Miami Dolphins can still turn this around

The Miami Dolphins look bad. Really bad but there is still time to turn this mess around. No, I’m not talking about a fire sale or firing all of the coaches. I already have done that. Here, here, and here. This season is the same old song and dance we have listened to for the last three seasons and it’s getting worn out. Like those same records though, there is always a possibility that a new album might someday emerge.

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The Dolphins have talent. They have talent at wide-receiver, they have a talented quarterback. They have talent at running back and tight end. On defense they have a solid defensive line, on paper, Brent Grimes, Reshad Jones, Jelani Jenkins, even Koa Misi is playing better. Something needs to click for it all to come together.

While this season is starting out very bad, there is similarities to last seasons start.

The Dolphins opened 2014 with a big win vs. the Patriots. O.k. beating Washington the way they did was not like beating the Patriots but after the Dolphins won their opener, they quickly sank. The Dolphins were blown out 29-10 by the Buffalo Bills and the following week were blown out by Kansas City 34-15. There was a common call then for the head of Joe Philbin and Kevin Coyle. There was a call for Ryan Tannehill to get benched and a lot of rumors that he would be.

Then came London in week four. The Dolphins destroyed the Oakland Raiders who had a far longer trip to the U.K. than Miami did. Miami won that game 38-14 and entered their bye week 2-2. They played well but came up short against the Packers in week six and then went on a three game winning streak. Things were looking up.

Down the stretch the Dolphins failed again as they did in 2013. The defense fell apart and Branden Albert’s injury destroyed the offensive line. This year the Dolphins are starting with an offensive line in shambles and a defense who has picked up where they left off in 2014. So why is there hope?

For starters, the Dolphins will be getting Branden Albert back as opposed to losing him. The Dolphins defense has more talent up front and have yet to find a way to build chemistry. The Dolphins will also face the Titans and Texans coming off their bye week. If they can beat the New York Jets they could enter their week seven game against the Patriots 4-2 and perhaps, just maybe, find the lacking chemistry they have across the board right now.

Mike Pouncey told reporters yesterday that the Jets game is a must win and he is right. Heading into the bye week with a victory is important and could sway the tide that this team is paddling against. Remember if you are stuck in a rip current don’t panic. Swim lateral towards the shore. The Dolphins need to not panic and regroup.

It’s entirely possible that this team could suddenly wake up from their sleep. The Dolphins are getting a lot of production from Jarvis Landry and Rishard Matthews and should begin seeing more production from De’Vante Parker now that he is healthy. Get the running game going and the passing game will open up more. Protect Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins will have one of the top percentage quarterbacks in the league.

Defensively there is no reason why the combination of Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake can’t still explode. Wake has been nursing a hamstring injury and Suh saw quite a bit of double and even triple teams this past Sunday. If the Dolphins can get the front four lineman working on the same page, they can start getting pressure to the quarterback taking pressure off the inexperienced linebacker and cornerback starters.

Are you buying into any of this yet?

The results last season were still only 8-8 and the Dolphins can’t afford, no Joe Philbin can’t afford another 8-8 season. Perhaps maybe they can indeed turn it around. I want to believe they can and admittedly to write this, I had to pick up those glasses with the rose tint to them. After you are done laughing and calling me names, put your pair on and read it again and maybe your blood pressure might drop a wee bit…but surely if this continues, you may need to take medication.

At least give me a little credit for trying to be optimistic. It’s not easy.