Well, times are a-
The Jaguars and Bucs have been terrible for a long time, but this isn't about the past (even though the Bucs do have the most recent title of the three). This is about the future — and the Dolphins obviously have the worst prospects of Florida's pro football franchises.
Let's start with the quarterbacks. Despite heading into his fifth season, the Dolphins know less about their QB than the Bucs and Jags know about young gunslingers Jameis Winston and Blake Bortles. And Ryan Tannehill is much more expensive than either of the other two.
Though neither Winston or Bortles has been perfect, they have flashed more of an ability to be great in spite of their teams' shortcomings in their first seasons than Tannehill has in his four. Tannehill has a chance to change the narrative about himself this season under new coach Adam Gase, but if not this season, when? Maybe not with the Dolphins. Maybe never.
Some observers will point to the fact that Tannehill's contract has numerous escape hatches if the light doesn't turn on this season — but if the Dolphins were to capitalize on them and pull the parachute, where does that leave them? There is a lot of pressure on Tannehill to prove he is not only better than the two young quarterbacks flashing big-time talents in state, but also capable of leading a team to a championship at all.
Turning to the overall lineup, it's hard to dispute that the Jaguars have gotten better this
The Jaguars have lured defensive lineman Malik Jackson away from Denver and running back Chris Ivory away from the Jets and then solidified their secondary when they acquired Cleveland’s Tashaun Gipson and the Giants’ Prince Amukamara, both capable cornerbacks. The Dolphins have underwhelmed thus far in free agency. The new players they have acquired would need to work out perfectly to even match the guys the team has lost this off-season. So far, it seems as if a 6-10 team has gotten worse.
The Bucs, meanwhile, have retained their franchise running back, added depth to their defensive line in
It might be time to admit the truth: The Miami Dolphin aren't the cream of the crop of Florida NFL teams anymore.