Sports writers rarely reveal the philosophy that guides their coverage. Readers assume things — sometimes correctly, sometimes incorrectly — but perhaps that’s because sports writers don’t clearly define the situation.

So, as the Dolphins prepare for the NFL draft, and as we take more steps down the path to the regular season, I’m issuing my Journalistic Guiding Light for the 2024 Dolphins.

For the record, here’s the backdrop for everything I write or say about this team, and the basis of my coverage:

The 2024 Miami Dolphins were assembled to win a Super Bowl, not merely make the playoffs or win one or two playoff games, so the 2024 Dolphins can’t simply be better than last year, when they went 11-6 and failed to win a single playoff game. They must be much, much better.

I think that’s a fair, objective statement.

If I was covering the Dallas Cowboys, it’d be the same storyline (except they won 12 games last season).

Yes, I’m harder on this team and more critical of this team than almost every other media member.

Many of them focus on the joy of the 2023 Dolphins having the No. 1 offense in the league while I focus on the disappointment of the 2023 Dolphins going 1-6 against playoff teams.

We have spirited debates about that.

But there’s no Dolphins hate on my part.

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