The Miami Dolphins have been a Jekyll and Hyde team over the past two NFL seasons.
After years of inconsistent play, the Dolphins seemed to be getting it together in the 2008 season, when the team won 11 games and earned a berth in the NFL Playoffs. Granted, Miami’s postseason was short-lived, as the Dolphins were dumped 27-9 by the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round, but the team seemed headed in the right direction.
Then, in 2009, the Dolphins opened the season with three straight losses, a bad start that got worse when starting quarterback Chad Pennington suffered a shoulder injury against the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 27.
Pennington was out for the season and was replaced by youngster Chad Henne. Just when it appeared the panic button would be pushed in Miami, the Dolphins under Henne went on to rattle off seven wins in the next 10 games (7-3 SU). Things were looking up.
The problem was, the Dolphins closed the season the same way they started it – with three straight losses. Miami wound up with a 7-9 SU record and missed the playoffs.
Going into training camp this week, Henne is the starter. He seemed to get better as last season went on, passing for 2878 yards with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, and the Dolphins have high hopes for him in the 2010 campaign.
Indeed, many pundits see the Dolphins having a strong 2010 campaign, and are talking about the Dolphins as a contender once again.
The rushing attack looks even better this season with Ricky Williams, who showed he could still be a force last season, and a healthy Ronnie Brown providing a great 1-2 punch.
The Dolphins open the 2010 NFL season on the road against the Buffalo Bills, on Sept. 12. Miami is a -150 moneyline, 3-point favorite and the over/under is 37 in NFL Odds at betED.com.
Miami is at +4500 to win Super Bowl XLV in NFL Futures, and the Dolphins NFL regular season win total is 8.5 (Over, +100; Under, -120).
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