Miami’s 2004 season may have ended long before even the opening kickoff of first game. RB Ricky Williams’ decision to leave football abruptly in the offseason frankly undermined any plans or aspirations the Dolphins may have had going into the season. StatFox took the news particularly hard as we felt that the organization’s moves had put them in a position to be a legitimate contender in 2004. Without Williams, the team floundered, enduring its worst season in nearly 20 years. The offense couldn’t run the ball, and that made life for conservative QB’s Jay Fiedler and newcomer A.J. Feely extremely difficult. When the smoke had finally settled, Miami won just four times and finished an astounding 10 games behind New England in the division. The stats don’t lie either as Miami dropped to 31st in the league on offensive and defensive rushing, and dead last in turnovers.

Head Coach Dave Wannstedt had enough by week nine, as he resigned after a 1-8 start. Defensive Coordinator turned Interim Coach Jim Bates was left holding the bag and finished with a respectable 3-4 stretch, including a win over world champion New England. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, Bates departed for Green Bay when Nick Saban was named the new head-man here. Saban comes from a highly successful college background, but hasn’t served in his current position at the pro level. He inherits a team that has undergone a wealth of personnel changes. The most notable names brought in were DL Kevin Carter and DE Vonnie Holiday via free agency, and RB Ronnie Brown of Auburn via the first round of the draft.

The Williams decision was quite a blow to a franchise that had not endured a losing since 1988. Quite frankly, Miami was too shell-shocked to even prepare itself fully for the 2004 campaign. That won’t be the case in 2005 as Saban has burned the midnight oil since arriving on the scene. The Dolphins fell so far though a year ago and when combined with the massive personnel changeover, its hard to see this group really making a push into contention.

2005 Key Information

Power Rating: 17(24 of 32)

2005 Schedule Rating: (2nd toughest of 32)

2004:(SU 4-12)(ATS 7-9)

L3 years:(SU 23-25)(ATS 23-24-1)

Coach Nick Saban :1st Season

Trends by month

September

Dolphins are 15-2 ATS vs. AFC West (9/11-plus 3 games later)

Jets are 11-3-1 at home against Miami (9-18)

Off a SU and ATS win, Miami is 1-10 UNDER in September

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October

Miami is 3-13 ATS after a bye (10/9)

Dolphins are 8-2 ATS as home dog after two straight losses (10/23?)

Kansas City is 0-4-1 ATS when visiting South Florida (10/30)

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November

Fish are 13-28 against good rushing teams, averaging 130 YPG (11/6?)

Despite winning 3 of 4 Super Bowls, New England is 1-6 ATS in Dolphins Stadium. (11/13)

Dolphins 5-1 ATS against Al Davis's Raiders (11/27)

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December

Coach Saban's new team 5-1 and 4-0 away ATS vs. San Diego (12/11)

Miami is 5-25-1 ATS as favorite in the L2 games of the year. (12/24)

Miami is 3-14 ATS in last road game (1/1)

Top Teaser Angle:

Miami is 20-0 with 6-point teaser off road blowout loss of 14> points

Top Money Line Angle:

Fish are 15-1 (+12.35 units) against ML in home games vs. AFC West (9/11 & 10/23)

Top Totals Angle:

27-9 UNDER in home games where the line is +3/-3.

Pre-Season O/U wins:

OVER 6 (@www.BetCris.com)

Fantasy Player Must: Randy McMichael

Fantasy Player Bust: Miami QB's