Getty Images

There’s still a few weeks to go before anyone plays a game that counts in the standings and that means there’s plenty of time for expressions of optimism around the league.

The Dolphins are taking full advantage of that. The team hasn’t advanced to the postseason since 2008, but they are feeling good about themselves after signing Ndamukong Suh, remaking their receiving corps and making other moves after fading down the stretch the last two seasons. That’s likely why executive vice president Mike Tannenbaum says the difference between “our optimism and the other 31 is our optimism is earned” and why defensive end Cameron Wake thinks he’ll be playing in the postseason for the first time.

“Not being able to play in the postseason in all that time I’ve been here, now is the time …” Wake said, via the Miami Herald. “This is definitely the year.”

Center Mike Pouncey shares Wake’s feeling that the team is poised for good things this year, although he adds the caveat that he knows this is the kind of thing you hear every year around this time. Given the way the Dolphins have hit the wire the last two years, there are going to be a lot of people resisting a ride on the bandwagon until the Dolphins have shown that their good-looking puzzle pieces actually fit together.