DKphin
Active Roster
http://phinphanatic.com/2015/08/24/10-players-miami-dolphins-need-for-playoff-run/11/
CHRIS MCCAIN
RYAN TANNEHILL
I know I said that these players are not big names but there is no question that Tannehill is the key to this years success. He has had a very solid pre-season thus far and the Dolphins need that success to continue all four quarters of each game. Tannehill must develop a killer instinct and not simply settle for field goals. He is but one part of this entire offense and team but he is a vital and critical part of it.
BILLY TURNER
The Miami Dolphins offensive line is a mess right now but one player has played pretty good through the pre-season and that is Billy Turner. Turner spent all of the 2014 season watching from the sidelines, injured. He has been taking first team snaps since the beginning of camp and the Dolphins believe that he is the answer to one of their guard problems.
Turner doesn’t have the experience at this level but he has a lot of upside and potential and working between Ja’Wuan James and Mike Pouncey will help reach another level of play that is mandatory for the Dolphins success. Turner needs to protect his quarterback but that is not the only job he has in front of him. In order for the Dolphins to succeed, Turner has to be able to punch holes in the defense to give the Miami running game room.
JAMAR TAYLOR
If you watched either of the first two pre-season games you will have noticed a significant drop in play by the secondary when the starters are not in the game. That is easily said when it comes to the position of cornerback opposite Brent Grimes. On Saturday the Dolphins Jamar Taylor looked very good before hurting his knee, an injury not serious. Taylor has welcomed the challenge to become better and has shown that he can back that up.
JARVIS LANDRY
We all expect to see Jarvis Landry improve over last years rookie season but just how much is Landry needed to the success of the offense? A lot as it turns out. Landry is the one player that Ryan Tannehill can rely on. The Dolphins made several additions to the offense including Greg Jennings, Kenny Stills, and Jordan Cameron but it’s Landry who has the watchful eye of Tannehill.
EARL MITCHELL
The questions are not difficult to answer. Last year Mitchell teamed with Jared O’drick and Randy Starks to form a line that faltered against the run as the season wore on. Mitchell is returning and needs to improve his run defense. With Suh next to him Mitchell will face far more one on one’s this season and in addition will not be a focal point of opposing offenses.
How will Mitchell elevates his game up front will help the Dolphins stop the gashing rushing attack we witnessed last year late in the season. Mitchell has the ability to play well and carry the line but he won’t have to this season, he only needs to play well enough to keep offenses from making big gains.
KOA MISI
Koa Misi will start at middle linebacker for only his 2nd season. We know that last years experiment didn’t quite make everyone all warm and fuzzy. Misi says he is far more comfortable this season and that is important because it may be his last chance. There are no excuses given the formidable defensive line that Miami has in front of him.
Misi’s biggest issue to me is his indecisiveness and frankly he needs to make better reads and decisions. He has been far too inconsistent with pursuit angles and needs to work better on wrapping his tackles. We haven’t seen a whole lot from him the past two pre-season games as he has been nursing a small injury but when he is in he needs to get better and given the depth behind him, he is likely the best option for the Dolphins.
DION SIMS
Forget about Jordan Cameron for a minute. Cameron can be explosive but he can also be injured. Last season he spent most of the season out with a concussion. If Cameron fails to stay on the field this year and even if he does, the Dolphins are going to rely on Dion Sims a lot in 2015.
WALT AIKENS/MICHAEL THOMAS
Louis Delmas is gone for the season which puts the onus of safety next to Reshad Jones on the shoulders of Walt Aikens or Michael Thomas. In pre-season game two neither safety showed a tremendous amount. In fact both struggled individually. Thomas was my player to watch in 2015 earlier this year but so far hasn’t shown what I expected to see.
Aikens is entering his 2nd season and the Dolphins believe that he can be a big contributor from the safety position. His biggest obstacle right now is experience because he lacks it. Last year he too was injured as was Delmas and Thomas but this season both safeties need to not only stay healthy but impact the secondary unit.
CALEB STURGIS
There is no guarantee that Sturgis will win the job from rookie Andrew Franks but last weekend for the 2nd weekend in a row, it was Sturgis getting the field goal practice in pre-season. If Sturgis, or for that matter Franks, lines up as the teams kicker there is no question that he can win or lose a game for the Dolphins.
CHRIS MCCAIN
Chris McCain has said that he is ready for full time starting action on defense. Through two pre-season games he has mixed results. McCain is vital because the depth behind him is suspect. The Dolphins may at some point be forced to move Misi back outside and elevate Sheppard or Vigil to the middle if McCain can’t handle the duties.
