ESPN Slots Dolphins 11th in Ultimate Power Rankings

SportsCenter managed to sneak in a couple minutes of NFL talk, despite the hoopla and hype that surrounds LeBron James' decision tonight. ESPN continued their Ultimate NFL Power Rankings, by slotting the 9-16 teams. And wouldn't you know it, ESPN is actually giving the Dolphins a little respect. Well, whoever did the rankings, at least.

The Dolphins were ranked 11th, two spots behind the Patriots, and an unknown amount of spots behind the Jets, due to the top eight teams not being revealed yet. I have to say, despite still being labeled the division's third best team, I was pleasantly surprised by how high they were ranked. ESPN has been ranting and raving about the Jets and Pats being the class of the division, but not mentioning the Dolphins in that mix. Ranking them 11th however, obviously puts them right in the thick of things.

Mike Golic was quick to say not so fast, though. He mentioned that the Dolphins were getting too much respect for his liking, because Chad Henne is an unproven quarterback. Which is a respectable argument, but not consistent with his feelings about the Jets. Golic has previously picked the Jets to win the AFC East, and has bought into them being a legitimate Super Bowl contender, despite having an even more unproven quarterback than Henne, in Mark Sanchez.