2009: Miami Dolphins Preview

Bill Parcells came to town and really turned the sinking ship in Miami around. We were coming off a 1-15 season and didn’t have much to look forward to. We still didn’t have our Quarterback situation figured out and we needed someone to guide us. Parcells brought in in two of his guys in Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano who over-hauled the entire coaching staff which is what this team was lacking more than talent, they needed direction. They finally addressed their two biggest needs of the last decade when they selected Jake Long to play Left Tackle and Chad Henne to be the Quarterback of the future. Not to mention they brought us Chad Pennington who is the best player this franchise has seen in a very long time and the answer to the Quarterback position which we have not answered since Danny Marino retired over a decade ago. I know last year we played a “soft” schedule but I don’t think our run to the AFC East title was a fluke, it was just good coaching with good young talent. Our 2009 roster is loaded with talent and year 2 under the new regime’s system should be even better. I think we will be in the post-season again and are just one year away from being a real contender; we might even contend this year. All the pre-season hype about the return of Tom Brady and how it is the Patriots’ division to lose will really get our team focused. Not to mention that Tony Sparano is good at using information like that and using it as motivation. Let’s take a position by position look at our roster…Also I will predict the 53 man roster with starters in BOLD.

[Quarterback]
For the first time since Dan Marino retired I feel fully confident about this position. I think our Quarterback situation is enviable to a majority of the league. Vince Carruci, a well respected NFL writer, recently blogged about how dangerous our Quarterback situation could be to the league. First, there is Chad Pennington who lead this team from the dumps to the promise land. Pennington will always catch flack for not having the strongest arm in the league but he is smart and so damn accurate. He may never put the numbers up that Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees etc. does but to me he is a top 10 Quarterback in this league which is evident by our run last season. I think too many fans, writers, and the media seem to be thinking that Chad Henne’s time might be coming but As I agree that Chad Henne is our Quarterback of the future, the future might be 3-4 years away. Pennington is simply to good for us to let go because we have Henne and Pat White IMO. Pennington has some limitations but he makes up for those with his smarts and his preparation. Let’s see what Chad can do in 2009 before we write him off because he proved last year that he is good at proving people wrong. Chad Henne has a stronger arm than Pennington and has the intangibles that will one day make him a special player. Before the draft last season I rated the Quarterback position as follows1) Chad Henne2) Matt Ryan3) Joe Flacco. Why am I so high on Chad Henne? Henne was a four year starter at Michigan which is impressive at itself. He is a gym rat with great size and physical tools. No one on this team benefits from Chad Pennington more than Henne. Henne has learned how to prepare, how to study and will be very good one day. At OTA’s he has looked mighty impressive showing that big arm and we all know how high our front office is on the guy.The wild-card is Pat White. White was the best football player in this draft. He wasn’t drafted to be the every down Quarterback just yet but trust me he will see the field 12-15 plays a game and will revolutionize the game of football. White will be used in the wild-cat and presents a major upgrade to the package with his ability to throw the ball. IMO White is a better option than Florida’s Tim Tebow. The drafting of White solidifies our Quarterback position even if Chad Pennington does depart. The combination of White/Henne is scary for opposing defenses. The Dolphins really are working with a three-headed monster at Quarterback with Pennington being the grizzly veteran who has proven to play at an MVP level, Chad Henne who is the young gun with all the potential to be a star in this league, and the ultimate X-factor in Pat White. Grade: 8.8

Who Makes the Team
Chad Pennington (1)
Chad Henne (2)
Pat White (3)

[Running Back]

For my money Ronnie Brown is the best Running Back in this league not named Adrian Peterson. Some might say I am drinking the Orange Kool-Aid but let’s take a look at what he has done for this football team. Two years ago he was having a League MVP type season before tearing his ACL; last season he was a key component to our Division title as he was the most important aspect of the Wild-Cat. He should have done more inside the tackles but with both of our starting guards sidelined with injuries and Samson Satele lacking that physicality the holes just were not there. I think two years removed from that ACL injury we will see the best Ronnie Brown we have ever seen. Not to forget that he is in a contract year.Ricky Williams made some nice plays last year and I would argue that he is among the league’s best #2 backs. He started to show that burst down the stretch but he defiantly is not the player he was back in 2002-2003. He is a great complement to Ronnie Brown and an awesome option as a backup Running Back.Patrick Cobbs hade a breakout season last year. He made some nice plays out of the wild-cat and is one of the best special teams players on the team. He is a reliable third down back with solid hands. I expect him to make more big plays in the upcoming season.Lex Hilliard runs with power but I just don’t see him making this roster. I don’t see us carrying more than three Running Backs. He could see the Practice Squad again but the sudden success of Loushaka Polite and Patrick Cobbs makes his roster slot disappear.Loushaka Polite was a bright spot for us last season. Every time he got the ball in 3rd and short and 4th and short situations he converted. Not to mention that he is a hell of a lead blocker who looks for contact Grade: 8.7

