When training camp opened, the Dolphins didn't have a proven quarterback; they had one running back coming off knee surgery and another with six carries in the past three seasons who was one strike (or puff) away from another suspension; the premier defender was dancing in Hollywood instead of working out in Davie; and a coach whose named sounded like a certain TV mafia don who didn't look at his questioners in the face or while wearing dark sunglasses inside or outside.
But they did have Bill Parcells, the czar of transforming moribund franchises into playoff contenders within two years of taking the reins, watching every practice, needling every player and evaluating everyone on the field as well as those still on the market.
"I'm trying to serve as a guidance...