Mia at Pit 2013 Charles Clay Makes Play of Day TD
Charles Clay's TD at Pittsburgh--Play of the Day

 My Prediction
for the
Miami Dolphins 2015-2016
NFL Season: 

Mia at NYJ M Wallace flies into end zone in road win
Mike Wallace flies into end zone at NYJ--Big Road Win
Saturday, August 28, 2015, 9:48 AM: 11-5 regular season (tie for first in AFC East); win first playoff game and put up a good fight in the second round; this team is building, building, building and is definitely on the verge of something great; haters can keep on hating but, in the end, they'll succumb to the DYNASTY that is the MIAMI DOLPHINS!!!

Sunday, February 9, 2014, 11:45 AM: After a disappointing 2013 campaign, I'm not sure what to think.  My current prediction will be based solely on hope.  I hope the Dolphins can do next season what they didn't do last season--an 11-5 record and a playoff berth.  Offensive coordinator Mike Sherman was fired and GM Jeff Ireland is gone.  I don't agree with those decisions, but I can only hope that the replacements will be driven to succeed.  I hope and pray that Alex's senior year will be a year to celebrate many Dolphin wins.  I enjoyed only six wins during my senior year in high school, but I'd love to see Alex get at least eleven during his!
My Prediction for the Miami Dolphins 2013-2014 NFL Season: 
Saturday, October 26, 2013: I just noticed that I hadn't entered my official prediction for this current Dolphin season, but I remember very well what I thought before the season began:
I predicted an 11-5 season.  Unlike most people who think their team will steadily improve, I expected early and consistent success due to the great additions made to the team--Ellerbe, Wheeler, Wallace, Gibson, and more.  I believe the days of slow progress are over; teams can become great quickly (see the 2013 Kansas City Chiefs who were 2-14 last season).  It takes a few talented players and a new philosophy/scheme/belief.
The Dolphins are now 3-3 and play at 5-2 New England tomorrow.  This makes for a perfect opportunity to get well again.  I still believe the Dolphins can achieve a 10-6 mark, but winning tomorrow is imperative.  Go Dolphins!
Update: Sunday, February 9, 2014, 11:40 AM: It is one week after Seattle destroyed Denver in Super Bowl 48 and I'm looking at my prediction for the 2013-14 season.  I must say that I was on the brink of success; however, after going 8-6, the Dolphins couldn't get by two teams that they should've beaten.  The Dolphins had an excellent run late in the season with wins over San Diego, Pittsburgh, and New England.  Then came the flop.  They simply didn't have enough playmakers to get it done.  The bullying issue played a role.  How couldn't it?  Losing two of five starters on the offensive line in the middle of season has to affect any team...and those two guys were healthy.  Purely disappointing.  Hurts.  Even after football season has ended, I'm hurting.  Time heals.  And that's what I need right now.

The NFL schedule was released today, April 17, 2012.  EXCITEMENT REIGNS!!  I am extremely happy with the schedule.  The bye week is more toward the middle of the season for the first time in years.  The FINS get to beat on the hated wets early in the season.  And, most importantly, I can take the two trips I was hoping for--on the weekends of Columbus Day and Veterans' Day.  Awesome, Baby! Looking at the Dolphins, not so much the schedule, I am hopeful for a 9-7 season.  They should be in playoff contention through December, but they might need a full season under new head coach Joe Philbin in order to find their groove.  I want consistent improvement and, just maybe, the FINS might find themselves in position for a Super Bowl run once Rhianna is in eighth grade.  No matter what, I'll enjoy cheering the FINS on each and every week with Alex.  I can't wait!!
My Prediction
for the
Miami Dolphins 2010-2011
NFL Season: SUPER BOWL VICTORY!!
I CANNOT WAIT!!
With many young players now having valuable experience, this Dolphins team will be ready to return to the biggest single-day event in the United States of America.  I truly love this franchise and these guys...and I know how much all of the great Fin fans across the world deserve the joy of a CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON!!  GO FINS!!!
Dolphins Training Camp opened yesterday, Friday, July 30, 2010.  The road to Super Bowl glory is on! I have every reason in the world to be excited about this Fin team.  Ronnie Brown-healthy.  Patrick Cobbs-healthy. Chad Henne-experienced. Jake Long-prime. Karlos Dansby-new defensive leader. Brandon Marshall-new offensive leader.  Everybody else-youth, experience, and desire.  What a great time to be a Dolphins fan!!  I can't wait to soak up every bit of Dolphin action that's out there.  A special season awaits, indeed, and to think I'll have my nephew Alex in eighth grade to share this with makes it heaven.  GO FINS...stay healthy.
Check out the article below from June 5, 2010: Dolphins owner Steven Ross--Love his positive outlook!!

South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Steve Ross predicts Dolphins will make Super Bowl this season

Dolphins owner Steve Ross predicts his team will be playing in the Super Bowl in February

By Sarah Talalay and Omar Kelly, Sun Sentinel   June 5, 2010

MIAMI BEACH

Two giant puddles covered much of the practice field at Miami Beach Senior High School Saturday morning, underscoring the need for renovations that are coming thanks to $164,000 in donations from the Dolphins and team owner Steve Ross.

