Last Updated on July 30, 2010 12:10 am by Anthony Rome
Dolphins Season Odds
After adding Brandon Marshall this offseason, some believe that the Miami Dolphins can make a postseason run in 2010. Will they surprise?
The flashiest move the Fish made this offseason was acquiring Marshall from the Broncos via trade. But perhaps their best decision was to sign linebacker Karlos Dansby away from the Cardinals. Dansby has been one of the most productive all-around linebackers in the league over the last couple of years and should do very well in new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s scheme. Nolan was the mastermind behind Denver’s success on defense last season and should do well in Miami as well.
Among the Dolphins’ other signings this offseason was defensive end Charles Grant (Saints), guard Richie Incognito (Rams) and defensive end Marques Douglas (Jets). Jason Taylor (Jets), Joey Porter (Cardinals), Akin Ayodele (Broncos) and Gibril Wilson (Bengals) were among Miami’s losses from last season.
Heading into April’s draft, the Dolphins were focused on adding defensive line, linebacker, safety and receiver. In Round 1, Miami selected Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick with the 28th pick and in the second, the Dolphins selected another defensive lineman in Utah’s Koa Misi. Offensive tackle John Jerry of Ole Miss was the team’s pick in the third and Iowa linebacker A.J. Edds in the fourth.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com, the Dolphins are currently 30/1 to win the 2011 Super Bowl and 16/1 to win the AFC. They’re also +325 on the money line to win the AFC East Division and have an over/under win total of 8.5 games this season.
The Dolphins’ offense lacked explosion last year, so they went out and traded for Marshall in the offseason. While he has certainly proven to be a headache off the field, there’s no question that he’s a playmaker on it. He’ll give Chad Henne (or Chad Pennington, depending on which quarterback emerges as the start in preseason) a legitimate No. 1 wideout to go along with the running duo of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. In fact, Marshall should make the entire Miami offense better.
Defensively, Nolan was a huge coup, as was Dansby. He’ll join Channing Crowder and Cameron Wake to form a solid linebacker corps, and the young corners of Sean Smith and Vonte Davis offer a ton of upside as well. If the defense overachieves in some areas, the Dolphins can go far in 2010.
That said, the only problem is that they play in a tough defense – one that also features the Patriots and Jets. The Dolphins will have their work cut out for them this season, but they’ve improved dramatically from last year and should contend for a postseason berth if they can stay healthy.
2011 Super Bowl Odds: Miami Dolphins 30/1
Odds to win AFC: Miami Dolphins 16/1
Odds to win AFC East: Miami Dolphins +325
2010 NFL Season Win Totals: Miami Dolphins O/U 8.5
Posted: 7/30/10 12:05AM ET