Team Report: Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
By Andy Benoit, www.NFLTouchdown.com
Predicted: 4th
2007 Record: 1-15 (4th AFC East)
Head Coach: Tony Sparano (1st year)
Roster Quick View
*rookie
**new veteran
Offense
QB: Josh McCown** His starting experience gives him a mild edge over John Beck and Chad Henne in the quarterback competition. Not a long-term option though.
RB: Ronnie Brown Was leading the league in yards from scrimmage before tearing his ACL last October. Speedy recovery, but must regain trust in his knee.
FB: Reagan Mauia His 270-pound weight gives him power, but he’s still learning the position. Fortunately for him, so is backup Boomer Grigsby.
WR: Ernest Wilford** Parcells and offensive coordinator Chad Henning love big, strong WR’s––even those without first-rate athleticism.
WR: Ted Ginn Jr. Did not quiet the critics last season. But this is a new year with a new quarterback, new coaching staff and new playbook.
TE: Anthony Fasano** Not as good as the South Florida media is making him out to be (constricted as a receiver). Still, a serviceable blocker.
LT: Jake Long* The only other OT ever drafted No. 1 is Orlando Pace. Dolphins would be thrilled if their guy reached that level.
LG: Justin Smiley** Was signed the second free agency began. Offers solid strength and mobility, but must prove that his shoulder is healthy and his skills are suitable for the left side.
C: Samson Satele Second-year player who still has a few seasons left in his development process. Capable of starting in the meantime, but needs plenty of support.
RG: Donald Thomas* Didn’t even play football in high school. Has been a huge surprise in camp, which is why he’s on track to beat out higher-drafted rookie Shawn Murphy.
RT: Vernon Carey Miscast at LT last season, though did okay. Plays the game a lot like Jabba the Hut might play (not meant as an insult).
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QB: John Beck Best case scenario is he makes a career as a solid No. 2 QB. Too jittery to tinker with in the starting lineup and, at 27, too old to have great “potential.”
RB: Ricky Williams In the final year of his NFL-mandated minimum salary contract. Was smoking hot in the offseason activities. Should have a fairly prominent role in 2008.
WR: Derek Hagan Doesn’t drop passes like he used to. Limited speed and 6’2”, 203-pound size make him a possession receiver.
WR: Greg Camarillo A poor man’s––very poor man’s––Wes Welker. Doubtful he’ll be able to beat out undrafted rookie Davone Bess.
TE: David Martin Struggled mightily last season, in part because the Dolphins asked him to block so much.
OL: Steve McKinney** Can play G or C, but with this season being a long-term rebuilding project, there’s no point in starting an average 11th-year veteran.
Defense
LDE: Vonnie Holliday Playing time dropped dramatically last season. Considering he’s 32 and surrounded by rising prospects, could see more of the same in ’08.
NT: Jason Ferguson** Was with Parcells in New York (Jets) and Dallas. Somewhat undersized for NT and coming off a torn triceps, but overall, not a terrible option.
RDE: Phillip Merling* Drafted 32nd overall; scouts love his motor. Experienced at a multitude of D-line positions.
LOLB: Charlie Anderson** Special teams stalwart who has three sacks in his four-year career. The man he’s replacing had 117 career sacks.
LILB: Akin Ayodele** Played for this coaching staff in Big D, which gives him a mild advantage over Reggie Torbor in starting competition. Can be stout against the run.
RILB: Channing Crowder Fluid athlete, but taking over for Zach Thomas does not make him the next Zach Thomas.
ROLB: Joey Porter Expected to perform better now that he’ll be used in a more natural freelance role. Still, double digit sack total is highly unlikely.
CB: Will Allen Not a playmaker, but very solid man defender who really understands how to play the CB position.
SS: Yeremiah Bell Compelling talent who has been plagued by injuries throughout his four-year career. Coming off blown Achilles and trying to prove himself in a one-year deal.
FS: Jason Allen Nice speed and serviceable run-stopping ability. Starting job is not a lock, though he’s all but guaranteed a role in nickel packages.
CB: Michael Lehan High-character veteran who survives despite questionable hip swivel.
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DL: Randy Starks** Never lived up to potential in Tennessee. Why would he flourish here now that he’s been paid?
LB: Reggie Torbor** Should have been given more opportunities with the Giants. His inexperience in a 3-4 could hinder him early on.
NB: Andre Goodman Decent veteran, but isn’t going to make any QB think twice.
Key Players Acquired
LB Charlie Anderson (Hou)
LB Akin Ayodele (Dal)
S Chris Crocker (Atl)
S Keith Davis (Dal)
TE Anthony Fasano (Dal)
FB Boomer Grigsby (Mia)
NT Jason Ferguson (Dal)
CB Nate Jones (Dal)
QB Josh McCown (Oak)
OL Steve McKinney (Hou)
WR Tab Perry (Cin)
TE Sean Ryan (NYJ)
G Justin Smiley (SF)
DT Randy Starks (Ten)
LB Reggie Torbor (NYG)
WR Ernest Wilford (Jax)
Key Players Lost
RB Lorenzo Booker (Phi)
WR Marty Booker (Chi)
RB Jesse Chatman (NYJ)
G Rex Hadnot (Cle)
OL Cory Lekkerkerker (Dal)
QB Cleo Lemon (Jax)
LB Derrick Pope (Min)
OT L.J. Shelton (SD)
LB Zach Thomas (Dal)
DE Jason Taylor (Was)
OL Joe Toledo (SF)
DT Keith Traylor
S Cameron Worrell (NYJ)
Bill Parcells does not mess around. He prefers players whom he’s familiar with, which is why six of Miami’s acquisitions have played for him before. Of the players brought in, only three are clear-cut starters: Ferguson, Smiley and Wilford. However, as many as 13 of these guys could push for serious playing time. Of the players lost, obviously Thomas and Taylor are the big names. Both had something left, but there’s no sense in forcing them into what is obviously a substantial rebuilding project.