Ross took Saturday's official ground-breaking for his former high school's new field, which was renamed Ross Field, as an opportunity to put his NFL team on notice that he's expecting a big year in 2010.

"I think in February we'll be playing in the Super Bowl," Ross said.

When it was suggested he might be putting pressure on coach Tony Sparano, Ross said, "Put it this way, he thinks that, too. So does every player on that team. I don't think there's any pressure on it. We've just got to go out and do it."

Ross, a University of Michigan alum and booster, also told the crowd at the field ground-breaking that he hopes Chad Henne, who is beginning his second season as the Dolphins starter, "goes down as the greatest quarterback in Miami Dolphins history."

"Chad Henne can handle pressure. That I can tell you," Ross said.

"I know [because] he started in the University of Michigan as a true freshman playing in front of 110,000 people and leading them to the big 10 championship, as a true freshman.

"I think the Miami Dolphins have a great quarterback for the future and I think everybody in South Florida is excited about what Chad Henne brings to this team."

Set at free safety?

Even though there's been an AOL Fanhouse report stating the Dolphins have made a "strong push" to sign Rams free agent O.J. Atogwe, the team's real interest level can best be labeled as lukewarm.

Atogwe has been a unrestricted free agent for five days and hasn't set up any visits. It appears he'll likely re-sign with the Rams for far less than the $7 million a year he and his camp sought.

"I'm very happy with the safeties we've got on our team right now. Very happy," Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland said this weekend, referring to Chris Clemons, a second-year player who had spent all offseason working with the starters, and rookie Reshad Jones.

Coincidentally, or not, Clemons and his fellow Clemson alum Phillip Merling, who was arrested last week on aggravated battery charges for hitting his pregnant girlfriend, were paired with Dolphins CEO Mike Dee on a fishing boat during Saturday's Fins-Weekend fishing tournament. …

Wound Up, the boat that featured Dolphins offensive linemen Jake Long and Donald Thomas, won Saturday's seven-hour fishing excursion with a combined weight of 132 pounds.

Dansby cramming to learn defense

Even though Karlos Dansby spent the past three seasons playing inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme with the Cardinals, the Dolphins' free agent addition admits he's spent all offseason cramming to learn the Dolphins' scheme.

"I'm trying to hone in on this defense and get it to where I'm comfortable," Dansby said.

"Totally different terminology. We play the game the same way, from the ground up. But when it comes to scheme and terminology it's totally different. Responsibilities and everything are different."

Dansby said he's learned he'll be working in space less than in his tenure with Arizona, and will be "coming downhill more."
Check out the article below from June 6, 2010: Owner Ross visits with QB Chad Henne
The Miami Herald

Miami Dolphins owner likes team's prospects for upcoming season

BY BILL VAN SMITH
Miami Herald Writer

Miami Dolphins majority owner Stephen Ross, right, chats with quarterback Chad Henne at the groundbreaking and dedication of the football field at Miami Beach High on Saturday, June 5, 2010. The field was named after Ross, who is also an alumnus of the school.
Dolphins majority owner Stephen Ross was being honored Saturday in Miami Beach and took the opportunity to make some bold statements about the team's future.

``I think in February, we will be playing in the Super Bowl,'' Ross said.

Does that put some pressure on coach Tony Sparano, who was at the ceremony?

``It's no pressure on him,'' Ross said. ``He thinks that too, and so does every player on the team. You just have to go out and do it.''

Then, upon introducing quarterback Chad Henne, Ross had this to say: ``I'm sure, and I'm hoping -- as everybody else is -- that he goes down as the greatest quarterback in Miami Dolphin history. And you know what that will mean.''

How about that, Dan Marino fans?

``Henne can handle the pressure,'' Ross said. ``That I can tell you. He started at the University of Michigan as a true freshman and was playing in front of 110,000 people and led them to the Big Ten championship. I think the Miami Dolphins have a great quarterback for the future and I think everybody in South Florida is excited about what Chad Henne brings to this team.''

Ross was being honored for donating $82,000, matched by another $82,000 grant from the Dolphins, to refurbish the field at Miami Beach High, where Ross is an alumnus. The field will be renamed Ross Field. Saturday's ceremony included the cheerleaders from the high school as well as the Dolphins, a groundbreaking, a banner declaring it Ross Field and a proclamation declaring June 5 as Stephen Ross Day in Miami Beach.

In addition to Sparano and Henne attending, there were six other Dolphins players, former players Dick Anderson and Nat Moore and just about every dignitary in Miami Beach.

``Being my alma mater, it's really exciting,'' Ross said. ``Of course, they didn't name the field after me for my athletic feats -- or my scholastic feats.''

Ross, who graduated in 1958, played offensive and defensive tackle for the Hi-Tides.

``When I played, we certainly weren't a power,'' he said.

