When I assess the odds to win the SuperBowl I see Tampa +600, Philly +900, then you see Oak, Mia, GB, Pitt, NYJ all in the same area around 10-1 to 14-1. Now when you look at the aqquisitions that each team got compared to the players that they lost no one improved their team more than the Miami Doplhins. The AFC should be a joke for the 9 Pro Bowlers on defense bulking up with Junior Seau, Sammy Knight, Terrell Buckley and Jeff Zgonia. Adding these great players with Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor and the best secondary in the game already is almost not even fair to the game. Tampa did not pick up anyone major, Philly lost Hugh Douglas, Shawn Barber and Brian Mitchell, Oakland lost some key players on D and they aren't getting any younger. The Jets will be lucky if they can go 8-8 and I don't think Vick or Farve can figure out how to beat that Tampa D. Pittsburgh needs about 4 corner backs to even consider winning a championship but they do have a crazy offense. The dolphins started last season 5-1, Fiedler gets injured and Lucas loses 3 games by himself and they had that NE game won and they should have beaten Minny. They should have went 11-5 and if Jay did not get injured probally 13-3 or 12-4 at worst. With the new additions to D, Brian Griese and the best running back in the game period in Rickey Williams they should be favored to win the bowl. When they start this season 5-1 all over again only losing possibly to the Giants in New York week #4, they will be 5-1 in no time. Tampa could not win under 40 degrees they were like 0-38, the year they turned that around they won the bowl winning the most important games of their history in Philly under 40 degrees. People have this stigma that Miami cannot win in December, mark my words this is the year they break that trend and this is "THEIR YEAR". Who is better than this squad that they have put together, please someone validate that they are not the best team in the league.
Zach Thomas is the worst defender I've ever seen. The slightest bit of trickery and he's out of the play. The fins had to dump their best LB when he slapped his wife around, and they replaced him with aging Seau. Knight is wiley but he's too slow and over the season he gives up more big plays than he contributes. The strength of the Fins has always been their defense at home but I don't see it this year.
Offensively, its a mistake to rely on Williams, who needs the ball 35-40 times a game to be effective. That routine only works against the poorer teams. Besides, it takes away from a team's big play potential. They'd be better off with a RB who can run routes and break long runs.
Wannstadt is an average coach who doesn't work enough enough complexity into his game plan. The inability to change schemes is what makes a team unable to finish a game and unable to finish a season.
Offensively, its a mistake to rely on Williams, who needs the ball 35-40 times a game to be effective. That routine only works against the poorer teams. Besides, it takes away from a team's big play potential. They'd be better off with a RB who can run routes and break long runs.
Wannstadt is an average coach who doesn't work enough enough complexity into his game plan. The inability to change schemes is what makes a team unable to finish a game and unable to finish a season.
Pro- As long as they have Wannstiff on the sidelines and Arthur Fiedler at QB, they won't go anywhere. Wannstiff gets outcoached in close games all the time. The New England debacle last year was a perfect example. The defense will wear down like they always do and it will be another average season for a very average team.