Who Makes the team?
Ronnie Brown (4)
*Ricky Williams (5)
*Patrick Cobbs (6)
* Loushaka Polite (7)

[Wide Receiver/ Tight End]

Ted Ginn Jr. was the star of the off-season; he fully dedicated himself to the off-season program, to Chad Pennington, and to the game of football. We know that Ginn has blazing speed but his route runner is getting better b/c he is playing with confidence. He became a man to me with the big plays he made in Week 17 when we clinched the division against the New York Jets. In OTA’s he has been totally impressive as he just looks so much more polished than he did a season ago. I predict he gets that 1,000 yard season under his belt.Greg Camarillo is way ahead of schedule on returning from his ACL tear he suffered in Week 12 last season. Camarillo is a reliable possession option and is sure-handed. When mini-camp started off Camarillo was running at full speed with the 1st team offense.Davone Bess was an absolute gem as an undrafted free agent. The guy is the ideal slot received who I truly believe will be Wes Welker like. He is tough and fights for yards after the catch. He will only get better.When we drafted Pat Turner in the 3rd Round I was shocked but this selection just show how much more about football that Ireland, Parcells, and Sparano know than the average Joe. Turner has ideal size and catches everything. His speed is surprising when you see him get off the line and he is a very good route runner. Turner will be what we expected out of Wilford last season and I truly believe he will be a starter in this league.I think we keep 6 receivers on the roster this season so two of the following will make the team.. Brian Hartline, Anthony Armstrong, and Brandon London. I think Hartline makes it just because he was a 4th Round Pick. Not to say that he isn’t a good football player but he was without question a reach. Hartline is a hard-worker and should be a special teams’ ace. Anthony Armstrong has been special in OTA’s and London has a ton of upside. I think in a surprise move we cut London to keep Armstrong.Anthony Fasano and Akin Ayodele for a 4th Rounder? Are you kidding me? What a great move that was as Fasano was great for us last season and will be a pro-owl tight end in the next couple of years. Lock this guy up. David Martin was a pleasant surprise and made some big plays last season; hopefully we can lock him up to an extension at a nice cost. I do think we might keep 4 tight ends this year especially knowing that two are free agents at seasons end. Joey Haynos has ideal size and is an above average blocker. I know the front office is high on this guy but John Nalbone was a workout warrior who could be a small-school steal. I think they keep Nalbone over Haynos. Ernest Wilford gets the axe and he deserves it. Grade: 7.9

Who makes the team?*Ted Ginn Jr. (8)* Greg Camarillo (9)* Davone Bess (10)*Patrick Turner (11)*Brian Hartline (12)*Anthony Armstrong (13)*Anthony Fasano (14)*David Martin (15)*John Nalbone (16)

[Offensive Line]

Who makes the team?*Jake Long (17)*Justin Smiley (18)* Jake Grove (19)*Donald Thomas (20)*Vernon Carey (21)*Andrew Gardner (22)* Shawn Murphy (23)*Brandon Frye (24)*Ikechuku Ndukwe (25)*Joe Berger (26)

Jake Long was everything expected out of a #1 pick and more. Big Jake was Hawaii bound in his rookie season and with some seasoning will be a premier Left tackle in this league. I know Joe Thomas is good but I see Joe Thomas and a little more with Jake Long. Justin Smiley was a leader on this young line last season and was playing at a Pro-Bowl level before his injury. I find it very encouraging that he is at full speed already. Vernon Carey is as good as they come as Right Tackle’s in this league and the only one who I can say is clearly better is Jordan Gross. We traded away Samson Satele in favor of Jake Grove and this was a GREAT move. Grove is a nasty anchor that you need on a line and brings the attitude that Parcells covets. Grove is much better at the point of attack than Satele and should do a much better job with players such as Vince Wilfork and Kris Jenkins. If Donald Thomas can stay healthy he is a lock at Right Guard. But two injuries in two years concern me greatly. I was devastated when we took Hartline over Duke Robinson in Round 4 of the draft. I hope Thomas is ready by training camp b/c if he is he completes a strong offensive line.Shawn Murphy has started to come around and looks like he can develop into a good player. Brandon Frye is versatile as he can play Guard and Tackle which locks him into the roster for me. Ndukwe is solid for depth and Andrew Garden was another steal in Round 6. Joe Berger is a Parcells’ guy so his job is safe for now. Berger will be the backup Center. Andy Allemen I see as the odd man out. Grade: 8.4

