Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

DAVIE — The Dolphins are better than their nickel-and-dime record – 5-10 – indicates.

Maybe a lot better.

Maybe good enough to expect improvement sufficient to make the playoffs next season even if they don’t hire a big-time coach and even if Matt Moore remains the starting quarterback.

It wouldn’t seem a stretch considering Miami has lost two games by one point and three others by three points this season while four times winning by double-digit margins. The Dolphins have won three times by at least 20 points, but never have they lost by that many.

And it’s difficult to comprehend how a team that has a 1,000-yard runner (Reggie Bush) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Brandon Marshall) in the same season for the first time in franchise history has managed to lose twice as often as it has won.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

There are lies, damned lies and statistics.

But there’s also the fact that the Dolphins made a slew of worthwhile roster additions this season: Kevin Burnett, Bush, Charles Clay, Clyde Gates, Moore, Mike Pouncey, Jason Taylor and Daniel Thomas to list them alphabetically.

And that haul came a year after Miami added Karlos Dansby, Richie Incognito, Marshall, Koa Misi and Jared Odrick (who was injured almost all of last season).

Vontae Davis, Brian Hartline, Sean Smith, Taylor and Cameron Wake all came aboard before the 2009 season. Davone Bess, Dan Carpenter, Anthony Fasano, Jake Long and Randy Starks were 2008 newcomers.

The point is that significant personnel work has been accomplished, and it’s reasonable to assume the benefits should present themselves soon.

“I don’t see why not,” Bush said during a break in preparations for Sunday’s season finale against the New York Jets at Sun Life Stadium. “I think we’re closer to being a good team than the one that went 0-7 to start the season.”

That’s almost certainly true.

But the Dolphins still need to make what Marshall called the “momentum” of recovery translate into a good start next season. Miami started 2-2 last season but in the previous six years (counting backward) started 0-3, 2-4, 0-13, 1-6, 3-7 and 0-6.

“It took us time to jell, especially on offense,” Bush said of this campaign. “I don’t think that will be the case next season.”

He’s probably correct, although, a new coach likely will replace Todd Bowles, who holds the job on an interim basis in place of Tony Sparano, who was fired Dec. 12. A new man in charge, which also could mean a change of offensive coordinators, might sabotage whatever continuity has been established.

“It’s up to us as players to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Bush said.

The Dolphins’ problems this season have been rooted in an inability to finish. They have been outscored by more than double (116-55) in fourth quarters and overtime, which is an astonishing figure for a team that has outscored its opponents overall.

Also, there has been every coach’s lament when it comes to turnovers. The Dolphins have lost all seven games in which they’ve had more giveaways than takeaways.

Miami is about to complete its third consecutive losing season, which puts it in the miserable company of only Buffalo and Cleveland in the AFC.

Who’ll be the new coach remains anybody’s guess.

Moore likely will retain the starting quarterback job.

No matter what occurs in either case, though, the Dolphins don’t figure to be nickel-and-dime bad at this stage of next season. The optimistic view is that they might even be dime-and-nickel good.

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Dolphins didn’t get embarrassed in Saturday’s 27-24 loss to New England the way they did back in Week 1. They didn’t give up 622 yards of total offense, 517 passing yards to Tom Brady or any 99-yard touchdowns, instead playing the AFC-leading Patriots down to the final gun.

But that doesn’t make Saturday’s defeat any easier to take.

“A loss is a loss is a loss, always,” receiver Brian Hartline said. “We’re never proud about losing.”

The Dolphins (5-10) have come a long way since that early September beat-down by the Patriots and the subsequent seven-game losing streak. They have won five of their last eight games, developed a top-five defense and found their groove on offense behind Matt Moore, Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall.

And they almost pulled off an upset at Gillette Stadium, taking a 17-0 lead into halftime before wilting in the second half.

Left guard Richie Incognito said he’s proud of the way his teammates didn’t give up on the season after the 0-7 start.

He is also proud of his teammates for continuing to fight when they trailed 27-17 late in the fourth quarter Sunday. Moore led an 80-yard touchdown drive to bring the Dolphins within three points.

“Just speaks to the character of the men in this room,” Incognito said. “We don’t quit, we just fight.

“We’ve come a long way, we found an identity offensively, and we came up here and gave a hard-fought battle.”

