The Times, They Have Changed

What a difference one game makes. The Dolphins are in the game again with the best divisional record in the AFC East and going into the by-week they now possess something they have spent nine long years gloomily pining for. The heir to Dan Marino.

Call me Jim Jones (the cult leader who gave us the expression "drinking the Kool Aid") or tell me that such a statement is knee jerk at best. What I will do is turn around, look you in the face and say that the Dolphins with Henne at the helm will beat the New Orlean Saints in two weeks. It's okay. I am a little crazy. But you can comeback and apologize after the game.


Those that know me from this blog or Matty I's The Phinsider or from the pod of Dolphins fans I run with know that I have been preaching the gospel of Chad Henne for quite some time. It wasn't just the fact that he has Spartacus' cleft chin or a cannon for an arm, but rather the thunderous voice bellowing at the line before the snap. More than the four-year Michigan pedigree it is the unflappable manner he handled his early mistakes. Not to mention his ability to demand better play and question veteran receivers from the get go. Not to mention the fact that his first NFL drive resulted in a touchdown. Did I mention the cannon-arm? Oh, okay. I wasn't sure.


Hedging my audacious claim, you need to know that I am fully aware that the New Orleans Saints may be the second best football team in the NFL (behind the real team from New York, the Giants). I realize that the Dolphins defense will be very hard pressed to defend a ridiculously potent passing attack led by QB Drew Brees. What I do think is that the Miami defense took several games last year to gel and that, or so I hope, will be the case this year. I expect this Saints game to be pinup material for them. This is gut-check time for them. It is time for them to realize that they are the weakness. They are the third of the team that needs to improve. With veterans like Joey Porter, Jason Taylor and Jason Ferguson on the team I think injured pride will translate into better play.

And if they fail we have our own way to put up points galore.

Added to the league's top rushing attack is our newly anointed savior, Spartacus Cannonarm Chad Henne

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Basically I'm saying that just like last year, after some grim showings we are new team. Armed not with the careful death-by-paper-cut management of Chad Pennington (though some of that can be seen in Henne's careful pass selection). Now we can shove the ball down a vaunted defense's throat and then throw it over their heads.

Call it a prayer for deja vu, but I for one am invigorated by the total lack of respect that the Dolphins are being showed. Dig a hole and people will think you can't climb out. It's familiar territory for the Phins. Familiar territory for a team that is the reigning AFC East champ.