2008 - Miami Dolphins
Rd Sel # Player Position School
1 1 Jake Long T Michigan
2 32 Phillip Merling DE Clemson
2 57 Chad Henne QB Michigan
3 66 Kendall Langford DE Hampton
4 110 Shawn Murphy T Utah State
6 176 Jalen Parmele RB Toledo
6 195 Donald Thomas G Connecticut
6 204 Lex Hilliard RB Montana
7 245 Lionel Dotson DT Arizona
Every No. 1 pick is expected to be a superstar. However, not all of them materialize. Even the OT position can generate high-drafted disappointments (Oakland’s Robert Gallery or Buffalo’s Mike Williams, for example). The spotlight’s on Long. Merling is an intriguing prospect because he’s a great fit for a 3-4 DE job. Henne had four years of starting experience in the Big Ten but still must improve his decision-making if he wants to succeed in the NFL. Expect him to start before the season is over. Langford is a run-stopper who could be molded into a developmental DT. He’ll have to put on weight though. Murphy figured to start at G very soon, but Thomas has outperformed him thus far. The rest of the rookies figure to add depth.
Miami Dolphins 2008 Preview Report
Only Bill Parcells could be retired, move to South Florida and undertake a laborious NFL rebuilding effort. The soon-to-be 69-year-old left Dallas in ’07 and went all of one year without feeding his football addiction. To his credit, he did not jump back into the coaching ranks.
So here we go again––another Parcells reclamation project. This is the fifth one. With Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga having no ego and being in the process of turning the team over to Stephen Ross, it’s clearly the Big Tuna’s show in Miami. Nothing about this is new. This isn’t even the first time that the future Hall of Famer has inherited a 1-15 AFC East team. You may remember, Parcells took over the hapless Jets in 1997. He made them a nine-win club right away, then led them to the AFC championship the following year.
Of course, that AFC East division did not feature a dynastic Patriots franchise (which, by the way, given Bill Belichick’s NFL upbringing, is something the Big Tuna had a slight hand in as well). Nine wins is simply unrealistic for these Dolphins. In fact, any numerical expectations for 2008 seem almost pointless. The bottom line is, Parcells builds winners––which is exactly what the Miami Dolphins will be once he’s done.
So how does he do it?
For starters, he uses his own Rolodex. Parcells favors the familiar. He hired former Cowboys VP of scouting Jeff Ireland to be his GM (aka right hand man). Then, he brought in his offensive line coach and one-time play-caller in Dallas, Tony Sparano, to replace Cam Cameron. Sparano is a Parcells yes man––which, in this case, is a good thing. (If you’re working for Parcells, it means you inherently think like him anyway.)
Sparano’s coaching staff is rich with former Cowboys assistants. There are five in all, including defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. The offensive coordinator is Dan Henning. Henning’s ties to Parcells date back to 1970, when the two were young New Yorkers working as assistant coaches at Florida State. They were last together for a brief stint with the Jets.
After Parcells entrenches a like-minded coaching staff, he implements the game plan. Almost always, it involves a ball-control offense (which Sparano and Henning run) and an over-sized 3-4 defense.
Strategy in place, the Big Tuna then conducts the roster purge. In this case, there were no boundaries (a one-win season can be very emetic). Seemingly, the longer a player had been with the Dolphins organization, the more expendable he was (hence the removal of Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor). Parcells does not like dealing with longtime veterans he has no history with––such players are too hard to remold.
After dumping roughly one-fourth of the roster, Parcells begins to fill the holes. This is where it gets interesting. His predilection for the familiar also persists when he’s acquiring players. You may have noticed that six of his former Cowboys were brought in (cornerback Nate Jones, free safety Keith Davis, linebacker Akin Ayodele, nose tackle Jason Ferguson––who also played for Parcells as a Jet––tight end Sean Ryan––who was in Dallas in ’06––and tight end Anthony Fasano).
Parcells will also install younger free agents who haven’t played for him but could possibly find a modest role within his paradigm. This year’s crop includes guard Justin Smiley, defensive tackle Randy Starks, linebacker Reggie Torbor, quarterback Josh McCown and receiver Ernest Wilford.
Understand that none of these players are building blocks. Rather, they’re merely bivouacs in place while the general reconfigures his infantry through the draft. Parcells’s damage is done during his reconnaissance across college campuses. He’s one of the great talent evaluators of this era, and he’s a master at getting what he wants on Draft Day.
This year, he had the luxury of picking first overall. Unimpressed by the skill players at the top of the ’08 rookie class, Parcells chose a guy he expects to be a “10-year left tackle”: Jake Long. The Michigan product arrives NFL-ready, though he may experience some mild growing pains with the speed of the pro game.
After Long, Parcells plucked a prototypical 3-4 defensive end––Clemson’s Phillip Merling––to be the cornerstone of his front seven. Expect Merling to be the first of five new front seven defenders brought in by Parcells over the next two or three years.
As great as last year’s second-round pick John Beck has looked taking sacks and dumping the ball off underneath, Parcells reckoned he needed a quarterback. Oddly enough, he does not have a model for this position. With the Giants, Parcells won Super Bowls with superstar Phil Simms and backup Jeff Hostetler. In New England, he had No. 1 overall pick Drew Bledsoe. With the Jets, he had veteran Vinny Testaverde (a former No. 1 pick but career-long game manager). In Dallas, Parcells reached the playoffs with developmental project Quincy Carter, brought back Testaverde and Bledsoe, then ultimately hung his hat on undrafted Tony Romo.
All Parcells wants in a signalcaller is dependability. He liked Michigan’s Chad Henne enough to draft him in Round Two. Henne was a four-year starter for the Wolverines and possesses classic NFL pocket passing tools. He’ll be given every opportunity to win the first string job, even if he begins the season behind placeholder Josh McCown.
Very revealing is the fact that, aside from guard Shawn Murphy, all of Miami’s other rookies are developmental projects. There’s defensive lineman Kendall Langford from Hampton. There are running backs Jalen Parmele from the Mid-American Conference and Lex Hilliard from the 1-AA ranks. Sixth-round guard Donald Thomas was once a walk-on at Connecticut; he didn’t even play football in high school.
