Overrated? You better believe it

By Kenneth Asuquo Sports Central Columnist

Over the last couple of seasons, there have been teams in the NFL that had what seemed to be a talented team, yet they fall short of their goal to get to the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, teams that were not as balanced as some other teams ended up winning it all.

The 2000 Baltimore Ravens won with their record-setting defense. The 2001 New England Patriots won with their all-for-one philosophy while being ranked 24th in defense. Then there were the 2002 Tampa Bay Bucs that were known just for their defense, until the Super Bowl, where their offense put on a show.

Last year, the 2003 Patriots followed suit with the same story. What they all had in common was being near the top of the league in points allowed. The last Super Bowl winning team to rank in the top-10 in offense and defense was the 1999 St. Louis Rams, ranking first in offense and sixth in defense.

With all that said, what about the teams that had all the talent, yet still do not make it? There are a few of them that have underachieved, but a select few that are overrated.

Actually there is one very overrated team.

The Miami Dolphins.

The Dolphins are a story in themselves. When December time comes, they are missing in action. Ever since Dave Wannstedt took over as coach of the Dolphins in 2000, Miami has underachieved with the high expectations. Over the last four years, despite a great defense, Miami only has one division title and two playoff appearances to show for it.

For the last few seasons, football experts have proclaimed the Dolphins as a Super Bowl team. Dolphin fans believed that every year they could win the Super Bowl with the talent that they had on defense. When the Dolphins traded for Ricky Williams, they thought that it was a cinch. The Dolphins would make it to the Super Bowl without a doubt.

Only they did not tell the rest of the NFL that, especially the Patriots.

Now critics and the most diehard of Dolphin fans alike are starting to buy into the fact that the Dolphins are not meant to win the Super Bowl with this team.

Example: This past season, the Dolphins played a Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys, who had the number one overall defense in the league. They proceeded to score 40 points against them. Ten days later in December against the Patriots, who were ranked seventh in defense, they scored nothing. Zip. Nada. A goose egg. They proceeded to miss the playoffs, despite a 10-6 record.

Dolphin fans have been saying in the offseason, "well, at least we will not have any cold weather games in December this season." That is interesting, considering they have to go to Denver and Baltimore in December, and both of those teams made the playoffs last season. Also they play division rival New England December 20th on Monday night at home.

If you have not noticed by now, Miami has problems in December every season. They tend to lose to the wrong teams at the wrong time, and there are many examples of it happening quite often.

After blowing an 11-point lead to the Patriots in the regular season finale back in 2002 that cost Miami the AFC East, Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas said it best: "We do not have a killer instinct."

Hmmm. Very interesting and quite funny, but can you blame him for saying that?

Looks like having eight or more wins since 1988 is not enough in Miami.

When a high marquee player says something like that, you know there has to be some truth to it. Despite adding Williams back in 2002 the year after they made the playoffs, Miami has failed to live up to expectations, while their division rival in the Patriots have proceeded to win two of the last three Super Bowls.

Despite all this, the most diehard of Dolphin fans continue to say that this season will be different. That is what the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs fans say year after year, and it is still the same story.

Despite all this, Wannstedt received a two-year contract extension, much to the dismay of Miami fans who can still recall the days of the '72 Dolphins when they dominated the NFL. With owner Wayne Huizenga calling new Dolphins QB A.J Feely the next Dan Marino, which is laughable, no wonder Dolphin fans are calling for the head of Wannstedt and the resignation of Huizenga.

No wonder they have the most predictable offense in the NFL.

No wonder their December record is 7-9 over the last four seasons.

As Glenn Frey said one time: "The heat is on."

Article courtesy of Sports Central.