[Special Teams]

Who makes the team?*Dan Carpenter (27)*Brandon Field (28)*John Denny (29)

Carpenter was a pleasant surprise as an undrafted rookie and has proven to have a very strong leg. The one thing that worries me is that he hasn’t had to kick in too many pressure situations. From what I’ve seen and heard he has really been on point in OTA’sBrandon Fields can really boom the ball but needs to be more consistent. There were times when he would hit on off the side of his foot and it would be at the worst spot of a game.Denney snaps the ball and does that fairly well so there is not a whole lot to criticize here.Grade: 7.4


[Defensive Line]

Who makes the team? Phillip Merling (30)Kendall Langford (31)Paul Soliai (32)Jason Fergeson (33)Randy Starks (34)Tony McDaniel (35)Lionel Dotson (36)

The tandem of Merling and Langford come back for year two and to be honest I think both of these guy are legit 3-4 Defensive Ends. Langford is the type of player who is solid and won’t put up gaudy numbers but will get his job done. Merling on the other hand has big play potential. He showed this Week 17 when he turned the game around against the Jets by picking a Favre screen pass and taking it to the house. Lionel Dotson gets strong reviews from the Offensive linemen he practises against so I see him being the 4th end. Tony McDaniel is a guy who truly intrigues me. This guy is just a mammoth of a man. Randy Starks will continue to play inside and outside and was one of the bright spots of our team last season. He played extremely well. Jason Ferguson is getting older but he is still our best option in the middle for now. I expect us to make a push for Vince Wilford or look at Nose Tackle in the draft next year. Ferguson is in a contract year so he should play well and might see a small extension. Paul Solai needs to get his act together because he is very talented. I cannot hold faith in him despite him playing well in mini-camps because he was suspended for two games last year and was out of shape for OTA’s. I hope he can turn the corner. Louis Ellis is a guy I have us sending to the practice squad where I am afraid he will not clear waivers. I hope this kid somehow makes the team. Grade: 7.6

[Linebacker]

Who makes the team?Jason Taylor (37)Joey Porter (38)Cameron Wake (39)Akin Ayodele (40)Channing Crowder (41)Matt Roth (42)Reggie Torbor (43)Charlie Anderson (44)

This is an area of the team where I think we will show great improvement. I expect another big year from Joey porter. We finally have him playing the right position and he is among the league’s best pass-rushers. Matt Roth is one of my favorites and he is outstanding against the run. I hope we can ink him to an extension because this guy is a hustle type player with an attitude you need on a defense. Crowder and Ayodele are solid inside while not spectacular and neither makes too many big plays; Akin made some last season though. Cameron Wake is FAST. I saw him outrunning defensive backs at OTA’s. I think they are going to groom this kid into a special player. People put too much into what string he is playing with in mini-camp b/c I see this kid and he can play. He will learn from two of the best in Joey Porter and Jason Taylor. Charlie Anderson and Reggie Torbor provide solid depth. The return of #99 is a move that will pay dividends. He may not be a spring chicken but we know he has gas in the tank. I predict a 10 sack season for JT. Grade: 8.0

[Secondary]

Who makes the team?Vontae Davis (45)Sean Smith (46)Will Allen (47)Eric Green (48)Jason Allen (49)Chris Clemons (50)Tyrone Culver (51)Gibril Wilson (52)Yeremiah Bell (53)

I think we had a marvelous draft when it came to the secondary. Vontae Davis and Sean Smith were two of the top corners in this draft. Sean Smith is tall and fast and has great ball-hawking skills. Vontae Davis is a physical corner who is exactly what Parcells was looking for. Eric Green will provide solid depth but I do not see him starting long because he gets beat with the long ball too often. Will Allen is the definition of consistent and is quietly one of the teams’ best players. I think the 5th and final corner spot os between Nathan Jones and Jason Allen and surprisingly I think Jason Allen beats him out. Allen is versatile as he can play Corner and Safety and I think Allen’s special teams play is quite strong. Tyrone Culver is another hidden gem that the trifecta found. Chris Clemons was a very good pick in Round 6 and will be an eventual starter.Grade: 8.4