| The year was 1972 when the Miami Dolphins set | | | | Shawn Murphy from Utah, running back Jalen Parmele |
| multiple records and became, arguably, the greatest | | | | from Toledo, guard Donald Thomas from Connecticut, |
| team in professional football's history. They completed | | | | defensive end Lionel Dotson from Arizona, and running |
| the first perfect season by winning 14 regular games, | | | | back Lex Hilliard from Montana. |
| two play off games and Super Bowl VII. They also | | | | So far four other draft picks have been signed to |
| went on to be victorious at Super Bowl VIII, though | | | | deals: Jalen Parmele, Lex Hilliard, Lionel Dotson and |
| throughout the next two or three decades they would | | | | Donald Thomas. After the draft, the team signed 18 |
| never taste Super Bowl glory again. This season the | | | | undrafted free agents including Scorpio Babers, |
| Miami Dolphins hope to make its 39th season (43rd | | | | Davone Bess, Titus Brown, Michael Byrne, Dan |
| overall) the most successful yet. There have already | | | | Carpenter, Jayson Foster, Dan Gore, Daren Heerspink, |
| been shakeups in management (as this is Bill Parcells | | | | Aaron Lane, Selwyn Lymon, Matthew Mulligan, Kelly |
| first season as Executive Vice President of Football | | | | Poppinga, Marcel Reece, Kory Robertson, Keith |
| Operations, Jeff Ireland as General Manager and Tony | | | | Saunders, Matt Spanos, Anthony Toribio and Justin |
| Sparano as Head Coach. This is not surprising, | | | | Wynn. However, time passes quickly when millions of |
| considering that in 2007 the Dolphins earned the worst | | | | dollars are on the line and when millions of Miami fans |
| record in the league with a 1-15 win-loss sheet. | | | | grow restless. The Dolphins have already released |
| On the plus side, this did earn the Dolphins' first pick in | | | | Aaron Lane and Marcel Reece-in fact that they even |
| the 2008 NFL Draft. Will the Miami Dolphins be | | | | didn't last a week playing for 2007's worst team. |
| successful? It's time to analyze the draft picks to see | | | | Fan reaction to the Dolphins has ranged from critical to |
| just how deep these dolphins hope to swim this | | | | mixed. Nobody argues that Jake Long was a good |
| season. The Dolphins had been negotiating with | | | | signing and that most of the draft picks were sensible |
| Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long since before the | | | | and desperately in need to restructure the Dolphins. |
| draft occurred. It took him a while to sign, but on April | | | | However, when it comes to predicting victory experts |
| 22 the team finally secured him to a five year $57.75 | | | | still believe the Dolphins need to rebuild over time. Plus, |
| million dollar contract with $30 million guaranteed. They | | | | they are in danger of losing Jason Taylor who is |
| also assured Long they would take him first in the | | | | juggling his NFL career with an acting gig and also |
| draft. (It's about pride, man!) | | | | demanding to be traded. Even Miami's biggest fans |
| Besides Long, the Dolphins scored some other notable | | | | admit that without Taylor the team's success in 2008 |
| signings. There was defensive end Phillip Merling of | | | | will be a long shot. However, the 2008 Miami Dolphins |
| Clemson, quarterback Chad Henne from Michigan, | | | | get ready to play hard, anxious to reclaim the glory |
| defensive end Kendall Langford from Hampton, guard | | | | days of the 70s. |