Mike Sherman is confident that he has inherited a Dolphins team that is close to competing in the AFC. "I don't feel like I'm getting old, but my wife tells me I am, and I want that opportunity before it"s all over for me, whenever that is," Sherman said. "Joe [Philbin] assured me that [owner Stephen Ross] is very excited about our football team, very excited about winning a Super Bowl. And he convinced me at our dinner and conversation that is a top priority. "I watched the tape, and I don't think we're that far away. We're missing a couple of pieces here and there but I think we have a chance to build upon what [general manager] Jeff Ireland has put together here. After watching the tape, I think we get a couple of pieces here and there, I think we'll be close."