Miami Dolphins
2010 record: 7-9
Last playoff appearance: 2008, AFC East Champs, L27-9 BAL
General Manager: Jeff Ireland
Head Coach: Tony Sparano (25-23, 2 seasons as Dolphins Head Coach)
Offensive Coordinator: Brian Daboll
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Nolan
Defensive Alignment: 3-4
2010 NFL Rankings:
OFF: 17.1 PTS (30th) 323.1 YDS (21st) 220.4 PASS (16th) 102.7 RUSH (21st)
DEF: 20.8 PTS (14th) 309.3 YDS (6th) 209.2 PASS (8th) 100.1 RUSH (7th)
Jeremy’s Outlook: The Dolphins weren’t willing to give the Broncos what they wanted for Kyle Orton (lucky for the Broncos), so Miami will be going with Chad Henne at QB. Since Dan Marino retired, Miami hasn’t been able to find a very good quarterback. I don’t have to tell you how the QB situation is since Henne is the starter. It could be better, let’s just leave it at that. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are gone, replaced by Reggie Bush and second round draft pick Daniel Thomas. The offensive line adds Mike Pouncey, who’s expected to come in and contribute as well as his twin brother (Maurkice) did in Pittsburgh last year. Don’t expect much out of the Dolphin offense this season. I expect Tony Sparano to be on the hot seat this year.
The defense will have to carry this team to a respectable record, because the offense is going to stall…a lot. Sean Smith and Vontae Davis think they’re the best corner tandem in the league, even though they aren’t, but they’re still near the top. The only notable change is Channing Crowder’s exit and Kevin Burnett’s entrance. Paul Soliai was retained with the franchise tag by GM Jeff Ireland. Overall, the unit remains unchanged from last season, so it should be a pretty good unit. It’s just that the offense will probably put them in a lot of compromising situations.
Prediction: The Phins won’t be contending for the AFC East in 2011 and it’s hard to see them breaking the .500 mark, too. 5-11 is the record I see Miami finishing with. I wasn’t high on Daniel Thomas through the draft process and Reggie Bush isn’t a huge dynamic playmaker that they’re expecting him to be.
Projected Starters:
QB: Chad Henne
RB: Reggie Bush/Daniel Thomas
WR: Brandon Marshall
WR: Brian Hartline
WR: Davone Bess
TE: Anthony Fasano
OT: Jake Long
OG: Richie Incognito
C: Mike Pouncey
OG: Vernon Carey
OT: Marc Colombo
DE: Kendall Langford
DT: Paul Soliai
DE: Randy Starks
OLB: Koa Misi
MLB: Karlos Dansby
MLB: Kevin Burnett
OLB: Cameron Wake
CB: Sean Smith
CB: Vontae Davis
FS: Chris Clemons
SS: Yeremiah Bell
K: Dan Carpenter
P: Brandon Fields
Fantasy Performers:
1. Brandon Marshall WR
2. Reggie Bush RB
3. Daniel Thomas RB
4. Dolphins Defense
5. Dan Carpenter K
2011 schedule:
1 Sep 12 vs. Patriots 7:00 PM Tickets
2 Sep 18 vs. Texans 4:15 PM Tickets
3 Sep 25 at Browns 1:00 PM Tickets
4 Oct 02 at Chargers 4:15 PM Tickets
5 Bye
6 Oct 17 at Jets 8:30 PM Tickets
7 Oct 23 vs. Broncos 1:00 PM Tickets
8 Oct 30 at Giants 1:00 PM Tickets
9 Nov 06 at Chiefs 1:00 PM Tickets
10 Nov 13 vs. Redskins 1:00 PM Tickets
11 Nov 20 vs. Bills 1:00 PM Tickets
12 Nov 24 at Cowboys 4:15 PM Tickets
13 Dec 04 vs. Raiders 1:00 PM Tickets
14 Dec 11 vs. Eagles 1:00 PM Tickets
15 Dec 18 at Bills 1:00 PM Tickets
