5 Questions With Dolphins Gab on the Steelers Opposition for Sunday

We caught up with Brant Houghton, editor of Dolphins Gab, and asked him for some thoughts on the Dolphins as we enter the last game of the regular season Sunday:

1. How big was the loss last week, do you think there will be any lingering hangover basically being out of the playoff race after the loss?

The Dolphins are not a team where there should be any hangover. They are one of the strongest teams I have seen this decade in terms of mental toughness. Last weeks 1st half was a fluke, and to be honest, it happens to every team once in awhile. The loss last week was big, but not crippling for the Dolphins. They are not a team that would have contended for the Super Bowl, so in my mind, this loss was good for them to get back to the drawing board, and go into this week looking to capitalize on some things, and make some plays to go into the off-season with a good outlook on what they can expect for next season.

2. How has Chad Henne done taking over for Chad Pennington at QB? Is he the teams QB for the future?

As far as I’m concerned, the Dolphins would not even be in any sort of playoff race right now if it were not for Chad Henne. Sure Henne has cost the Dolphins some games, but Henne gives the Dolphins the high scoring offensive threat to keep up with some of the teams that the Dolphins have faced so far this season. He is without a doubt in my mind the quarterback of the Dolphins future, and I will be shell-shocked if the Dolphins draft another quarterback in the early rounds of the draft again this year.

3. It’s been a strange season for Joey Porter, looking at his numbers he has just one sack in the past four games, will be around in 2010? What is your take on his year after the big season in 2008?

I think “Peezy” as he calls himself, will be back next season. In fact, I think everybody on our linebacking core will be back next year. The Dolphins will be looking to add some fresh faces to this staff, but I think Porter will be back for one more year, as will Jason Taylor as well. Porter has had a rough year, but that can be attributed to an injury riddled season. I think he will have a chip on his shoulder for next year, and this is why the Dolphins will bring him back. He still has another double-digit sack season in him, and the Dolphins plan on capitalizing off that.

4. What will be the biggest offseason need for the Dolphins?

Hands down the biggest off-season need for the Dolphins is a true #1 receiver. A receiver who is a physical, and downfield threat. We need a guy who can go up for the ball and come down with it. We need somebody that is willing to stretch the field, and go over the middle to get us the first downs. Whether the Dolphins will try for Dez Bryant in the draft, or go after somebody in free agency, that is still unknown, but I would be surprised if the Dolphins did not go after a big time receiver in the off-season.

5. What do you think about this weeks game? Final score?

I think this weeks game will come down to how much pressure each team gets on the quarterback. If Troy Polamalu is out for the game, then I think that the Dolphins coaching staff will allow Chad Henne to throw the ball 50-60 times again this week. The Dolphins will have to do two things to win this game though. Run the ball well, and get Ben Roethliberger on the ground at all costs. If they can shake Big Ben, and at the same time, put up some points, then I think the Dolphins win this game in yet another shootout, 38-35.