of the ball. Will the Dolphins be able to stop the pass in this pass happy league? This is the biggest question of this upcoming season. Can they stop the pass, whether it is over 20 yards or it’s 3rd down and 7. The Dolphins need to be able to stop them both. Two Pro Bowl Cornerbacks have departed over the last two years, safeties are a huge question, can a pass rush be generated to put pressure and hurry up throws, and can the line backers cover the backs out of the backfield or receivers crossing the middle? Much has been made about the QB position and rightly so, but it is the aging Defense that is now even older which will need to play its best ball yet.
Will or can they?
We will wait and see with much HOPE.
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