Building from seemingly below the ground up––and realizing that although roughly 25 percent of the roster has been overhauled, at least another 60 percent still needs to be replaced––one might think that Miami’s return to prosperity won’t arrive until shortly after hover cars hit the market. But Parcells works quickly. At all four of his previous NFL stops, his team had registered a winning record by the end of his second year.
Of course, at all four of those stops, the acerbic coach didn’t sit in a suite on Sundays.
Offense
It’s never a good sign when there’s a three-way competition for the starting quarterback job. Parcells is famous for saying that if you have two quarterbacks who can play, it means you don’t have one. In this sense, his team has negative one.
Three-way quarterback competitions usually involve two guys dueling for the job and one guy being given P.C. reps by the coaching staff. That does not appear to be the case here. Josh McCown, John Beck and Chad Henne really are all in contention. Each brings a different wrinkle to the formula.
In McCown, the Dolphins have a guy well-versed in holding down the fort under center. McCown was a fringe starter at times in Arizona and Oakland (he also had a one-year stint as a benchwarmer in Detroit). He is athletic enough to bootleg outside, though he scares no one. If Miami wants a player who can execute the offense and give them a chance to eke out immediate wins, they’ll go with him.
Beck’s chances of starting could be tied to the fact that it’s hard to give up on a second-round pick who has only been in the league for one year. After all, the BYU product is jittery in the pocket and, despite being 27, callow in his reads. But the new coaching staff has been impressed with Beck’s work ethic. Quarterbacks coach David Lee tinkered with Beck’s throwing motion and was encouraged with the results.
Still, it is highly unlikely that Miami would choose the previous regime’s second-round passer over their own. For this reason, Henne is favored to assume the long-term reins for the Dolphins. Henne shows good leadership skills but must first solidify his grasp of Tony Sparano and Chad Henning’s playbook. Considering his mediocre decision-making at Michigan, Henne seems likely to learn from the sidelines early in the season.
Not helping whoever is under center is Miami’s putrid receiving corps. Interstate-95 pickup Ernest Wilford started 37 games in his four years at Jacksonville, including 26 over ’06 and ’07. However, he has never caught more than 45 passes in a season. Wilford has the Keyshawn Johnson-like size that Henning and Parcells covet. But, also like Keyshawn, he has limited spring in his step. Keyshawn survived on polished route running; Wilford is average in and out of his breaks.
He’s still a better route runner than second-year pro Ted Ginn Jr. Burdened with high expectations as the 10th overall pick, Ginn did not set South Beach on fire as a rookie. He had only one catch over 40 yards. Dolphin fans must be patient with the electrifying ex-Buckeye. Ginn has the speed and elusiveness to make defenders miss––he just needs time to learn the nuances of the game. Of course, there’s no guarantee he will.
Logic says that Ginn should be constricted to the slot in 2008. However, with the only experienced receivers on the roster being Greg Camarillo, David Kircus and Derek Hagan, Miami’s hands are tied. Camarillo can make the occasional big play, but he’s a bubble guy. So is Kircus. Hagan, a third-round pick in ’06, shows some promise, but not enough to warrant a starting job. Besides, he’s a more limited possession receiver than Wilford.
Ginn can slide into the slot in three-receiver sets, though don’t be shocked if he stays outside in order to make room for undrafted rookie Davone Bess. The prolific lightning bolt from Hawaii has sticky hands and superb quickness.
The Dolphins will receive minimal contributions from their tight ends in the passing game. Former Cowboy Anthony Fasano, a second-round pick by Parcells in ’06, figures to replace struggling David Martin in the starting lineup. Fasano is a standout blocker, but he lacks finesse with the ball in his hands. Martin is simply too inconsistent.
The questions with the aerial attack reaffirm Sparano and Henning’s commitment to running the ball. The Dolphins will be a rock-pounding club in 2008, which is why they’re monitoring Ronnie Brown closely. The fourth-year pro is coming off ACL surgery. He ran with more assertiveness in 2007, and prior to going down last October, Brown was leading the NFL in total offense, However, playing on a mended knee, Brown will have to rediscover his confidence. This could be an issue, especially early on.
Who would have ever thought that Miami would be relying heavily on a 31-year-old Ricky Williams? Indeed, the mercurial former Heisman Trophy winner is looking to prove himself in the final year of his contract. Drug use and a torn pectoral muscle last year have limited Williams to just three starts over the last four seasons. He’s only carried the ball six times since 2005. That said, Williams was reportedly the most impressive Dolphin offensive player in minicamps and OTA’s.
Brown and Williams will have plenty of escorts on the ground this year. The Dolphins will incorporate Fasano and 270-pound fullback Reagan Mauia (or former Chiefs fullback Boomer Grigsby) into many of their run-blocking schemes. Expect most of the runs to travel left. That’s where No. 1 overall pick Jake Long (tackle) and free agent headliner Justin Smiley (guard) reside. Smiley is a natural right guard, but Sparano––an offensive line connoisseur––wants the fifth-year pro to help ease Long’s transition to the pro game.
This leaves a spot open at right guard. Ideally, fourth-round rookie Shawn Murphy will fill it. Murphy is a resolute competitor, but he played defensive line until his junior season at Utah State. Because he’s still learning the guard position, Miami considered going with tackle Trey Darilek, a former backup for Sparano in Dallas. However, sixth-round rookie Donald Thomas showed such great power early on that he appears to have the inside track. There’s also Steve McKinney, though the Dolphins see no point in giving reps to an 11th-year veteran at this point.
Center Samson Satele earned a passing grade as a second-round rookie in his 16 starts last season. Having played in a spread offense at Hawaii, there are still concerns about Satele’s ability to hold up as an NFL run-blocker. He struggles when defenders line up directly over him. But Satele has the mobility to lead-block in space, and his elevated awareness and partnership with the fairly-athletic Smiley should lead to noticeable improvements in 2008.
Former first-round pick Vernon Carey is back in his home at right tackle. Carey is somewhat lethargic, thought that’s just part of being a 335-pounder. He is overpowering in a phone booth and will punish defenders who come at him off balance.
