Miami Dolphins have a new level of excitement

Just like the other 32 NFL teams entering training camp, the Miami Dolphins believe they have the talent to become contenders. Unlike previous seasons, the team displayed a new level of confidence during the first practice of training camp on Thursday morning.

Miami hasn’t made the playoffs since 2008. But with all the changes to the team’s roster, owner Stephen Ross expects big things from the Dolphins in 2015.

“We’ve done an awful lot, Ross said. “You can look at every single area. We’ve made changes. We’ve thought outside the box. We’re looking to be the best in class. You can see the players that we’ve attracted, what they expect and you put it all together, that’s what makes winning teams.”

The Dolphins biggest signing of the offseason was defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The team signed him to a six-year, $114 million contract.

Miami acquired Suh to help improve a Dolphins defense that was a top five unit in the NFL last November, but faded in December. Suh knows it is early, but he believes the Dolphins defensive line can be special.

“We look great on paper and it is always nice to look good on paper, but at the end of the day it is about what you do in those 16 games and obviously going into the playoffs hopefully but we have a lot of work ahead of ourselves,” Suh said. “It is just about going through the process and making sure you take care of business and mold as a unit. Once you start making plays and start to create that comradery and making plays off each other that is when you have a chance to become good.”

When head coach Joe Philbin was hired in 2012, many fans were hoping he was the person to help lead the Dolphins back to the playoffs, but it hasn’t yet. In his three seasons at the helm, Philbin has finished 7-9, 8-8 and 8-8 last season without any postseason appearances. While Philbin hasn’t lived up to expectations, his goal of a championship hasn’t changed.

“I told Steve (Stephen Ross, Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner) when I interviewed that I wanted a build a team that consistently competed for and won championships,” said Philbin. “That’s why we do what we do and that’s why they make the sacrifices they make. Everybody in this organization does the same. There is the AFC East Championship, there is the AFC Championship, and there is the Super Bowl Championship. Nothing has been decided. Those to me are really destinations, the Super Bowl is a destination, it’s not necessarily a goal. That’s why we invest and pour our hearts and souls into this stuff, to compete for championships.”

On paper, Miami has improved on both sides of the ball. The team added a ton of weapons including first round pick DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills and tight end Jordan Cameron. They also got better on the defense with Suh, C.J. Mosley and second-round pick Jordan Phillips, so expectations are very high.

With New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady possibly suspended for the first four games of the season, this is best chance the Dolphins have had to win the AFC East in years. Both the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets improved, but both have quarterback questions to address.

While attitude doesn’t win games, it appears the Dolphins have a new confidence about themselves. Now if that can translate to wins and an AFC East division title, that has yet to be determined.

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