Saturday’s game was a good measuring stick for the progress the Dolphins have made over the past 15 weeks – and the last two years.

The Patriots won both games in 2010 by a combined score of 79-21.

But many players couldn’t focus on any of the positives after the game. The Dolphins reached double-digit losses for the first time since 2007 and only the fifth time since 1970.

“In my mind, I’m like (forget) the measuring stick,” said cornerback Will Allen, who had three tackles. “I’m out here trying to win ballgames. I’m not measuring anything.”

As good as the Dolphins were in the first half, grabbing a 17-0 lead on two Moore touchdown passes while sacking Tom Brady four times and holding him to 87 yards passing, they were equally as bad in the second half.

Moore fumbled a snap and threw an interception in the third quarter, the Dolphins gained just 126 total yards in the half and Brady threw for 217 yards while leading the Patriots to 27 consecutive points.

“Played well,” Bush said, “just not for four quarters.”

Marshall, who had seven catches for 156 yards and a team-high sixth touchdown catch of the season, chalked up the loss to “immaturity, stupid mistakes, lack of execution.”

“You can’t do that against a Patriot team like that,” Marshall said. “It’s frustrating, but the whole season is frustrating.”

Still, the Dolphins looked nothing Saturday like the team that lost 38-24 to the Patriots in Week 1.

Moore, who sat on the bench that game in favor of Chad Henne, has thrown for 14 touchdowns with only three interceptions in the past eight games.

Marshall has developed into a bigger touchdown threat, with four in the last five games, and his 1,177 receiving yards this season are the fifth most in Dolphins history.

Bush, too, has been a revelation, cracking the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career.

Saturday’s game (113 yards) was his fourth straight 100-yard game, and he carried the ball 20-plus times for the third time in four games. In fact, Bush and Marshall became the first receiver-running back duo in team history to each crack the 1,000-yard mark.

Marshall reflected on the frustrating season and said he’s trying to “embrace the journey.”

“It’s unfortunate for the amount of work that we put in, it’s unfortunate to the fans, but that’s life,” he said.

“The journey was rough this year, (but) if you focus too much on the destination, you’ll be disappointed.

“You’ve got to embrace the journey and grow, and that’s what this year was about, was growing and building off of it.”

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Dolphins didn’t get embarrassed in Saturday’s 27-24 loss to New England the way they did back in Week 1. They didn’t give up 622 yards of total offense, 517 passing yards to Tom Brady or any 99-yard touchdowns, instead playing the AFC-leading Patriots down to the final gun.

But that doesn’t make Saturday’s defeat any easier to take.

“A loss is a loss is a loss, always,” receiver Brian Hartline said. “We’re never proud about losing.”

The Dolphins (5-10) have come a long way since that early September beat-down by the Patriots and the subsequent seven-game losing streak. They have won five of their last eight games, developed a top-five defense and found their groove on offense behind Matt Moore, Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall.

And they almost pulled off an upset at Gillette Stadium, taking a 17-0 lead into halftime before wilting in the second half.

Left guard Richie Incognito said he’s proud of the way his teammates didn’t give up on the season after the 0-7 start.

He is also proud of his teammates for continuing to fight when they trailed 27-17 late in the fourth quarter Sunday. Moore led an 80-yard touchdown drive to bring the Dolphins within three points.

“Just speaks to the character of the men in this room,” Incognito said. “We don’t quit, we just fight.

“We’ve come a long way, we found an identity offensively, and we came up here and gave a hard-fought battle.”

Saturday’s game was a good measuring stick for the progress the Dolphins have made over the past 15 weeks – and the last two years.

The Patriots won both games in 2010 by a combined score of 79-21.

But many players couldn’t focus on any of the positives after the game. The Dolphins reached double-digit losses for the first time since 2007 and only the fifth time since 1970.

“In my mind, I’m like (forget) the measuring stick,” said cornerback Will Allen, who had three tackles. “I’m out here trying to win ballgames. I’m not measuring anything.”

As good as the Dolphins were in the first half, grabbing a 17-0 lead on two Moore touchdown passes while sacking Tom Brady four times and holding him to 87 yards passing, they were equally as bad in the second half.