Defense
This was a diarrheic defense last season, which is to say, it couldn’t stop the run. Miami surrendered a league-worst 153.5 yards per game on the ground. Ostensibly, having four new front seven starters will bring about change––and given where this group was last year, any change figures to be in a forward direction. Then again, one of the new starters––likely Charlie Anderson––will be replacing future Hall of Famer Jason Taylor.
Anderson is a career-long special teamer. He’ll end up back on the bench if converted defensive end Quentin Moses develops. Moses was a third-round draft choice of the Raiders last year but got cut prior to the season (something bizarre must have happened there). The 260-pounder is a splendid athlete. He improved throughout the season in ’07 but needs to develop more comfort in space.
Playing at right outside linebacker is Joey Porter, who is eager to rebound from a tepid first year in Miami. At 31, Porter has lost a bit of his oomph, though he’s still capable of posting a few sacks.
Miami’s linebacking strength is inside. Parcells loves Channing Crowder. The pliant fourth-year pro will almost certainly lead the team in tackles in ’08, but he must take better angles to the ball. Akin Ayodele has great size (6’2’, 250) to fill against the run. His familiarity with this scheme from his stint in Dallas should give him the edge over underappreciated ex-Giant Reggie Torbor.
Miami won’t need to have linebackers putting their hands in the dirt again this season. The team drafted Phillip Merling in the second round, plus they still have Vonnie Holliday and Matt Roth. Both Holliday and Roth are on thin ice––the former because he’s 32 and the latter because he’s a defensive lineman-linebacker tweener but not of the pass-rushing ilk. If third-year pro Rodrique Wright can ever stay healthy, Holliday or Roth could be forgotten.
Third-round rookie Kendall Langford is a developmental project from Hampton. He’s expected to provide run-stopping prowess, perhaps even at the tackle position. He’ll have to expand his 282-pound frame to play the nose though. Currently, Miami has veteran Jason Ferguson slated to line up over center. Ferguson turns 34 in November and missed 15 games with a torn triceps in ’07. Still, he’s a Parcells guy.
The Dolphins don’t have a lot of other options inside. Randy Starks was signed from Tennessee, but he’s never found an identity at the pro level (some believe an inconsistent motor could be to blame). Last year’s fourth-round pick Paul Soliai was a major disappointment. Considering the new regime’s fondness for undrafted rookie Anthony Toribio, Soliai could be shown the door in the very near future.
The Dolphins secondary is littered with decent-but-not-outstanding players. Cornerback Will Allen is the best of the bunch, though he’ll never get the credit he deserves, simply because he doesn’t make a lot of interceptions. Instead, Allen focuses on doing exactly what a corner is supposed to do: stopping wide receivers. He has a good feel for playing man coverage, and he rarely gets burned.
If Michael Lehan is healthy, he’s likely the No. 2. But Lehan, like fellow corner Andre Goodman, lacks the quickness and technique to make sudden plays on the ball. Both men will compete with inconsistent extraordinaires Travis Daniels and Nate Jones.
There are five players vying for two starting safety jobs. The front runner has to be Jason Allen on the grounds that he was a first-round pick in 2006 and finally alighted on his comfort zone last season. Allen is a superb athlete who can play cornerback in nickel and dime packages. In those instances, former Falcon Chris Crocker would line up at free safety. Crocker is a ho-hum run-defender, but he’s capable of picking off the deep ball.
Technically, Renaldo Hill is the incumbent starter at free safety. He manned the position in ’06 before blowing out his knee in October ’07. Hill faces an arduous task of reclaiming his job, but he’s always managed to exceed expectations in his eight-year career.
Yeremiah Bell would be an upper echelon strong safety if not for his vulnerability to the injury bug. It bit hard last September when he tore his left Achilles in the season opener. That is a difficult injury to bounce back from, but Bell is favored to beat out hard-hitting ex-Cowboy Keith Davis.
Special Teams
Kicker Jay Feely is a highly-respected veteran who shows solid accuracy. He reportedly improved his range over the offseason. The Dolphins ranked 30th in kick coverage last year, so kickoff depth will be a priority.
Brandon Fields averaged a decent 43.2 yards per punt as a seventh-round rookie in ’07. He had only 10 punts fall inside the 20, though in fairness to him, he was not often kicking from optimum field position.
Ted Ginn Jr. was drafted for his return prowess more than anything. After one year, the jury’s still deliberating. We know he’s good––the question is, do teams fear him? Ginn took a punt 87 yards to the house last season. But, as was the case in his kick returns, he tended to dance too much.
Bottom Line
A paucity of talent at the skill positions really plagued this team last year. Having Ronnie Brown healthy and someone new under center helps, but not enough. No biggie––the rest of the roster is under construction anyway. Parcells knows this….he’ll take care of it.
Myth Buster
Matt Roth is no good
Roth is a fine player who is miscast in a 3-4 scheme. He was worthy of his second-round draft status coming out of Iowa, though it didn’t make sense for Nick Saban to bring him here. That’s the Saban era for ya.
Roth is a high-energy player who shows an excellent combination of quickness and strength. The problem is, he is a short-armed 272-pounder with 6’4” height, making him too small to play defensive end and too big to play linebacker.
Roth’s offseason arrest in Iowa for public intoxication irritated the team, though if he were a better fit in this scheme, it wouldn’t jeopardize his roster spot. If Roth gets cut, it will be because he was misused. It will also mean that a very good 4-3 defensive end will be available at a reduced price.
Open Thought
The Dolphins have to be the most nondescript classic franchise in the NFL. Think about it: a prominent team at the time of the 1970 merger, authors of the only undefeated season, five Super Bowl appearances, 12 division titles and quarterbacking legend Dan Marino. The Dolphins are rich with NFL history.
Yet, when people think of classic NFL clubs, when does this one come to mind? Usually after the Packers, Bears, 49ers, Cowboys, Steelers, and Giants. And maybe even Colts. The chimes of Sam Spence’s NFL Films music rarely evoke thoughts of the Dolphins. There’s little football purity associated with this team.
This could be because Miami is not a classic American town. It’s a tropical climate city that features a lot of Latin American culture. And it’s located on the southern edge of the continental U.S.