16 Dec 24 at Patriots 1:00 PM Tickets
17 Jan 01 vs. Jets 1:00 PM Tickets
Re-signed:
Richie Incognito OG - 3 yrs
Tony McDaniel DE – 2 yrs, 6 million
Paul Soliai NT – franchise tag- 1 yr, 12.381 million
Free agent acquisitions:
Matt Moore QB (Panthers) – 2 yrs, 5 million
Marc Colombo OT (Cowboys) -
Ronald Fields NT (Broncos) – 3 yrs, 2.188 million
Jason Trusnik OLB (Browns) – 2 yrs, 2 million
Jason Taylor OLB (Jets)
Kevin Burnett MLB (Chargers) – 4 yrs, 21 million
Free agent losses:
Tyler Thigpen QB - signed by Bills
Ronnie Brown RB – signed with Eagles
Ricky Williams RB – Signed with Ravens
Channing Crowder LB – retired
Picks in 2011 Draft: (overall draft grade: B): I really thought that Miami was going to draft Ryan Mallett, but in the end, they didn’t view him as a fit. Instead, they added key positions on offense and some depth and development on defense. The interior of the offensive line is shored up with Mike Pouncey and at least one running back position will be filled with Daniel Thomas. Edmond Gates and Charles Clay will help Chad Henne (or whoever might be their quarterback) in the passing game. Prior to the draft, GM Jeff Ireland said they were going to be looking for speed in the draft and they got some players with it in Thomas and Gates.
(! Indicates draft pick who was interviewed, had a private workout, etc. prior to the draft according to my compiled list):
Rd 1, Pick 15 (15) Mike Pouncey OG, Florida! – Good value, especially for a guy who’s the twin of a pro bowl rookie from last season. Is he a carbon copy? He got drafted one spot ahead of where his bro did last year.
Grade: A- Rated: 18
Rd 2, Pick 30 (62) Daniel Thomas RB, Kansas State! – Runs too upright, but is a good inside runner. JUCO transfer, went to three different JUCOs before arriving at K State, plus he’s struggled with academics according to his scouting reports. Fills an area of need as Ricky Williams and “Shy Ronnie” Brown (Lonely Island anyone?).
Grade: C+ Rated: 91
Rd 4, Pick 14 (111) Edmond Gates WR, Abilene Christian – Gates has been talked about as a better prospect than current Chicago Bear and ACU alum Johnny Knox.
Grade: A Rated: 70
Rd 6, Pick 9 (174) Charles Clay TE, Tulsa! – Clay brings some versatility to the Dolphins’ offense and gives them some options to use him to confuse defenses. He offers a more viable pass option.
Grade: A Rated: 142
Rd 7, Pick 28 (231) Frank Kearse DT, Alabama A&M – has potential to become a nose tackle.
Grade: C Rated: 305
Rd 7, Pick 32 (235) Jimmy Wilson DB, Montana – charged with murder. Character obviously doesn’t matter with GM Jeff Ireland (remember his combine private interview question to Dez Bryant about his mother being a prostitute?). Wilson has been trying to rebuild his image and put the past behind him.
Grade: F Rated: NR
2010 Stat Leaders
Chad Henne 301-490 61.4% 3301 YDS 6.7 YPA 15 TD 19 INT 75.4 RTG
Ronnie Brown 200 ATT 734 YDS 3.7 YPA 5 TD
Brandon Marshall 86 REC 1014 YDS 11.8 YPC 3 TD
Dan Carpenter 30-41 73.2% 60 LNG
Yehemiah Bell 101 TCK
Cameron Wake 14 SCK
Benny Sapp 2 INT
Out of Season Storylines (Because there is no offseason)
Kyle Orton Trade Falls Through
Ricky Williams/Ronnie Brown Replaced By Reggie Bush/Daniel Thomas