2006 season starts tonight

This is it! Tonight, we find out just how good the Dolphins are when they face the defending Super Bowl champs, albeit without their starting QB. Are the Dolphins really Super Bowl-worthy, as SI predicted, or was last season's 6-game win streak a mirage?

Personally, I think the Dolphins are playoff contenders, but I don't see them as being the best team in the AFC. All of the preseason hype is based on 2 words: Daunte Culpepper. I feel nervous knowing that the team's 2006 season is based on a QB coming back from major knee surgery. What if he gets hurt again?

With Ricky Williams suspended for the season, the running attack is weaker than it was last year. Say what you will about Ricky's flakiness, but the man can run the football. Also, the defense is pretty much at the level it was last year, except that anchors Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor are another year older.

Well, we won't know for sure until the games start. That's why they play them. At least it beats not having any football to watch!