By Andy Benoit, www.NFLTouchdown.com
Predicted: 4th
2007 Record: 1-15 (4th AFC East)
Head Coach: Tony Sparano (1st year)
Roster Quick View
*rookie
**new veteran
Offense
QB: Josh McCown** His starting experience gives him a mild edge over John Beck and Chad Henne in the quarterback competition. Not a long-term option though.
RB: Ronnie Brown Was leading the league in yards from scrimmage before tearing his ACL last October. Speedy recovery, but must regain trust in his knee.
FB: Reagan Mauia His 270-pound weight gives him power, but he’s still learning the position. Fortunately for him, so is backup Boomer Grigsby.
WR: Ernest Wilford** Parcells and offensive coordinator Chad Henning love big, strong WR’s––even those without first-rate athleticism.
WR: Ted Ginn Jr. Did not quiet the critics last season. But this is a new year with a new quarterback, new coaching staff and new playbook.
TE: Anthony Fasano** Not as good as the South Florida media is making him out to be (constricted as a receiver). Still, a serviceable blocker.
LT: Jake Long* The only other OT ever drafted No. 1 is Orlando Pace. Dolphins would be thrilled if their guy reached that level.
LG: Justin Smiley** Was signed the second free agency began. Offers solid strength and mobility, but must prove that his shoulder is healthy and his skills are suitable for the left side.
C: Samson Satele Second-year player who still has a few seasons left in his development process. Capable of starting in the meantime, but needs plenty of support.
RG: Donald Thomas* Didn’t even play football in high school. Has been a huge surprise in camp, which is why he’s on track to beat out higher-drafted rookie Shawn Murphy.
RT: Vernon Carey Miscast at LT last season, though did okay. Plays the game a lot like Jabba the Hut might play (not meant as an insult).
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QB: John Beck Best case scenario is he makes a career as a solid No. 2 QB. Too jittery to tinker with in the starting lineup and, at 27, too old to have great “potential.”
RB: Ricky Williams In the final year of his NFL-mandated minimum salary contract. Was smoking hot in the offseason activities. Should have a fairly prominent role in 2008.
WR: Derek Hagan Doesn’t drop passes like he used to. Limited speed and 6’2”, 203-pound size make him a possession receiver.
WR: Greg Camarillo A poor man’s––very poor man’s––Wes Welker. Doubtful he’ll be able to beat out undrafted rookie Davone Bess.
TE: David Martin Struggled mightily last season, in part because the Dolphins asked him to block so much.
OL: Steve McKinney** Can play G or C, but with this season being a long-term rebuilding project, there’s no point in starting an average 11th-year veteran.
Defense
LDE: Vonnie Holliday Playing time dropped dramatically last season. Considering he’s 32 and surrounded by rising prospects, could see more of the same in ’08.
NT: Jason Ferguson** Was with Parcells in New York (Jets) and Dallas. Somewhat undersized for NT and coming off a torn triceps, but overall, not a terrible option.
RDE: Phillip Merling* Drafted 32nd overall; scouts love his motor. Experienced at a multitude of D-line positions.
LOLB: Charlie Anderson** Special teams stalwart who has three sacks in his four-year career. The man he’s replacing had 117 career sacks.
LILB: Akin Ayodele** Played for this coaching staff in Big D, which gives him a mild advantage over Reggie Torbor in starting competition. Can be stout against the run.
RILB: Channing Crowder Fluid athlete, but taking over for Zach Thomas does not make him the next Zach Thomas.
ROLB: Joey Porter Expected to perform better now that he’ll be used in a more natural freelance role. Still, double digit sack total is highly unlikely.
CB: Will Allen Not a playmaker, but very solid man defender who really understands how to play the CB position.
SS: Yeremiah Bell Compelling talent who has been plagued by injuries throughout his four-year career. Coming off blown Achilles and trying to prove himself in a one-year deal.
FS: Jason Allen Nice speed and serviceable run-stopping ability. Starting job is not a lock, though he’s all but guaranteed a role in nickel packages.
CB: Michael Lehan High-character veteran who survives despite questionable hip swivel.
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DL: Randy Starks** Never lived up to potential in Tennessee. Why would he flourish here now that he’s been paid?
LB: Reggie Torbor** Should have been given more opportunities with the Giants. His inexperience in a 3-4 could hinder him early on.
NB: Andre Goodman Decent veteran, but isn’t going to make any QB think twice.
Key Players Acquired
LB Charlie Anderson (Hou)
LB Akin Ayodele (Dal)
S Chris Crocker (Atl)
S Keith Davis (Dal)
TE Anthony Fasano (Dal)
FB Boomer Grigsby (Mia)
NT Jason Ferguson (Dal)
CB Nate Jones (Dal)
QB Josh McCown (Oak)
OL Steve McKinney (Hou)
WR Tab Perry (Cin)
TE Sean Ryan (NYJ)
G Justin Smiley (SF)
DT Randy Starks (Ten)
LB Reggie Torbor (NYG)
WR Ernest Wilford (Jax)
Key Players Lost
RB Lorenzo Booker (Phi)
WR Marty Booker (Chi)
RB Jesse Chatman (NYJ)
G Rex Hadnot (Cle)
OL Cory Lekkerkerker (Dal)
QB Cleo Lemon (Jax)
LB Derrick Pope (Min)
OT L.J. Shelton (SD)
LB Zach Thomas (Dal)
DE Jason Taylor (Was)
OL Joe Toledo (SF)
DT Keith Traylor
S Cameron Worrell (NYJ)
Bill Parcells does not mess around. He prefers players whom he’s familiar with, which is why six of Miami’s acquisitions have played for him before. Of the players brought in, only three are clear-cut starters: Ferguson, Smiley and Wilford. However, as many as 13 of these guys could push for serious playing time. Of the players lost, obviously Thomas and Taylor are the big names. Both had something left, but there’s no sense in forcing them into what is obviously a substantial rebuilding project.
