Eons ago a defense with no big names basically went undefeated and won the Superbowl. They’re now legend in the minds of most Miami Fans. It was a defense that really played well as a unit. You’ll hate the comparison but sort of very Belichick-like. No one player was celebrated but the team as a whole was outstanding. They fought every down and are now firmly in the minds of a lot of fans as the best unit ever. Yes the 86 Bears, 92 Giants etc etc were probably better;  but neither of those units went undefeated. So if anything else, consistency belongs to the 72 Dolphins.               

Here’s the thing: If Miami is going to have any success this year at all, they’re going to need the offense to play well as a unit. Maybe going undefeated might be too lofty a goal but expecting them to repeat 2008’s performance might not be out of reach. David Garrard is a savvy veteran QB who is in his prime. He was cast off last year, much like Peyton, because of younger hope and a neck injury. Garrard is different in that his surgery was elective and the first. He is showing no ill-effects from it. He is essentially the catalyst Miami needs to ignite a band if nobodies. Tough task…yes. Impossible….no. Pennington had much the same task in 2008 but had no Reggie Bush in the backfield. He also had a worse OL to deal with. With a little luck, Garrard could have his most successful season ever. Miami needs that.            

As fans we’re not used to the once-in-awhile playoff appearance with the early exit. Moreover, maybe I just speak for the old fans. The decade of 2000 hasn’t been too kind to the Fins. It would be nice to change that this year. The defense actually has all the pieces and just needs to come together under the new scheme. Miami needs them to perform well early. The offense should come around and at least not be worse than last year’s version. Your hope, and mine, is that both of these units find their feet early and at least win games they should win. If that happens, they can spend the season fine tuning their late season performance. In my perfect imagination and hope, Garrard is the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year and the Dolphins win 12 games. Reality jolts me back from my daydream. This team should win 8 games with the defense alone. They’ve got a great veteran LB corps. They have a solid defensive front and can bring pressure off the edge. Their CB’s need to play like they talk. The safeties merely need to be average. That should bring 8 games into the win column.               

If Garrard can take advantage of close games, 4 lost last year, then Miami might have a shot at the playoffs. Maybe, might…if

Go Miami!