Indeed.
I've been waiting for the Dolphins to break out since Marino retired in '99. It's been a painful process. Things are finally turning.
I think Adam Gase may be the most talented coach to enter the league since Bill Billichick. Everybody who has ever worked with him, from his assistant coaches all the way to Peyton Manning, raves about his ability to teach concepts and set culture.
It's process oriented guys like that, such as Billichick, Carroll, Cowher and Parcells who not only find success, but make it last. System guys never last too long, because process oriented guys adapt. Look at how many systems Brady and the Patriots have run over the course of his career.
So basically, I'm optimistic. How's that for a change?
I never put much stock in preseason schedule rankings. More than half the league fluctuates wildly year after year in terms of record, with only the likes of Pittsburgh and New England guaranteed success, and Cleveland and Jacksonville guaranteed failure.
Your 3rd most difficult schedule could very well end up 3rd easiest by year's end.