2008 - Miami Dolphins
Rd Sel # Player Position School
1 1 Jake Long T Michigan
2 32 Phillip Merling DE Clemson
2 57 Chad Henne QB Michigan
3 66 Kendall Langford DE Hampton
4 110 Shawn Murphy T Utah State
6 176 Jalen Parmele RB Toledo
6 195 Donald Thomas G Connecticut
6 204 Lex Hilliard RB Montana
7 245 Lionel Dotson DT Arizona
Every No. 1 pick is expected to be a superstar. However, not all of them materialize. Even the OT position can generate high-drafted disappointments (Oakland’s Robert Gallery or Buffalo’s Mike Williams, for example). The spotlight’s on Long. Merling is an intriguing prospect because he’s a great fit for a 3-4 DE job. Henne had four years of starting experience in the Big Ten but still must improve his decision-making if he wants to succeed in the NFL. Expect him to start before the season is over. Langford is a run-stopper who could be molded into a developmental DT. He’ll have to put on weight though. Murphy figured to start at G very soon, but Thomas has outperformed him thus far. The rest of the rookies figure to add depth.
Miami Dolphins 2008 Preview Report
Only Bill Parcells could be retired, move to South Florida and undertake a laborious NFL rebuilding effort. The soon-to-be 69-year-old left Dallas in ’07 and went all of one year without feeding his football addiction. To his credit, he did not jump back into the coaching ranks.
So here we go again––another Parcells reclamation project. This is the fifth one. With Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga having no ego and being in the process of turning the team over to Stephen Ross, it’s clearly the Big Tuna’s show in Miami. Nothing about this is new. This isn’t even the first time that the future Hall of Famer has inherited a 1-15 AFC East team. You may remember, Parcells took over the hapless Jets in 1997. He made them a nine-win club right away, then led them to the AFC championship the following year.
Of course, that AFC East division did not feature a dynastic Patriots franchise (which, by the way, given Bill Belichick’s NFL upbringing, is something the Big Tuna had a slight hand in as well). Nine wins is simply unrealistic for these Dolphins. In fact, any numerical expectations for 2008 seem almost pointless. The bottom line is, Parcells builds winners––which is exactly what the Miami Dolphins will be once he’s done.
So how does he do it?
For starters, he uses his own Rolodex. Parcells favors the familiar. He hired former Cowboys VP of scouting Jeff Ireland to be his GM (aka right hand man). Then, he brought in his offensive line coach and one-time play-caller in Dallas, Tony Sparano, to replace Cam Cameron. Sparano is a Parcells yes man––which, in this case, is a good thing. (If you’re working for Parcells, it means you inherently think like him anyway.)
Sparano’s coaching staff is rich with former Cowboys assistants. There are five in all, including defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. The offensive coordinator is Dan Henning. Henning’s ties to Parcells date back to 1970, when the two were young New Yorkers working as assistant coaches at Florida State. They were last together for a brief stint with the Jets.
After Parcells entrenches a like-minded coaching staff, he implements the game plan. Almost always, it involves a ball-control offense (which Sparano and Henning run) and an over-sized 3-4 defense.
Strategy in place, the Big Tuna then conducts the roster purge. In this case, there were no boundaries (a one-win season can be very emetic). Seemingly, the longer a player had been with the Dolphins organization, the more expendable he was (hence the removal of Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor). Parcells does not like dealing with longtime veterans he has no history with––such players are too hard to remold.
After dumping roughly one-fourth of the roster, Parcells begins to fill the holes. This is where it gets interesting. His predilection for the familiar also persists when he’s acquiring players. You may have noticed that six of his former Cowboys were brought in (cornerback Nate Jones, free safety Keith Davis, linebacker Akin Ayodele, nose tackle Jason Ferguson––who also played for Parcells as a Jet––tight end Sean Ryan––who was in Dallas in ’06––and tight end Anthony Fasano).
Parcells will also install younger free agents who haven’t played for him but could possibly find a modest role within his paradigm. This year’s crop includes guard Justin Smiley, defensive tackle Randy Starks, linebacker Reggie Torbor, quarterback Josh McCown and receiver Ernest Wilford.
Understand that none of these players are building blocks. Rather, they’re merely bivouacs in place while the general reconfigures his infantry through the draft. Parcells’s damage is done during his reconnaissance across college campuses. He’s one of the great talent evaluators of this era, and he’s a master at getting what he wants on Draft Day.
This year, he had the luxury of picking first overall. Unimpressed by the skill players at the top of the ’08 rookie class, Parcells chose a guy he expects to be a “10-year left tackle”: Jake Long. The Michigan product arrives NFL-ready, though he may experience some mild growing pains with the speed of the pro game.
After Long, Parcells plucked a prototypical 3-4 defensive end––Clemson’s Phillip Merling––to be the cornerstone of his front seven. Expect Merling to be the first of five new front seven defenders brought in by Parcells over the next two or three years.
As great as last year’s second-round pick John Beck has looked taking sacks and dumping the ball off underneath, Parcells reckoned he needed a quarterback. Oddly enough, he does not have a model for this position. With the Giants, Parcells won Super Bowls with superstar Phil Simms and backup Jeff Hostetler. In New England, he had No. 1 overall pick Drew Bledsoe. With the Jets, he had veteran Vinny Testaverde (a former No. 1 pick but career-long game manager). In Dallas, Parcells reached the playoffs with developmental project Quincy Carter, brought back Testaverde and Bledsoe, then ultimately hung his hat on undrafted Tony Romo.
All Parcells wants in a signalcaller is dependability. He liked Michigan’s Chad Henne enough to draft him in Round Two. Henne was a four-year starter for the Wolverines and possesses classic NFL pocket passing tools. He’ll be given every opportunity to win the first string job, even if he begins the season behind placeholder Josh McCown.
Very revealing is the fact that, aside from guard Shawn Murphy, all of Miami’s other rookies are developmental projects. There’s defensive lineman Kendall Langford from Hampton. There are running backs Jalen Parmele from the Mid-American Conference and Lex Hilliard from the 1-AA ranks. Sixth-round guard Donald Thomas was once a walk-on at Connecticut; he didn’t even play football in high school.