Ross said making the donation was a ``no-brainer.''

``Coming from your high school, it's something I couldn't say no to,'' Ross said of the donation request. ``Now I'm sure I'll get a lot of letters from almost every high school. But we want to be part of and be active in South Florida.

``When I was a kid, we were always on the playing fields at Miami Beach. Having good fields to play on is important. Everybody in South Florida likes being outdoors.''

It took only one quick glance Saturday to see why the school needed an upgraded playing field. It was covered in large puddles from the rain Friday, making it unplayable.

``The kind of conditions you see the field in [Saturday], you know it needs improvement,'' Ross said.

Miami Beach High coach Ralph Jimenez often refers to the field as Lake Okeechobee when it rains.

Now the shoddy field will be spruced up and put in playable condition.

``What better way to be active in the community than give something back to the school that meant so much to me,'' Ross said.
The Miami Herald
Posted on Thu, Jun. 10, 2010

Greg Cote: Miami Dolphins owner's Super Bowl prediction not implausible

Ordinarily we only hear from Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross when he is delighted to introduce the club's latest celebrity part-owner, so on the rare occasion when he says something about, you know, the actual football team, it bears noting. Especially when he is saying: ``I think in February, we will be playing in the Super Bowl.''

And not to himself was he saying this, by the way, or in private, perhaps in the emboldening glow of a cocktail or two. But in public! To reporters.

He didn't specify which February, granted. Maybe he meant 2017. But the obvious implication is this season, which is notable because Miami was a prosaic 7-9 team last year, and because the Dolphins currently are held third in the AFC East in general national regard, behind the New England Patriots and New York Stinkin' Jets.

``I love it,'' new receiver Brandon Marshall said Wednesday of the owner's optimistic, not-quite-guarantee. ``We need more owners like that. Lots of coaches and front offices shy away from that type stuff. You want to make plays for owners and front offices when they are saying things like that.''

I tend to agree with Marshall. No crime in what Ross said. Besides, given Miami's decades-long Super Bowl drought, the law of averages alone are on his side.

Coach Tony Sparano, the man charged with covering Ross' gigantic check, was diplomatic Wednesday, saying, ``I'm happy Mr. Ross has the confidence in us to feel like he's seen the progress. Our team is getting better. I'm excited with where we are.''

GREAT EXPECTATION ALL AROUND

The water down here, it must be spiked with giddy serum.

First, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and president David Samson separately said they expect the team to make the baseball playoffs this year (the toughest ticket in sports) -- undeterred by the fact no credible expert anywhere agreed with them.

Then Heat president Pat Riley spoke of producing an NBA champion from this summer's free agency bounty, even adorning D-Wade with the D-word by talking about building a dynasty.

Now Ross is encouraging Dolfans to expect -- not merely hope for, but anticipate -- our flagship franchise's first Super Bowl appearance since the 1984 season and perhaps its first SB title hallowed 1973.

All three displays of extreme optimism are different in motive and reality.

Marlins ownership, I think, raised expectations high to set up the firing of manager Fredi Gonzalez should the team miss the playoffs or seem headed to that.

In Riley's case, ``dynasty'' is pushing it, but otherwise his optimism is justified. The Heat is hell-bent to keep Wade, and has as much salary-cap room as any team to spend big in a star-filled summer for free agency.

Ross' Super Bowl talk seems to fall somewhere in between. Unlike the Marlins he is not building false hope with ulterior motive. Yet his Dolphins are not as clearly positioned as the Heat to be a championship player right now.

I think Ross is simply an inexperienced NFL owner who maybe got a little carried away. Same thing when he said he hopes Chad Henne proves to be the greatest quarterback in Dolphins history. With Henne about to begin his first season as the starter, and with his predecessors including guys named Bob Griese and Dan Marino, is that really a yoke of expectations you want on the shoulders of an unproven young guy? (Answer: Well, yes, maybe, if you believe in self-fulfilling prophecy. Hoping and believing were still free, when last I checked).

Truthfully, Henne supplanting Marino in Dolphins lore or Dolfans' hearts -- that, at this point, is about as reasonable a bet as North Korea winning the World Cup.

STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED

Dolphins reaching the Super Bowl this year?

That at least feels somewhat plausible. No, it actually does.

A friendly schedule makes 10 wins reasonable, which usually means playoffs.

Offensively the line looks solid, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams return as a stout running tandem, and the receiver Marshall is a huge addition. With at least solid competence from Henne, Miami should score enough.

Defensively new coordinator Mike Nolan is an enormous upgrade, and so is new linebacker Karlos Dansby. Three quality cornerbacks and a strongly D-oriented draft give Nolan a lot to work with.

Miami has only a couple of practices left before the start of late-summer training camp, and Sparano, in June, has reason when he says, ``I'm excited where we are.''

You still might not want to bet big on Stephen Ross looking like a clairvoyant genius come February, but, hey, isn't that part of the beauty of sports?

There is always exactly as much optimism available as you want there to be.

And dreaming won't cost you a dime.
 

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