Vontae Davis and Sean Smith were burnt to toast; Brandon Marshall was plagued humorh butterfingers, and Chad Henne threw his share of ducks. Food references aside, the Dolphins were flat-out bad this pre-season.

Now, take that lethargic perform with Bill Parcells’ sudden decision to step down and take a consultant role with the team, and worry is growing increasingly pessimistic in Miami.

Don’t hit the panic button however — it was only pre-season. And Parcells is not gone,Dan Marino, his voice will still be heard loud and clear. He is merely allowing Jeff Ireland to fulfill the duundertakes the team promised him upon his arcompete with in Miami.

So, Dolfans, relax and get excited.The regular season has arrived, and your Blog Blitz season predictions are here.

Most Valuable Player: Lousaka Polite
Polite deserves this honor partly because he went so grossly overlooked last year. The running back not only paved the way for the league’s fourth best rushing offense, but was also a perfect 16-for-16 on third and fourth down transformations. Defenses will center on Polite this season, but even when they knew he was getting the ball on those short yardage changes in 2009, he could not be stopped. He is the unsung hero of the Dolphins, and in 2010 should earn the notoriety he deserves.

Player Most Likely to Breakout: Cameron Wake
The cards are set up for Cameron Wake to become a household name by the end of 2010. Mike Nolan, who last year changed to Broncos outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil into a sack-machine, brings a blitz-oriented defensive scheme,Chad Pennington, and most importantly, Wake will be a starter. Dolfans are drooling over Wake’s possibility, and 2010 should be big.

Player Most Likely to Disappoint: Brandon Marshall

Calm down. Brandon Marshall is going to be a beast this year, therefore his nickname, “The Beast.” But Miami fans are making the assumption that Marshall will post elite numbers. He may very well do so, but Marshall is playing in a run-first offense with a young, unproven quarterback running the show. Not to mention, stud wide receivers have a troubling track record after trades (See: Joey Galloway, Roy Williams, Randy Moss in Oakland, many others). All of these factors work against Marshall and make him the player most likely to disappoint, but chances are he will produce at a very, very tall level. After all, the guy made Kyle Orton look like a really darn good quarterback.

Rookie Who Will Make the Biggest influence: Koa Misi
First round pick Jared Odrick might rake in the biggest paycheck, but he is not the Dolphin rookie poised to make the biggest and most immediate impact. Instead, second-round pick Koa Misi is in a prime position to make a enormous impact in Miami. Misi will start at outside linebacker in Nolan’s blitz-heavy, hybrid scheme, which should allow him to both get after the quarterback and into opposing backfields. Plus, offenses will be keeping their eyes peeled for Karlos Dansby and Wake, which should grant Misi even more freedom to cause mayhem. The Dolphins might just have a Defensive Rookie of the Year sleeper candidate on their hands.

Team Expectations: 9-7 and a Wild-Card Playoff Birth

Simply put, the Dolphins are a team that could go 5-11 or 11-5. There are just far too many questions surrounding this roster to believe that they will topple the division (I believe the Jets will be a bust and finished under .500, which paves the way for the Dolphins to grab a Wild Card see). However, if this secondary can turn the tide from the Preseason and play well, not even great, just well,Mark Gregory, then the Dolphins are in a position to win the division. Beyond that, Chad Henne must live up to the hype,Pat White, the offensive line must gel, and the special teams must correct their ship as well. These are all interests that can easily be answered, and if the Dolphins do actually react positively, they will make a Super Bowl run.

– SCOTT ALTMAN
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Who are the New York Jets?
The New York Jets, beginningally donned the Titans of New York, were founded in 1959 by broadsampleer Harry Wismer. Under the overrated leadership of Joe Namath, the Jets captured a 1968 Super Bowl victory, only to endure roughly 45 years of mediocrity since. The Jets have garnered fame for Rex Ryan’s obnoxiously big mouth, becoming the “little brother” behind the New York Giants, and endless reels of fans booing their draft picks. Today, they are anchored by a nucleus of Mark Sanchez,Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis, Bart Scott, Nick Mangold, Braylon Edwards, Shonn Greene, and Ladainian Tomlinson.

What do the Jets like to focus their game plans on?
One year after maintaining the NFL team rushing crown, the Jets ditched leading rusher Thomas Jones and homerun threat Leon Washington in favor of youngster Shonn Greene and an aging Ladainian Tomlinson. The results have been admirable, and the Jets are currently tied with the Dolphins as the seventh best rushing team in the league. Mark Sanchez has attempted only 53 passes, which is the fourth lowest total among starting quarterbacks. New York will, like the Dolphins, play a conservative,Jared Odrick, run-oriented game.

Defensively, the Jets are without Darrelle Revis and Kris Jenkins, which limits what they can ultimately do. However, Rex Ryan is a defensive mastermind and will concoct some crazy blitz packages.

Where are the Jets most dangerous?
Franchise defenders Darrelle Revis and Kris Jenkins will not perform for the Jets on Sunday night, which downgrades the team’s secondary and front seven. Instead, the running back tandem of Shonn Greene and Ladainian Tomlinson becomes the most dangerous unit for New York. The pair is currently ranked 7th in the league in rushing, undertaked humorh no other than the Miami Dolphins.