Building from seemingly below the ground up––and realizing that although roughly 25 percent of the roster has been overhauled, at least another 60 percent still needs to be replaced––one might think that Miami’s return to prosperity won’t arrive until shortly after hover cars hit the market. But Parcells works quickly. At all four of his previous NFL stops, his team had registered a winning record by the end of his second year.
Of course, at all four of those stops, the acerbic coach didn’t sit in a suite on Sundays.
Offense
It’s never a good sign when there’s a three-way competition for the starting quarterback job. Parcells is famous for saying that if you have two quarterbacks who can play, it means you don’t have one. In this sense, his team has negative one.
Three-way quarterback competitions usually involve two guys dueling for the job and one guy being given P.C. reps by the coaching staff. That does not appear to be the case here. Josh McCown, John Beck and Chad Henne really are all in contention. Each brings a different wrinkle to the formula.
In McCown, the Dolphins have a guy well-versed in holding down the fort under center. McCown was a fringe starter at times in Arizona and Oakland (he also had a one-year stint as a benchwarmer in Detroit). He is athletic enough to bootleg outside, though he scares no one. If Miami wants a player who can execute the offense and give them a chance to eke out immediate wins, they’ll go with him.
Beck’s chances of starting could be tied to the fact that it’s hard to give up on a second-round pick who has only been in the league for one year. After all, the BYU product is jittery in the pocket and, despite being 27, callow in his reads. But the new coaching staff has been impressed with Beck’s work ethic. Quarterbacks coach David Lee tinkered with Beck’s throwing motion and was encouraged with the results.
Still, it is highly unlikely that Miami would choose the previous regime’s second-round passer over their own. For this reason, Henne is favored to assume the long-term reins for the Dolphins. Henne shows good leadership skills but must first solidify his grasp of Tony Sparano and Chad Henning’s playbook. Considering his mediocre decision-making at Michigan, Henne seems likely to learn from the sidelines early in the season.
Not helping whoever is under center is Miami’s putrid receiving corps. Interstate-95 pickup Ernest Wilford started 37 games in his four years at Jacksonville, including 26 over ’06 and ’07. However, he has never caught more than 45 passes in a season. Wilford has the Keyshawn Johnson-like size that Henning and Parcells covet. But, also like Keyshawn, he has limited spring in his step. Keyshawn survived on polished route running; Wilford is average in and out of his breaks.
He’s still a better route runner than second-year pro Ted Ginn Jr. Burdened with high expectations as the 10th overall pick, Ginn did not set South Beach on fire as a rookie. He had only one catch over 40 yards. Dolphin fans must be patient with the electrifying ex-Buckeye. Ginn has the speed and elusiveness to make defenders miss––he just needs time to learn the nuances of the game. Of course, there’s no guarantee he will.
Logic says that Ginn should be constricted to the slot in 2008. However, with the only experienced receivers on the roster being Greg Camarillo, David Kircus and Derek Hagan, Miami’s hands are tied. Camarillo can make the occasional big play, but he’s a bubble guy. So is Kircus. Hagan, a third-round pick in ’06, shows some promise, but not enough to warrant a starting job. Besides, he’s a more limited possession receiver than Wilford.
Ginn can slide into the slot in three-receiver sets, though don’t be shocked if he stays outside in order to make room for undrafted rookie Davone Bess. The prolific lightning bolt from Hawaii has sticky hands and superb quickness.
The Dolphins will receive minimal contributions from their tight ends in the passing game. Former Cowboy Anthony Fasano, a second-round pick by Parcells in ’06, figures to replace struggling David Martin in the starting lineup. Fasano is a standout blocker, but he lacks finesse with the ball in his hands. Martin is simply too inconsistent.
The questions with the aerial attack reaffirm Sparano and Henning’s commitment to running the ball. The Dolphins will be a rock-pounding club in 2008, which is why they’re monitoring Ronnie Brown closely. The fourth-year pro is coming off ACL surgery. He ran with more assertiveness in 2007, and prior to going down last October, Brown was leading the NFL in total offense, However, playing on a mended knee, Brown will have to rediscover his confidence. This could be an issue, especially early on.
Who would have ever thought that Miami would be relying heavily on a 31-year-old Ricky Williams? Indeed, the mercurial former Heisman Trophy winner is looking to prove himself in the final year of his contract. Drug use and a torn pectoral muscle last year have limited Williams to just three starts over the last four seasons. He’s only carried the ball six times since 2005. That said, Williams was reportedly the most impressive Dolphin offensive player in minicamps and OTA’s.
Brown and Williams will have plenty of escorts on the ground this year. The Dolphins will incorporate Fasano and 270-pound fullback Reagan Mauia (or former Chiefs fullback Boomer Grigsby) into many of their run-blocking schemes. Expect most of the runs to travel left. That’s where No. 1 overall pick Jake Long (tackle) and free agent headliner Justin Smiley (guard) reside. Smiley is a natural right guard, but Sparano––an offensive line connoisseur––wants the fifth-year pro to help ease Long’s transition to the pro game.
This leaves a spot open at right guard. Ideally, fourth-round rookie Shawn Murphy will fill it. Murphy is a resolute competitor, but he played defensive line until his junior season at Utah State. Because he’s still learning the guard position, Miami considered going with tackle Trey Darilek, a former backup for Sparano in Dallas. However, sixth-round rookie Donald Thomas showed such great power early on that he appears to have the inside track. There’s also Steve McKinney, though the Dolphins see no point in giving reps to an 11th-year veteran at this point.
Center Samson Satele earned a passing grade as a second-round rookie in his 16 starts last season. Having played in a spread offense at Hawaii, there are still concerns about Satele’s ability to hold up as an NFL run-blocker. He struggles when defenders line up directly over him. But Satele has the mobility to lead-block in space, and his elevated awareness and partnership with the fairly-athletic Smiley should lead to noticeable improvements in 2008.
Former first-round pick Vernon Carey is back in his home at right tackle. Carey is somewhat lethargic, thought that’s just part of being a 335-pounder. He is overpowering in a phone booth and will punish defenders who come at him off balance.