Moore fumbled a snap and threw an interception in the third quarter, the Dolphins gained just 126 total yards in the half and Brady threw for 217 yards while leading the Patriots to 27 consecutive points.

“Played well,” Bush said, “just not for four quarters.”

Marshall, who had seven catches for 156 yards and a team-high sixth touchdown catch of the season, chalked up the loss to “immaturity, stupid mistakes, lack of execution.”

“You can’t do that against a Patriot team like that,” Marshall said. “It’s frustrating, but the whole season is frustrating.”

Still, the Dolphins looked nothing Saturday like the team that lost 38-24 to the Patriots in Week 1.

Moore, who sat on the bench that game in favor of Chad Henne, has thrown for 14 touchdowns with only three interceptions in the past eight games.

Marshall has developed into a bigger touchdown threat, with four in the last five games, and his 1,177 receiving yards this season are the fifth most in Dolphins history.

Bush, too, has been a revelation, cracking the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career.

Saturday’s game (113 yards) was his fourth straight 100-yard game, and he carried the ball 20-plus times for the third time in four games. In fact, Bush and Marshall became the first receiver-running back duo in team history to each crack the 1,000-yard mark.

Marshall reflected on the frustrating season and said he’s trying to “embrace the journey.”

“It’s unfortunate for the amount of work that we put in, it’s unfortunate to the fans, but that’s life,” he said.

“The journey was rough this year, (but) if you focus too much on the destination, you’ll be disappointed.

“You’ve got to embrace the journey and grow, and that’s what this year was about, was growing and building off of it.”

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Dolphins didn’t get embarrassed in Saturday’s 27-24 loss to New England the way they did back in Week 1. They didn’t give up 622 yards of total offense, 517 passing yards to Tom Brady or any 99-yard touchdowns, instead playing the AFC-leading Patriots down to the final gun.

But that doesn’t make Saturday’s defeat any easier to take.

“A loss is a loss is a loss, always,” receiver Brian Hartline said. “We’re never proud about losing.”

The Dolphins (5-10) have come a long way since that early September beat-down by the Patriots and the subsequent seven-game losing streak. They have won five of their last eight games, developed a top-five defense and found their groove on offense behind Matt Moore, Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall.

And they almost pulled off an upset at Gillette Stadium, taking a 17-0 lead into halftime before wilting in the second half.

Left guard Richie Incognito said he’s proud of the way his teammates didn’t give up on the season after the 0-7 start.

He is also proud of his teammates for continuing to fight when they trailed 27-17 late in the fourth quarter Sunday. Moore led an 80-yard touchdown drive to bring the Dolphins within three points.

“Just speaks to the character of the men in this room,” Incognito said. “We don’t quit, we just fight.

“We’ve come a long way, we found an identity offensively, and we came up here and gave a hard-fought battle.”

Saturday’s game was a good measuring stick for the progress the Dolphins have made over the past 15 weeks – and the last two years.

The Patriots won both games in 2010 by a combined score of 79-21.

But many players couldn’t focus on any of the positives after the game. The Dolphins reached double-digit losses for the first time since 2007 and only the fifth time since 1970.

“In my mind, I’m like (forget) the measuring stick,” said cornerback Will Allen, who had three tackles. “I’m out here trying to win ballgames. I’m not measuring anything.”

As good as the Dolphins were in the first half, grabbing a 17-0 lead on two Moore touchdown passes while sacking Tom Brady four times and holding him to 87 yards passing, they were equally as bad in the second half.

Moore fumbled a snap and threw an interception in the third quarter, the Dolphins gained just 126 total yards in the half and Brady threw for 217 yards while leading the Patriots to 27 consecutive points.

“Played well,” Bush said, “just not for four quarters.”

Marshall, who had seven catches for 156 yards and a team-high sixth touchdown catch of the season, chalked up the loss to “immaturity, stupid mistakes, lack of execution.”

“You can’t do that against a Patriot team like that,” Marshall said. “It’s frustrating, but the whole season is frustrating.”

Still, the Dolphins looked nothing Saturday like the team that lost 38-24 to the Patriots in Week 1.

Moore, who sat on the bench that game in favor of Chad Henne, has thrown for 14 touchdowns with only three interceptions in the past eight games.

