Outlook, LB: Miami’s backers will make or break it in 2010
[picappgallerysingle id="7329605"]Saving the best, and most intriguing, positions for last. The Miami linebacking core.
The second biggest acquisition of the offseason was bringing in former Cardinal Karlos Dansby, an outside linebacker moved inside. He has everything a 3-4 defense, in terms of vision, tackling ability and play-making skills, needs.
Dansby should compliment Channing Crowder well inside, and hopefully become the team leader/captain that the Dolphins desperately need.
On the outside is where the real intrigue comes into play. Please, oh please football Gods make Cameron Wake the reincarnation of L.T.
I am a huge fan of “Earthquake” Wake since learning of him when Miami plucked him from the CFL before last season. He’s a full on pass rusher and could be great in Nolan’s defense.
On the other side rookie Koa Misi is high on many people’s boards outside of Miami, including S.I.’s Peter King. He’s a 4-3 end moved to a stand up position and seems to adapt to anything the coaching staff throws at him.
Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New England and San Diego have enjoyed great success over the past years and the number one reason is their defense. Yes those offenses were great, but each team had All Pro linebackers year after year.
Miami used to, they need to get them back. If a line-up of Dansby, Crowder, Misi and Wake steps on the field on opening day we should all rejoice.
Trying to break into a starting role are a slew of veterans including Quentin Moses, Charlie Anderson, Tim Dobbins and Erik Walden. There’s also rookies A.J. Edds, Austin Spitler, Chris McCoy and first year player J.D. Folsom.
At first glance the names are on the weak side, but there’s a lot of young talent battling for the four backer spots. Miami knows who’s starting in the middle, but the battle outside will show you has what Parcells and Co. are looking for, and who will be watching from the side in 2010.
Outlook: WR, Miami finally has a big time receiver
[picappgallerysingle id="7776126"]Don’t get me wrong, the Dolphins had a very good core of receivers last season, but no number one.
Finally. Finally, Miami brings in a big time receiver ala Mark Duper, Mark Clayton, or even O.J. McDuffie. Anybody a defense has to game plan against. It’s taken about a decade, but the Dolphins now have a passing game to be respected once again.
Acquiring Brandon Marshall in the offseason doesn’t guarantee Chad Henne a 4,000 yard passing season, Miami’s still a run-first team, but it does push the defense back to help the run game and gives the ‘Fins a shot on third-and-long situations.
Just Remember last season being surprised that “the old No.19″ actually caught a pass. Well those days are all but over.
Marshall’s coming into camp will also allow receivers like Devon Bess and Greg Camarillo to play in a more natural No.2 and slot position. With Bess’ speed and Camarillo’s sure hands, teams will regret double teaming Marshal- fantasy teaser.
It should be an interesting battle in training camp for the No.2 receiver spot. Also in the mix will be Brian Hartline, who came on strong in his rookie season last year.
Hartline, Bess and Camarillo should all see ample playing time between the No.2 and slot positions, and the group could also allow Miami to go 4-wide in certain desperate situations.
Behind them and looking to make the team will be Patrick Turner, Taurus Johnson, Julius Pruitt and Marlon Moore. Look for Turner to get every chance to make the team, but if he can’t one of the three first year players could slid by and onto the depth chart.
No matter who does finally make the group, one thing is certain, Miami has a passing game to game plan against. That alone should make it a fun season to watch on South Beach.
Outlook: Safety, Can Yeremiah Bell get some help?
[picappgallerysingle id="6637670"]Well the Gibril Wilson experiement didn’t really work out, neither did trying to get a high profile free agent this offseason.
So the Dolphins enter the 2010 season with one of their most glaring holes right next to maybe their defense’s best player.
Yeremiah Bell has been a stud over the past two seasons, recording over 100 tackles each year. Last year his team-leading 114 tackles, along with three picks, earned Bell his first ever Pro Bowl nod.
Look for Bell to again be very busy back there, especially with what looks to be a rotating position next to him. That is unless somebody steps up dramatically this preseason.
