fisi
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The Dolphins short off-season has already been so full of negatives; it is interesting to think of what the Dolphins could use to become a legit contender. What do the Fins need to add to their roster to succeed on the field, taking the focus from off of it?
1-The Dolphins were the worst protected team in the league. They allowed 58 sacks last season which led the league, clearly demonstrating the offensive line issues. We know the off the field issues, the on the field are equally as frightening, leaving not one lineman safe. Bryant McKinnie, Mike Pouncey, Tyson Clabo, John Jerry and Nate Garner comprised the final representation of the Dolphins’ O line at season’s end.
The offensive line is a team within the greater team. It is rare to piece meal a line together in one off-season and have success the following season. That is why Bryant McKinnie and Tyson Clabo who both fit in solidly, after the season ended for Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito, would make sense to keep going into next season. If these two players set alongside Mike Pouncey on the line, then that leaves a necessity to fill the left and right guard spot. Nate Garner has been with the team for 6 years and has been a valued fill-in guy.
2-The next area of focus for the Dolphins should be the line-backing core. Sadly it would be the second consecutive season the Dolphins overhauled their line-backing group. Last year Karlos Dansby, one of the team leader’s, was released for consistent but unproven Dannell Ellerbe of the Ravens. Kevin Burnett was also let go for Phillip Wheeler of the Raiders. It was thought these moves would upgrade the team’s linebackers; adding speed, a playmaking ability, and ferociousness. The opposite happened.
The Dolphins should look to replace Wheeler, who was rated amongst the league’s 1/3 worst linebackers in performance. The addition of a young, athletic, playmaker to play alongside Koa Misi and Ellerbe, who has potential, solidifies the line-backing group. The Dolphins defense rated 21st in the NFL, a number that does not shed a bright light on Defensive Coordinator Kevin Coyle. The addition of a younger and hungrier linebacker will help to improve that ranking.
3-The last position the Fins need to fill is running back. The running back position is an entirely different story; the two man system was only that, because neither Lamar Miller nor Daniel Thomas proved to be a legitimate starter for the team. The Dolphins were amongst the leagues worst in rushing. They are in major need of upgrading the backfield. The improved offensive line will help the rushing numbers, but it also is important to get a running back that can block, which Miller has proven he is incapable of doing. In regard to Thomas he is not a North to South runner, and has struggled with injury issues during his short tenure with the Dolphins. The improvement of the Fins rushing attack should help an offense which only scored over 30 points once this past season.
The Dolphins seem to be not so far away. Quieting off the field issues, adding defensive playmakers, and strengthening the rushing attack could be what will bring the Dolphins back to prominence. One can only hope, especially those in South Florida.
http://cover32.com/dolphins/2014/02/28/a-few-suggestions-this-off-season-for-new-gm-dennis-hickey/
1-The Dolphins were the worst protected team in the league. They allowed 58 sacks last season which led the league, clearly demonstrating the offensive line issues. We know the off the field issues, the on the field are equally as frightening, leaving not one lineman safe. Bryant McKinnie, Mike Pouncey, Tyson Clabo, John Jerry and Nate Garner comprised the final representation of the Dolphins’ O line at season’s end.
The offensive line is a team within the greater team. It is rare to piece meal a line together in one off-season and have success the following season. That is why Bryant McKinnie and Tyson Clabo who both fit in solidly, after the season ended for Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito, would make sense to keep going into next season. If these two players set alongside Mike Pouncey on the line, then that leaves a necessity to fill the left and right guard spot. Nate Garner has been with the team for 6 years and has been a valued fill-in guy.
2-The next area of focus for the Dolphins should be the line-backing core. Sadly it would be the second consecutive season the Dolphins overhauled their line-backing group. Last year Karlos Dansby, one of the team leader’s, was released for consistent but unproven Dannell Ellerbe of the Ravens. Kevin Burnett was also let go for Phillip Wheeler of the Raiders. It was thought these moves would upgrade the team’s linebackers; adding speed, a playmaking ability, and ferociousness. The opposite happened.
The Dolphins should look to replace Wheeler, who was rated amongst the league’s 1/3 worst linebackers in performance. The addition of a young, athletic, playmaker to play alongside Koa Misi and Ellerbe, who has potential, solidifies the line-backing group. The Dolphins defense rated 21st in the NFL, a number that does not shed a bright light on Defensive Coordinator Kevin Coyle. The addition of a younger and hungrier linebacker will help to improve that ranking.
3-The last position the Fins need to fill is running back. The running back position is an entirely different story; the two man system was only that, because neither Lamar Miller nor Daniel Thomas proved to be a legitimate starter for the team. The Dolphins were amongst the leagues worst in rushing. They are in major need of upgrading the backfield. The improved offensive line will help the rushing numbers, but it also is important to get a running back that can block, which Miller has proven he is incapable of doing. In regard to Thomas he is not a North to South runner, and has struggled with injury issues during his short tenure with the Dolphins. The improvement of the Fins rushing attack should help an offense which only scored over 30 points once this past season.
The Dolphins seem to be not so far away. Quieting off the field issues, adding defensive playmakers, and strengthening the rushing attack could be what will bring the Dolphins back to prominence. One can only hope, especially those in South Florida.
http://cover32.com/dolphins/2014/02/28/a-few-suggestions-this-off-season-for-new-gm-dennis-hickey/
