Football Diner 2008 Team Reviews / Previews
Miami Dolphins
by CJ Sanchez
3/9/2008
 
Overview
 
It’s hard to imagine what it was like to be a Miami Dolphins fan last year. (Un)fortunately I don’t have to imagine what it was like, as I am one of the said fans. And it was awful, let me tell you. After the first three losses the initial hope for the season was well and truly squashed. Then, with season ending injuries to key players such as Ronnie Brown and Trent Green, things began to look pretty bleak. But it wasn’t until around week 10 that the whole season became all about finding one win. Just one. Never before has a single stroke in the ‘W’ column been so important to the Dolphins faithful and nor had it ever seemed so unobtainable. But despite a year of terrible luck for the Mighty Phish, week 13 saw a brief respite when, in overtime against the Baltimore Ravens, Cleo Lemon found Greg Camarillo on a slant pass that would go down in history. Well, it would for us Phin fans anyway. But last year’s 1-15 is in the past and thanks to the appointment of Bill Parcels, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano and followed by an influx of former Dallasians (Dallasi?), the Dolphins are looking like a far more secure unit this year.
 
Quarterbacks
 
This entire preview could have come down to one long essay about the QB situation in Miami. Since the departure of a certain numero 13 the Dolphins have struggled to find a decent replacement. And that’s putting it kindly. A succession of underperforming or, let’s face it, flat out poor, players have grasped the reins in glory, only to fumble them again soon after, in a blaze of disappointment. Following the disastrous season, Cleo Lemon was ousted, as was the oft-concussed Trent Green, which left only rookie John Beck on the roster. Josh McCown was brought in to steady the ship but has already been made to walk the plank after failing to beat out his inexperienced opposition. That opposition, consisting of Beck and new draftee Chad Henne (who was somewhat of a steal for the Dolphins in the second round) were nowhere near ready to lead the team when Miami finally (and almost accidentally) found their man. Chad Pennington has been nothing short of a revelation for the Phins, fans and coaches alike. He has brought leadership, experience and most importantly, an infectious self-belief that has transformed the squad almost overnight. However, if Chad was to go down with yet another injury, Miami would find themselves right back at square one.
Grade: C+
 
Running Backs
 
Easily the strongest part of the Dolphins roster, the running backs have found further improvement with the return of a healthier, happier Ricky Williams. Ronnie Brown will return from injury, but only time will tell if he can return to last season’s stunning pre-injury form. Behind these two stellar backs are fourth year man Patrick Cobbs and rookie Jalen Parmele, both of whom have looked impressive in pre-season.
Grade: A
 
Receivers
 
With every game second year man Ted Ginn Jnr looks to become Miami’s primary wideout. However, he still lacks experience and is more of a deep threat or quick slant target, then an any down man. Behind him, serial drop artist Derek Hagan is said to have improved dramatically during the off-season and the third spot will be battled out between new acquisition Ernest Wilford, rookie Davone Bess and last years’ hero Greg Camarillo. TE Anthony Fasano is a former Cowboy, a ‘Parcel’s Guy’ and a fascinating addition to the team.
Grade: E+
 
Offensive Line
 
Last year’s O-line was somewhat of an anomaly. At times superb in run blocking but truly horrendous in pass protection, the O-line was the cause of many of the Dolphins problems last year. However, the dead wood has been offloaded and great additions in the form of 2008 #1 draft pick and overall giant Jake Long and former 49’er Justin Smiley have been brought in to shore things up. Second year man and fan favourite Samson Satele will lead the unit at centre and standout rookie Donald Thomas completes the Guards. The oft-maligned Vernon Carey will start at RT. If this group gels, expect to hear them heralded throughout many a game.
Grade: C
 
Defensive Line
 
Last year the Dolphins D-line was much the same as their O-line, minus the upside. They seemed equally unable to stop the run or rush the QB. Almost overnight the once superb front four aged dramatically and the years of ignorance paid by the front office to the ever aging D was highlighted in a devastating spotlight. And to top it off, Jason Taylor, 2006 defensive player of the year, has been voluntarily run out of town after a summer of press speculation. Problems like that are not fixed overnight in the NFL but the management have gone some way to rectifying them. The signing of 6-3, 305lb Jason Ferguson from Dallas will aid the hybrid 3-4/4-3 defense the Dolphins favour and the vast experience of Vonnie Holliday should mesh well with the rookie vitality of draftee Phillip Merling. Matt Roth has found himself in stiff competition for a starting role but will be a frequent fixture in the hybrid scheme. The only worry with this unit is, should Ferguson go down, there is little help available on the roster to replace him.
Grade: B-
 
Linebackers
 
The linebacking core looks fairly strong on paper, but only time will tell if they will work well in the hybrid system. Channing Crowder appears to finally be developing into the type of player the Phins hoped he would and recent additions Joey Porter (last season) and Akin Ayodele, Reggie Torbor and Charlie Anderson (this season) have brought a considerable upgrade to the roster.
Grade: B-
 
Secondary
 
The secondary always looks worse when the pass rush is poor. This is clearly something the Phins coaching staff are counting on as there are few changes to the backfield from last season. Will Allen, Yeremiah Bell, Jason Allen, Michael Lehan and Andre Goodman will start (with rotation in the nickel) but none of these are renowned as playmakers. Will an improved pass rush change that? I doubt it.
Grade: D
 
Special Teams
 
Rookie K Dan Carpenter got the nod over Jay Feeley after a very impressive display in pre-season. Brandon Fields remains at P but will have to improve on last year if he wants to keep his job. Despite the rumours, Ted Ginn Jnr remains the star punt/kick returner and should bring a few more home with an improved team around him and the likes of ST specialists like Boomer Grigsby.
Grade: A-
 
Coaching
 
Tony Sparano is a Bill Parcels guy. He is also a proven O-line coaching wiz. But this team is now all about the Big Tuna. Within a few short months he has transformed the look and feel of the team. He has shaken up an ailing roster and somehow installed a winning self belief into a 1-15 team. That said, there is still much work to be done for the trifecta of Parcels, Ireland and Sparano, but if they continue in their current vein they can and will turn this team around.
Grade: C
 
Outlook
 
The Miami Dolphins are in a good position heading into 2008. They are coming off of a 1-15 season and it’s hard to imagine any team in the modern day NFL going any worse than that. If they win just six games this year (as many pundits think they will) the fans and the press will consider it a resounding success. However, I think the Dolphins will do better than that. If Pennington can stay healthy and Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown play to their best, then it is very possible that the Phins could finish as well as 8-8.