Chris Clemons looks to have the poll position in the race so far, that is unless “Deer” can avoid looking like one in headlights on deep plays over the middle. “Deer” by the way is his nickname for his blazing speed growing up.
Tyrone Culver puts up the best fight for Clemons’ spot, he was one of just a few players in the NFL to pick off Drew Bress last year. But his contributions were mostly on special teams.
Behind them, there’s a slew of players that haven’t stepped on the field on a Sunday yet. Rookies Reshad Jones, Jonathon Amaya, Ross Weaver and returning practice squad player Nate Ness round out a group of youngsters that Dolphins brass hopes to get some kind of contribution from.
Despite Bell’s strong play as of late, if he doesn’t get help at the other safety spot the passing game could once again be Miami’s weak spot on defense.
Outlook: O-Line, Dolphins have depth and experience
[picappgallerysingle id="1185884"]First, let me start this blog by giving my condolences to the family of former Dolphins offensive lineman Harry Gilbreath, who passed away today due to an apparent heart ailment. The former guard played his first five season with the Dolphins after being drafted in 1988 and our thoughts and prayers will be with his friends and family.
The deepest part of Miami’s roster resides on the front line where the game starts and ends.
The Dolphin’s bookends at tackle are met with a slew of experienced inside linemen. With a team looking to run the ball, and protect their young gun slinger, Miami’s line will be key in 2010.
Looking to be selected to his third straight Pro Bowl will be left tackle Jake Long, the anchor of the offensive line. Long has absolutely lived up to his billing as the team’s top draft choice and should be even better this season.
At right tackle will be veteran Vernon Carey yet again. He has been the staple of the front line for years, having started every game since October 2005.
Backing up Long and Carey will be second year players Andrew Gardner and Lydon Murtha and third year player Nate Garner.
On the inside look for some good battles in the preseason as veterans like Jake Grove, Joe Berger, Richie Incognito and Donald Thomas. Grove was the big signing from Oakland last season, but Berger started the last six games at center.
Incognito came to Miami early in the offseason after playing with the Rams then Bills, and will try and bring his tenacity to one of the two guard spots. Thomas looks to be the early front runner for right guard, starting 12 games their in 2009.
Behind them will be a slew of talented players trying to make the roster including Andrew Hartline, Cory Proctor, Ray Fienga and rookies John Jerry and Dimitri Tsoumpas.
More is definitely merrier in Miami this season.
Outlook: CB, Who will start in 2010?
[picappgallerysingle id="7329438"]Last year’s rookie duo at cornerback, Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, were thrown to the wolves early in their playing career. Smith started every game and Davis came on when veteran Will Allen went down with a season-ending injury in week six.
Now all three are healthy, but just two will be starting. Allen has the most credentials, the 10-year vet has been a staple on the outside since coming to Miami in 2006. But his propensity for giving up big plays led the Dolphins to draft the two new corners last year.
Davis had a stellar rookie campaign, recording 49 tackles and a team-high four interceptions. He was also named to the All-Rookie team.
Despite becoming just the 10th player in Dolphins history to start his first 16 games, Smith failed to record a single interception. He had 39 tackles and a team-high 12 passes defended, Davis had 11.
So the battle will come down to training camp, where two of the three will have to show they can cover the elite receivers awaiting them in the AFC East. My money’s on Davis and Allen starting, with Smith seeing a lot of action in nickle packages and against taller receivers.
Behind them are two five year vets and a couple rookies trying to get time in the Dime defense and on special teams. Jason Allen, the team’s first round draft pick years back, has never become the star cover corner the team has hoped. He has however earned his keep by being a strong special teams player, recording a team-high 15 special teams tackles.
Evan Oglesby is a journeyman corner who will be trying to earn his spot above rookies Nolan Carroll from Maryland and A.J. Wallaca from Penn State. All three will have to show the ability to play wherever and whenever they’re needed.
