2013 NFL Preview: Miami Dolphins
Last Season: The 2012 Miami Dolphins out-played the expectations of many, finishing at 7-9 and second in the AFC East. They picked up wins against a couple of playoff teams, Cincinnati and Seattle, along the way, mostly by playing solid defense, holding opponents to just under 20 points per game, seventh best in the league. Rookie QB Ryan Tannehill had some growing pains, but showed the potential that made him the eighth overall draft pick. A relatively uninspiring cast around him certainly didn't help. The strength of the team was definitely on the defensive side of the ball, led by Pro Bowl DE Cameron Wake, who racked up 15 sacks.
Offense: Tannehill leads a group on offense that is overall better and more dynamic than last year's offensive squad thanks to the additions the team made through free agency, adding speed and play-making ability. The biggest signing to that end was WR Mike Wallace, as good a deep threat as there is in the NFL. Tannehill will be able to use his strong arm to toss it down the field for Wallace to go and get. The 'Phins also added TE Dustin Keller to go with Brian Hartline, who was very good last season. The RB position will also see a change, with Reggie Bush out and Lamar Miller likely to take the starter's job. Miller is a speedster who played well when asked in 2012. Mike Gillislee, a rookie, will try to steal the backup job. The offensive line should be solid, led by Mike Pouncey, and with the addition of Tyson Clabo at RT.
Defense: The defense was the strength of the 2012 squad and it should be good again in the coming year. Wake is, of course, the main catalyst, proving to be one of the league's best sack artists. Randy Starks will also be back after receiving the team's franchise tag. Joining them up front is first round draft pick Dion Jordan, selected third overall. Jordan is ultra-talented, but raw as a pass rusher. Miami also made over its LB corps, signing free agents Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler this offseason. In the secondary, competition should be fierce for 1st-team reps. Brent Grimes was brought in by the team, but he's coming off an injury. Richard Marshall is the incumbent, while the Dolphins drafted Jamar Taylor in the second round and Will Davis in the third. The safeties remain the same as last season.
Why the Dolphins Will Make the Playoffs: There's little doubt that the Dolphins have more overall talent than the 2012 roster. The team went out and signed several players who will make an impact. Tannehill will make use of the new toys, and the offense will produce, while the defense, already a solid one, will be even better. Coupled with a solid draft, Miami has the talent to get back into the playoff mix this season.
Why the Dolphins Will Struggle to Equal Last Season: Miami added a lot of new faces that will take some time to gel. The Philadelphia Eagles tried building through free agency and failed spectacularly. The Dolphins are attempting to make it work, but building through the draft has been proven time and time again as the way to go. Miami's transplanted players will take time to learn to be a team, and it will cost them.
Instant Impact: The Dolphins wanted to give Tannehill a big-time weapon and did just that with the signing of Wallace. He has some flaws, including periodic bouts of the dropsies, but he is nearly unmatched in the big play department. Tannehill is going to love him, and the Dolphins will score more points overall from having him around.
Questions I Have: How quickly can Dion Jordan make an impact as a pass rusher? Can Lamar Miller step into the starter's role and look as good as he did in limited action last year? Who will step up in the secondary?
Overall: The Miami Dolphins are a hard team to predict this year. They have plenty of youth that should be improved, like Tannehill, and veteran leadership that plays at a top level, like Wake. The Patriots still rule the AFC East, but the #2 spot is there for the taking. Miami has to be considered the favorite, with an overhauled roster that should make them competitive, even with the top teams around the league. If the new additions pick up the systems and come together, the Dolphins will be a team to watch, but if they play like a bunch of spare parts slammed together hastily, they could wind up a disaster.
Offense: Tannehill leads a group on offense that is overall better and more dynamic than last year's offensive squad thanks to the additions the team made through free agency, adding speed and play-making ability. The biggest signing to that end was WR Mike Wallace, as good a deep threat as there is in the NFL. Tannehill will be able to use his strong arm to toss it down the field for Wallace to go and get. The 'Phins also added TE Dustin Keller to go with Brian Hartline, who was very good last season. The RB position will also see a change, with Reggie Bush out and Lamar Miller likely to take the starter's job. Miller is a speedster who played well when asked in 2012. Mike Gillislee, a rookie, will try to steal the backup job. The offensive line should be solid, led by Mike Pouncey, and with the addition of Tyson Clabo at RT.
Defense: The defense was the strength of the 2012 squad and it should be good again in the coming year. Wake is, of course, the main catalyst, proving to be one of the league's best sack artists. Randy Starks will also be back after receiving the team's franchise tag. Joining them up front is first round draft pick Dion Jordan, selected third overall. Jordan is ultra-talented, but raw as a pass rusher. Miami also made over its LB corps, signing free agents Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler this offseason. In the secondary, competition should be fierce for 1st-team reps. Brent Grimes was brought in by the team, but he's coming off an injury. Richard Marshall is the incumbent, while the Dolphins drafted Jamar Taylor in the second round and Will Davis in the third. The safeties remain the same as last season.
Why the Dolphins Will Make the Playoffs: There's little doubt that the Dolphins have more overall talent than the 2012 roster. The team went out and signed several players who will make an impact. Tannehill will make use of the new toys, and the offense will produce, while the defense, already a solid one, will be even better. Coupled with a solid draft, Miami has the talent to get back into the playoff mix this season.
Why the Dolphins Will Struggle to Equal Last Season: Miami added a lot of new faces that will take some time to gel. The Philadelphia Eagles tried building through free agency and failed spectacularly. The Dolphins are attempting to make it work, but building through the draft has been proven time and time again as the way to go. Miami's transplanted players will take time to learn to be a team, and it will cost them.
Instant Impact: The Dolphins wanted to give Tannehill a big-time weapon and did just that with the signing of Wallace. He has some flaws, including periodic bouts of the dropsies, but he is nearly unmatched in the big play department. Tannehill is going to love him, and the Dolphins will score more points overall from having him around.
Questions I Have: How quickly can Dion Jordan make an impact as a pass rusher? Can Lamar Miller step into the starter's role and look as good as he did in limited action last year? Who will step up in the secondary?
Overall: The Miami Dolphins are a hard team to predict this year. They have plenty of youth that should be improved, like Tannehill, and veteran leadership that plays at a top level, like Wake. The Patriots still rule the AFC East, but the #2 spot is there for the taking. Miami has to be considered the favorite, with an overhauled roster that should make them competitive, even with the top teams around the league. If the new additions pick up the systems and come together, the Dolphins will be a team to watch, but if they play like a bunch of spare parts slammed together hastily, they could wind up a disaster.
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