(by David Grotefend) Ask yourself an honest question… Do the Dolphins have a realistic chance in 2009? Take the first thing that pops into your head. No way? I have to tell you, I am starting to believe that we can make a legitimate push THIS season. Earlier this camp I said I thought we’d be 10-6 and a #5 WC or so. I still believe that is the more likely scenario than either a deep playoff run OR a 7or 8 win regression.

However, what if we are improved from last season (not a stretch in the minds of any but the most avid anti-Dolphin fans)? We won games last year because we wanted it more. We won games last year against teams that weren’t as good a team as we were, despite the talent level.

It still comes down to beating the teams ahead of you.

We play Indianapolis in the home opener. That’s a playoff-caliber team. If we beat them, where are we at?

We play San Diego right after that. They’re the preseason favorite to win the AFCW. If we beat them, where are we at?

It is likely that the first three games we play we will be underdogs (@Atlanta, Indianapolis, @San Diego), and probably slight favorites with the next two before the bye (Buffalo and New York J. in Miami).

Most think we’ll be something like 2-3 heading in to the week off.

Okay, but what if we’re not? What if we are 4-1? What if we have a solid group that continues to get better? We were 2-4 at one point, and won nine of the next ten.

I look at who we must defeat.

The Patriots. The Steelers. The Colts. The Chargers. All on our schedule, and all playoff caliber teams. That is five games counting the seasonal series with NE. Can we go 3-2 against them? I believe we can. I believe we will.

I think we have a realistic shot at winning the Division again. I believe we have a realisic shot at advancing in the playoffs.

We have one of the deepest stables of RB wealth in the league. I can’t wait to see what Ronnie and Ricky can do this season.

We are going to play smart football, not giving up a lot of penalties or committing a lot of turnovers. Penny out of the gate has a 109 QB rating…nothing fancy, just consistent smart football and success.

Our starting rush defense has looked very stout except for one sensational play by a very talented Panther. Otherwise that one play, we shut down two of the best backs in football, MJ-D (Jax) and DW (Car).

Our pass rush has been able to generate consistent pressure. I am drooling over seeing us sending waves of QB-destruction in the form of Porter, Taylor and Wake.

I think we are a legitimate contender this year.

Are we the most talented team? No, not on paper. However, that label has been applied to San Diego for several years now; it feels like since the new millenium began analysts have said that. Guess what? We’ve won all five games since 2000 that we’ve faced San Diego. No one on the planet would say we have been more talented in that time.

What we have is a team that is united in attitude and well-conditioned. Everyone works their a$$ off, and everyone wants to win.

By the time we get rolling, we are going to be tough to beat. I am beginning to think that we will be from the start.