Marshall has developed into a bigger touchdown threat, with four in the last five games, and his 1,177 receiving yards this season are the fifth most in Dolphins history.

Bush, too, has been a revelation, cracking the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career.

Saturday’s game (113 yards) was his fourth straight 100-yard game, and he carried the ball 20-plus times for the third time in four games. In fact, Bush and Marshall became the first receiver-running back duo in team history to each crack the 1,000-yard mark.

Marshall reflected on the frustrating season and said he’s trying to “embrace the journey.”

“It’s unfortunate for the amount of work that we put in, it’s unfortunate to the fans, but that’s life,” he said.

“The journey was rough this year, (but) if you focus too much on the destination, you’ll be disappointed.

“You’ve got to embrace the journey and grow, and that’s what this year was about, was growing and building off of it.”

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Dolphins didn’t get embarrassed in Saturday’s 27-24 loss to New England the way they did back in Week 1. They didn’t give up 622 yards of total offense, 517 passing yards to Tom Brady or any 99-yard touchdowns, instead playing the AFC-leading Patriots down to the final gun.

But that doesn’t make Saturday’s defeat any easier to take.

“A loss is a loss is a loss, always,” receiver Brian Hartline said. “We’re never proud about losing.”

The Dolphins (5-10) have come a long way since that early September beat-down by the Patriots and the subsequent seven-game losing streak. They have won five of their last eight games, developed a top-five defense and found their groove on offense behind Matt Moore, Reggie Bush and Brandon Marshall.

And they almost pulled off an upset at Gillette Stadium, taking a 17-0 lead into halftime before wilting in the second half.

Left guard Richie Incognito said he’s proud of the way his teammates didn’t give up on the season after the 0-7 start.

He is also proud of his teammates for continuing to fight when they trailed 27-17 late in the fourth quarter Sunday. Moore led an 80-yard touchdown drive to bring the Dolphins within three points.

“Just speaks to the character of the men in this room,” Incognito said. “We don’t quit, we just fight.

“We’ve come a long way, we found an identity offensively, and we came up here and gave a hard-fought battle.”

Saturday’s game was a good measuring stick for the progress the Dolphins have made over the past 15 weeks – and the last two years.

The Patriots won both games in 2010 by a combined score of 79-21.

But many players couldn’t focus on any of the positives after the game. The Dolphins reached double-digit losses for the first time since 2007 and only the fifth time since 1970.

“In my mind, I’m like (forget) the measuring stick,” said cornerback Will Allen, who had three tackles. “I’m out here trying to win ballgames. I’m not measuring anything.”

As good as the Dolphins were in the first half, grabbing a 17-0 lead on two Moore touchdown passes while sacking Tom Brady four times and holding him to 87 yards passing, they were equally as bad in the second half.

Moore fumbled a snap and threw an interception in the third quarter, the Dolphins gained just 126 total yards in the half and Brady threw for 217 yards while leading the Patriots to 27 consecutive points.

“Played well,” Bush said, “just not for four quarters.”

Marshall, who had seven catches for 156 yards and a team-high sixth touchdown catch of the season, chalked up the loss to “immaturity, stupid mistakes, lack of execution.”

“You can’t do that against a Patriot team like that,” Marshall said. “It’s frustrating, but the whole season is frustrating.”

Still, the Dolphins looked nothing Saturday like the team that lost 38-24 to the Patriots in Week 1.

Moore, who sat on the bench that game in favor of Chad Henne, has thrown for 14 touchdowns with only three interceptions in the past eight games.

Marshall has developed into a bigger touchdown threat, with four in the last five games, and his 1,177 receiving yards this season are the fifth most in Dolphins history.

Bush, too, has been a revelation, cracking the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career.

Saturday’s game (113 yards) was his fourth straight 100-yard game, and he carried the ball 20-plus times for the third time in four games. In fact, Bush and Marshall became the first receiver-running back duo in team history to each crack the 1,000-yard mark.

Marshall reflected on the frustrating season and said he’s trying to “embrace the journey.”

“It’s unfortunate for the amount of work that we put in, it’s unfortunate to the fans, but that’s life,” he said.

“The journey was rough this year, (but) if you focus too much on the destination, you’ll be disappointed.

“You’ve got to embrace the journey and grow, and that’s what this year was about, was growing and building off of it.”