PFT PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS: NO. 7
As we continue our final descent (or is it ascent?) through the final seven-pack of NFL franchises, we're having a harder time drawing lines.
But still we persist -- for you, the loyal PFT reader. (Actually, we're doing it because Dante bet yours truly a case of Snapple that the things wouldn't get finished.)
Of the seven teams left, only one of them didn't make it to the playoffs in 2005. The other six made it at least as far as the divisional playoff round.
So on that basis that franchise falls out right now.
The Miami Dolphins.
We've already gotten plenty of e-mails deriding our decision to allow the Fins safe passage into the top ten. Not long ago, the franchise was in shambles. But that was before the keys were given to Nick Saban, who despite a knack for micromanagement has shown that he can get results.
How about six wins to finish the 2005 season?
Meanwhile, the Fins have beefed up the coaching staff for 2006 by adding former Texans coach Dom Capers and former Bills coach Mike Mularkey.
The roster generally has improved. On the offensive line, veteran L.J. Shelton takes over at left tackle. The rest of the initial depth chart shows Jeno James at left guard, Rex Hadnot at center, Seth McKinney at right guard, and Vernon Carey at right tackle. (McKinney, however, might end up out for the year if he needs surgery.)
Marty Booker and Chris Chambers return as the starting wideouts, with youngsters Derek Hagan and Wes Welker in line for time.
Randy McMichael is back the starting tight end, Ronnie Brown is the full-time tailback, and Fred Beasley is the fullback.
The biggest change is at the quarterback position, where Daunte Culpepper arrives from Minnesota with three surgically-repaired knee ligaments that apparently won't prevent him from playing, despite prior estimates that he might not be ready at all in 2006.
If Culpepper is back to form, the second-round pick that the team surrendered for his rights will more than balance out the second-rounder that was pissed away for A.J. Feeley in 2004. With proper coaching and a system that suits his strengths (and de-emphasizes his weaknesses), Culpepper is capable of being one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
Mularkey was able to turn Kordell Stewart into a Pro Bowler. Mularkey also rejuvenated the career of Tommy Maddox, albeit temporarily. With Culpepper, Mularkey's job is suddenly a lot easier.
On defense, the Fins are aging but still effective. Jason Taylor's recent back problems apparently aren't serious, and though the rest of the unit doesn't feature any superstars, defense is Nick Saban's specialty -- and it's a safe bet that he'll find a way to get the most out of that side of the ball, even if new Commissioner Roger Goodell were playing defensive back.
Sure, there are issues. Running back Ricky Williams is gone, maybe for the year -- maybe forever. Defensive tackle Manny Wright, a fifth-round flier in the 2005 supplemental draft, looks to be done, too.
All in all, though, the tide is rising faster than we thought it would for the Fins. In 2005, we predicted a Super Bowl championship within the first three years of the Saban era. We're sticking by that one, and wouldn't be surprised if it happens in year two.
Now for the fantasy rankings.
Quarterback: If Daunte Culpepper is healthy, he will be tough to stop. He is happy and, more importantly, motivated. We give him an A-.
Running back: Plenty of folks think that Ronnie Brown will bust out in 2006. The fact that he has a guy like Culpepper drawing safeties away from the line of scrimmage will likely make it happen. The fact that Ricky Williams isn't there to take touches away will push Brown's numbers even higher. He gets a B+.
Wide receiver: Chris Chambers put up great numbers even with Gus Frerotte and Sage Rosenfels throwing the ball. With Culpepper, Chambers could finally have a chance to have a Moss-esque season. We give Chambers a B+, maybe an A-.
Tight end: Randy McMichael gets plenty of hype, but his numbers have never been stellar. We'd go instead with a third receiver, if possible.
Defense: Middle of the pack from a statistical standpoint in 2005, the Fins were in the top ten in turnovers forced, at nearly two per game. We give them a B.
Kicker: Olindo Mare was mid-level scorer in 2005, for a mid-level offense. We expect this year's Fins to score a lot more points this time around, and so will Mare.
