1What's the view of the Dolphins among prominent national voices? There's a bit of skepticism, but more who say they will be good again, though not as good as New England. CBS' Phil Simms, NBC's Cris Collinsworth and Sirius Radio's John Madden predict Miami will be the AFC East's clear-cut No. 2 team.

``I don't know if anyone will pick New England second in that division, but I watched Miami in preseason and they've actually gotten tougher,'' Simms said, noting Chad Pennington is playing as well as last year. ``There is a certain toughness in the way they play and the way they're coached. Even with their schedule, they'll be a player in the NFL all year.''

Said Madden: ``New England is the class of that division. But I saw Miami [in August] and they are really solid. A lot of teams don't have the fundamentals, but the Dolphins look like they do. The Jets and Bills will struggle.''

Other feedback: ESPN's Jon Gruden (``It's hard to duplicate 11-5 but it wouldn't surprise me. Very good team.''); ESPN's Keyshawn Johnson (``11-5 or 10-6''); ESPN's Cris Carter (``Are they are a playoff team? They are. They have one of the best young offensive lines. Defensively, they will be better than people think''); and Fox's Troy Aikman (``Capable of making it to postseason'').

But CBS' Bill Cowher believes teams will be prepared for the Wildcat and said, ``Miami could be in for a tough year.'' ESPN's Steve Young cautioned: ``The walk through the AFC East will not be nearly as comfortable.'' And CBS' Dan Marino said this summer the Dolphins ``need to fill a few more holes. When you get in the playoffs, you need to have guys that make more plays.''

CHATTER

• Collinsworth admiringly calls Pennington ``the least impressive great player in the league'' and said ``my brain exploded'' when he thought about using Pennington and Pat White together in the Wildcat, which he expects. ``What if you line them up where you could snap it to either one? I would run the two quarterback offense [occasionally],'' he said. ``You're taking away practice time from opponents because you don't know what the crazy people in Miami will do.''

• High-strung cornerback Vontae Davis ``needs to relax'' and ``not force things,'' said receiver Davone Bess, adding Davis' progress hinges ``a lot on him simmering down and letting the game come to him.'' That hasn't been an issue with Sean Smith.

• Brian Hartline said Bill Parcells approached and told him, ``Your goal should be to start.'' And Hartline admits disappointment he did not win the job opposite Ted Ginn Jr. But he said he expects to play Sunday in a ``good little rotation. I can find zones and get deep on people.'' FYI: Ohio State coach Jim Tressel sent goody bags to former players Hartline and Ginn, with good luck notes, shirts, golf towels, etc.

• When extra defensive backs are inserted on third-down passing situations, Channing Crowder said he, Joey Porter, Jason Taylor, Randy Starks and Phillip Merling often figure to be in the game as pass rushers, with Charlie Anderson also in the equation. But Cameron Wake, Quentin Moses, Lionel Dotson, Tony McDaniel and starter Kendall Langford give coach Tony Sparano interesting options. The Dolphins envision Merling becoming a very good pass rusher. Crowder said the Dolphins haven't yet used a package they have with Taylor, Porter and Wake playing together.

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