As the Miami Dolphins football team battles through the dog days of summer, you can be sure that the general Nick Saban is planting the seed about focus and the team concept rather than personal achievements and awards.

This past week Saban was invited to a dinner that included President Bush and a host of former Dolphins including Dan Marino. Saban was polite in suggesting that his schedule was far too busy and that he has a major project on his hands which would be preparing his team for a brutal NFL season.

If you are a Dolphin fan then this is just the type of attitude you want to hear resonating from the Dolphins training camp as this suggests that leadership is in place. Far too many times during this off-season and even this past week the reports out of several NFL cities is negative propaganda about player's arrests, contract squabbles and the personal agendas of the players.

Even more impressive then Saban's rejection of the White House was the news that defensive end Jason Taylor had also been invited, but decided that the dinner conflicted with team meetings being held that same night. Incidentally, Taylor is married to All-Pro linebacker Zack Thomas's sister and the couple, who have three children, are headed to divorce court, which could create some tension on the squad.

Once again, Coach Saban was one step ahead of a potential problem and called Taylor and Thomas into his office to make sure that there were no issues that were going to affect the team's performance.

The Dolphins are listed as 12-5 odds to win the AFC East as the linemakers once again have Bellichick's Patriots the huge favorites. I love the addition of Daunte Culpepper to the team, as this guy provides a threat as both a passer and a runner. Second year back Ronnie Brown can fly and I look for huge things from rookie receiver out of Arizona State Derek Hagan.

The NFL season opens September 7th when the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers host the Dolphins. As popular as the Dolphins are, you know the bettors will side with the home side at Heinz Field.

Start the season off with a bang by playing the Dolphins as a live dog!

Bob Acton

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