When are the Jets at their best?
Based on their 2009 season, the Jets succeed when their running game thrives. New York was 8-3 when they had the game’s leading rusher.

Why do the Jets present a difficult matchup for the Dolphins?
Quite frankly, the Jets do not present many equal up problems for the Dolphins. Prior to the start of the season,Mark Duper, when Kris Jenkins and Darrelle Revis were healthy, New York looked to have a clear advantage over the ‘Fins. However,Chad Pennington, without Jenkins to clog the Dolphins rushing attack, and Revis to lockdown Brandon Marshall, Miami’s offense will likely thrive. The Dolphins surmade 145 rushing yards to Adrian Peterson in Week 2, but Greene and Tomlinson do not quite compare to A.P., and Miami will have linebacker Channing Crowder and outside linebacker Ikaika Alama-Francis back from injuries to aid against the Jets rushing attack.

– SCOTT ALTMAN
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Follow him on Twitter @FinsBlogBlitz

It’s been nearly 25 years since the Miami Dolphins last performed in a Super Bowl (Jan. 20,Jared Odrick, 1985 to be exact). Almost a quarter-century. Ronald Reagan was just starting his second term in office. Miami Vice was in the middle of its first season.

To be sure, other NFL franchises have had it worse (the Lions come to mind) but even the famously bungling Bengals have been to the big show since the Dolphins last got there. And, moreover, the Dolphins are assumed to be one of the premiere franchises in the NFL (if not in pro sports completely). If they aren’t “America’s Team,Chad Henne,” they still have a storied history and a nationwide fan base. Sports may be cyclical, but for a team of this import – this is one hell of a dry spell.

Consider some of the teams (some of them recent expansion squads) that have been to the Super Bowl since the Dolphins last made it there, besides the Bengals:

The Carolina Panthers. The Tennessee Titans. The Atlanta Falcons. The Seattle Seahawks. The San Diego Chargers. And now even the Arizona Cardinals have been to a Super Bowl since Miami’s last appearance.

Not to mention the Ravens, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Tampa Bay (before 2008 the only team to have a winless season) all have championship rings in the past ten years. These are hardly storied franchises. They are not the Cowboys. Or the 49ers. Or even the Broncos.

If anything has singed the bottlenoses of Dolphins fans for the last quarter-century, it’s been watching these, shall we say, ‘less-distinguished’ franchises all get their day in the sun although we’ve been on the sidelines. Year after frustrating year.

The Raiders have fallen from grace and are surely pathetic as anyone now, but they went to the dance as recently as 2003. The Packers, clearly a historic team,Jake Long, had suffered long and hard, but Brett Favre and Reggie White required care of that.

Of course the Dolphins haven’t actually won a Super Bowl since 1974 (Super Bowl VIII), a blowout against the Purple People Eater Vikings. However, the Dolphins’ previous year,Dan Marino, the undefeated ’72 season was the team’s greatest achievement and remains its valued maintain to glory and fame.

The most important Super Bowl before that game was, indisputably, Joe Namath’s New York Jets upset victory in Super Bowl III (in Miami) in 1969.

But the Jets have not been to a Super Bowl since. They lost AFC championship games to Denver in

1999 and to the Dolphins in 1983 (remember AJ Duhe, anyone?).

This brings us to our larger point. What is arguably the most prominent and storied NFL franchise humorh the largest NFL fan-base to go the longest without a Lombardi trophy, or even a Super Bowl appearance? It has to be the New York Jets.

So as you watch the game tonight (where hopefully Gang Green will sink in a sea of aqua) Dolphins fans, no matter the outcome, take comfort in this fact: the hated Jets have had it worse. Historically speaking, at least.

— DAVID ROCK

The Indianapolis Colts face off against the Miami Dolphins at Landshark Stadium, in a Monday Night Football game that features the 2008 NFL MVP, and the runner-up for last year’s award.

Quarterbacks Peyton Manning (the MVP ) AND Chad Pennington (the runner-up) are far and away the most important pieces of their respective teams. The Colts’ Manning is the prototypical QB, as we all know; size, arm reveal,Jake Long, toughness, leadership ability and acumen. All the Dolphins’ Pennington lacks are the foremost two qualiundertakes. However, he makes up for these deficits humorh his accuracy accuracy which is the important to Miami’s possibility success in this game.

The quarterback equal up is likely to be won by Manning from a statistical standpoint as the Colts offense only goes as he goes. What Pennington needs to do is simply manage his team, move them down the field, and position the Dolphins’ running game to put points on the board.

Last week, Manning and the Colts strongly structured the ball. He racked up 301 yards on 28 completions; common Manning numbers. He threw just one touchdown, to Reggie Wayne, but he could toss two more than that against the Dolphins. Miami must newspapersure Manning and force mistakes. If he transforms third downs and completes passes with ease, the Dolphins will be in serious trouble, as they were last week against the Atlanta Falcons and Matt Ryan. Ryan dissected the Fins’ secondary, and if there isn’t a major improvement by this unit, this game just might be over very quickly.