Defense
This was a diarrheic defense last season, which is to say, it couldn’t stop the run. Miami surrendered a league-worst 153.5 yards per game on the ground. Ostensibly, having four new front seven starters will bring about change––and given where this group was last year, any change figures to be in a forward direction. Then again, one of the new starters––likely Charlie Anderson––will be replacing future Hall of Famer Jason Taylor.
Anderson is a career-long special teamer. He’ll end up back on the bench if converted defensive end Quentin Moses develops. Moses was a third-round draft choice of the Raiders last year but got cut prior to the season (something bizarre must have happened there). The 260-pounder is a splendid athlete. He improved throughout the season in ’07 but needs to develop more comfort in space.
Playing at right outside linebacker is Joey Porter, who is eager to rebound from a tepid first year in Miami. At 31, Porter has lost a bit of his oomph, though he’s still capable of posting a few sacks.
Miami’s linebacking strength is inside. Parcells loves Channing Crowder. The pliant fourth-year pro will almost certainly lead the team in tackles in ’08, but he must take better angles to the ball. Akin Ayodele has great size (6’2’, 250) to fill against the run. His familiarity with this scheme from his stint in Dallas should give him the edge over underappreciated ex-Giant Reggie Torbor.
Miami won’t need to have linebackers putting their hands in the dirt again this season. The team drafted Phillip Merling in the second round, plus they still have Vonnie Holliday and Matt Roth. Both Holliday and Roth are on thin ice––the former because he’s 32 and the latter because he’s a defensive lineman-linebacker tweener but not of the pass-rushing ilk. If third-year pro Rodrique Wright can ever stay healthy, Holliday or Roth could be forgotten.
Third-round rookie Kendall Langford is a developmental project from Hampton. He’s expected to provide run-stopping prowess, perhaps even at the tackle position. He’ll have to expand his 282-pound frame to play the nose though. Currently, Miami has veteran Jason Ferguson slated to line up over center. Ferguson turns 34 in November and missed 15 games with a torn triceps in ’07. Still, he’s a Parcells guy.
The Dolphins don’t have a lot of other options inside. Randy Starks was signed from Tennessee, but he’s never found an identity at the pro level (some believe an inconsistent motor could be to blame). Last year’s fourth-round pick Paul Soliai was a major disappointment. Considering the new regime’s fondness for undrafted rookie Anthony Toribio, Soliai could be shown the door in the very near future.
The Dolphins secondary is littered with decent-but-not-outstanding players. Cornerback Will Allen is the best of the bunch, though he’ll never get the credit he deserves, simply because he doesn’t make a lot of interceptions. Instead, Allen focuses on doing exactly what a corner is supposed to do: stopping wide receivers. He has a good feel for playing man coverage, and he rarely gets burned.
If Michael Lehan is healthy, he’s likely the No. 2. But Lehan, like fellow corner Andre Goodman, lacks the quickness and technique to make sudden plays on the ball. Both men will compete with inconsistent extraordinaires Travis Daniels and Nate Jones.
There are five players vying for two starting safety jobs. The front runner has to be Jason Allen on the grounds that he was a first-round pick in 2006 and finally alighted on his comfort zone last season. Allen is a superb athlete who can play cornerback in nickel and dime packages. In those instances, former Falcon Chris Crocker would line up at free safety. Crocker is a ho-hum run-defender, but he’s capable of picking off the deep ball.
Technically, Renaldo Hill is the incumbent starter at free safety. He manned the position in ’06 before blowing out his knee in October ’07. Hill faces an arduous task of reclaiming his job, but he’s always managed to exceed expectations in his eight-year career.
Yeremiah Bell would be an upper echelon strong safety if not for his vulnerability to the injury bug. It bit hard last September when he tore his left Achilles in the season opener. That is a difficult injury to bounce back from, but Bell is favored to beat out hard-hitting ex-Cowboy Keith Davis.
Special Teams
Kicker Jay Feely is a highly-respected veteran who shows solid accuracy. He reportedly improved his range over the offseason. The Dolphins ranked 30th in kick coverage last year, so kickoff depth will be a priority.
Brandon Fields averaged a decent 43.2 yards per punt as a seventh-round rookie in ’07. He had only 10 punts fall inside the 20, though in fairness to him, he was not often kicking from optimum field position.
Ted Ginn Jr. was drafted for his return prowess more than anything. After one year, the jury’s still deliberating. We know he’s good––the question is, do teams fear him? Ginn took a punt 87 yards to the house last season. But, as was the case in his kick returns, he tended to dance too much.
Bottom Line
A paucity of talent at the skill positions really plagued this team last year. Having Ronnie Brown healthy and someone new under center helps, but not enough. No biggie––the rest of the roster is under construction anyway. Parcells knows this….he’ll take care of it.
Myth Buster
Matt Roth is no good
Roth is a fine player who is miscast in a 3-4 scheme. He was worthy of his second-round draft status coming out of Iowa, though it didn’t make sense for Nick Saban to bring him here. That’s the Saban era for ya.
Roth is a high-energy player who shows an excellent combination of quickness and strength. The problem is, he is a short-armed 272-pounder with 6’4” height, making him too small to play defensive end and too big to play linebacker.
Roth’s offseason arrest in Iowa for public intoxication irritated the team, though if he were a better fit in this scheme, it wouldn’t jeopardize his roster spot. If Roth gets cut, it will be because he was misused. It will also mean that a very good 4-3 defensive end will be available at a reduced price.
Open Thought
The Dolphins have to be the most nondescript classic franchise in the NFL. Think about it: a prominent team at the time of the 1970 merger, authors of the only undefeated season, five Super Bowl appearances, 12 division titles and quarterbacking legend Dan Marino. The Dolphins are rich with NFL history.
Yet, when people think of classic NFL clubs, when does this one come to mind? Usually after the Packers, Bears, 49ers, Cowboys, Steelers, and Giants. And maybe even Colts. The chimes of Sam Spence’s NFL Films music rarely evoke thoughts of the Dolphins. There’s little football purity associated with this team.
This could be because Miami is not a classic American town. It’s a tropical climate city that features a lot of Latin American culture. And it’s located on the southern edge of the continental U.S.
posted by The True GURU at
3:06 PM
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