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NFL odds: 2008 Dolphins
By Jordan WaltersWagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
| Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook |
2007 record: 1-15 (5-10-1 ATS)
Offense: As you would expect, a team that went 1-15 in 2007 had trouble scoring points (finishing 26th in the league with an average of 16.7). One bright spot was running back Ronnie Brown, who was leading the league in total yards, but he tore his ACL in Week 7, and the Miami season went down the drain with him. Ricky Williams is back after six carries last season following reinstatement, and he has looked great in camp by all reports.
And he’s playing for a contract. So a Williams-Brown tandem (when Brown gets fully healthy) could be solid. However, the quarterback position is a major question mark as Josh McCown, he of the 31 career NFL starts, battles 2007 second-round pick John Beck (four career starts, all losses) and 2008 second-round pick Chad Henne for the top job. Expect McCown to win the job to start the year but for Henne, the long-term solution, to take over by midseason. Ted Ginn Jr. and Derek Hagan will be the top receiving targets, but both have been rather disappointing in their short careers. This season’s No. 1 overall pick Jake Long will start immediately at left tackle. Still, this team won’t score much, so look for many under bets involving Miami.
Defense: As you would expect, a team that went 1-15 last season had trouble stopping teams, as Miami allowed 50 touchdowns last season and finished 30th in points allowed. In addition, the Fins lost two potential Hall of Famers in LB Zach Thomas and DE Jason Taylor. Jason Ferguson will help on the defensive line, while Channing Crowder likely will take over for Thomas in the middle. Fellow linebacker Joey Porter was terrible last year after coming over from Pittsburgh, so any bounce back year from him would help this team. The front seven could feature as many as five new starters.
Key additions: DT Jason Ferguson; WR Ernest Wilford; C Rex Hadnot; QB Josh McCown; LB Reggie Torbor; DB Keith Davis; LB Akin Ayodele; TE Anthony Fasano.
Key losses: LB Zach Thomas; DE Jason Taylor; WR Marty Booker; QB Trent Green; DT Keith Traylor; SS Lance Schulters; QB Cleo Lemon; LB Derrick Pope; RB Jesse Chatman.
2008 over/under on WagerWeb.com: 5.5 WagerWeb.com odds to win AFC: +5500 WagerWeb.com odds to win Super Bowl: +10000 (second-longest in league behind Falcons)
Wrap-up: Bill Parcells teams generally improve in his first year, and there’s nowhere to go but up. However, Parcells had to basically start from scratch, and he’s an executive, not on the sideline. The Fins could keep some games close by pounding the ball with Williams and Brown, but if they go to a rookie QB in Henne, there will be major growing pains. Miami could challenge the over number of 5.5 season wins but ultimately will fall just under.
Best bet: I’m tempted to say Miami would beat the Jets, or at least cover, in the opener; Miami is currently listed a 3-point underdog. However, the Fins are 0-8-1 ATS against New York in the last nine games – now that’s a trend. So let’s go with Week 7 against Baltimore. Miami got its lone win against the Ravens last year (also at home), and Baltimore figures to be nearly as offensively-challenged as Miami is in 2008.
Dolphins’ 2008 schedule
1 NY Jets
2 @Arizona
3 @New England
4 BYE
5 San Diego
6 @Houston
7 Baltimore
8 Buffalo
9 @Denver
10 Seattle
11 Oakland
12 New England
13 @St Louis
14 @Buffalo
15 San Francisco
16 @Kansas City
17 @NY Jets
Predicted finish: 5-11 (fourth in AFC East)