The Dolphins did do a fine job a week ago in controlling Michael Turner, holding the Atlanta running back to just 65 yards. Miami must be as stingy, from a run-stopping standpoint, against Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. The front seven for Miami is this unit’s strength, but they must prove it against the Colts.

It’s the Fins’ secondary that worries me. The Falcons’ Matt Ryan relied on his TE, Tony Gonzalez, and Gonzalez came up big with five catches and a TD for 73 yards. Manning will utilize Dallas Clark early and often, especially since WR Anthony Gonzalez will be out for up to eight weeks because of a knee injury. As a result, the Colts signed ex-Eagles WR Hank Baskett, who could factor into the game, as could young wideouts Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon.

It’s going to be very difficult to shut down Manning and this offense, but if the Fins can simply contain him (say 275 yards and two TDs), then they will have a great chance.

Scoring for Miami will come from its rushing attack led by Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Both didn’t really have fantastic games in Week 1, but Williams added a meaningless scentral idea late in the game. The two combined for just 82 yards on 17 carries. Both of those totals must be heavily increased if Miami hopes to be successful. The Colts rushing defense gave up 97 yards to Maurice Jones-Drew last week, so Miami could find success on the ground against Indianapolis.

Through the air, Pennington will have to get a better rhythm going with No. 1 WR Ted Ginn Jr., who was actually invisible last week with just 26 yards on two receptions. Besides Ginn, Pennington must rely on Greg Camarillo, and better nevertheless, Davone Bess, who had seven catches last week for 57 yards.

Tight End Anthony Fasano must bounce back from a lousy Week 1, that included two fumbles,Jared Odrick, when as the Fins were knocking on the Falcons’ door for a much needed score. This could be Fasano’s night for redemption.

The Dolphins also have the X-Factor in their “Wildcat” offense. Rookie QB Pat White attempted a deep pass out of that were createdation last week, but missed Ginn by a mile,Miami Dolphins, so it will be interesting to see if the Miami offense sticks with style as opposed to substance. The “Wildcat” will likely be used five to ten times, but I say, the less they need to use it,Davone Bess, the better off they will be.

This game is extremely important for Dolphins because starting 0-2 heading into a Week 3 match-up against the Chargers could bury the Fins’ performoff chances. It will be won by Miami if their rushing attack can move the chains and if Pennington does what he is capable of doing; efficiently manage the offense. Should this happen although the defense holds Manning to a good however not impressive game, there is a great chance for these teams to both be 1-1 after all is said and done. — JASON SARNEY.

If the 2010 season started today, the Dolphins would boast a secondary featuring second-year free safety Chris Clemons, a defensive line anchored by Paul Soliai, a linebacker corps starting Cameron Wake and Charlie Anderson, and a wide receiving corps starring Ted Ginn, Jr.

Luckily, Miami’s front office still has approximately three months to fill the holes that are plaguing its roster.

First and foremost,Jared Odrick, the Dolphins must speech their safety issues. If the team believed Clemons was capable of holding a starting spot, then they probably would not have pursued Antrel Rolle and Ryan Clark.

Now the team’s most likely options are free agents Darren Sharper and recently freed Ken Hamlin. Dolphins G.M. Jeff Ireland brought Hamlin into Dallas in 2007, so it will be interesting to see if he tries to reunite with him in Miami.

Although the Dolphins re-signed 35-year-old nose tackle Jason Ferguson to a one-year deal,Jake Long, he will miss the foremost eight games of 2010 although serving a suspension, leaving Soliai and Tony McDaniel to fight over a starting see.

humorh little talent remaining in the free-agency pool, Tennessee’s Dan Williams and North Carolina’s Cam Thomas might hear their names called when Miami picks during the NFL Draft. But, don’t createt that the Dolphins traded for the 6-7 McDaniel last off-season, so if he can reach the possibility the front office saw in him a year ago, he could make a case for a starting spot.

Needless to say, Miami’s wide receiving corps is in dire need of help. The team’s front office has made it clear that if it does not find the correct performer,Chad Pennington, it will proceed in 2010 with the same group of players and the hope that second-year receiver Patrick Turner can develop into a big-play receiver. But Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant might be on the board when the Dolphins pick at 12th total, and

Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant works out at his pro day in Texas.

if Miami can look past Bryant’s “character issues,” the Dolphins could find themselves a true No. 1 receiver.

While receiver appears to be the most newspapersing interest on Miami’s roster, outside linebacker might actually be the bigger hole. With the departure Joey Porter and Jason Taylor’s return seemingly unlikely, Wake and Anderson remain the only viable starting options on the roster.

Wake might have acquired a starting spot after his solid play last year, but Anderson has done little to prove that he can sustain a starting role. Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan is expected to be available when the Dolphins pick in the first round,Davone Bess, and he could very well be picked instead of Williams and Bryant.

– SCOTT ALTMAN
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