AFC East Discussion: Where do Dolphins Rank?

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Just looked at the Dolphins schedule for the first time and it certainly looks daunting. It will be tough to make the playoffs, but certainly possible if certain things fall into place (quarterback play). Anyway with the preseason about to begin I wondered where Miami ranks in the division. Here's my stab at it, but I'd love to hear from other fans from our rivals. Haven't seen many of them here lately.

Coaching
1. New England
2. New York Jets
3. Miami
4. Buffalo

Comment -- Bellicheck is clearly the star here, but give Ryan props for getting the Jets to the conference title game without good quarterback play. Philibin is in a make or break season.

Quarterback
1. New England
2. Miami
3. Buffalo
4. New York

Comment --- Still a gap between Brady and the rest. How Tannehill, Manuel and Smith develop should determine what team challenges the Patriots for the division and possibly makes the playoffs. My money is on Tannehill and I don't mean that to sound homerish. I just think Tannehill has the most talent of the others and will make that next step with a new coordinator. A wildcard here is Vick. He is someone who could really help New York, but it will be interesting to see what direction the Jets go. Do they allow Smith to develop, or go with the proven vet?

Offensive Line
1. New England
2. New York
3. Buffalo
4. Miami

Comment --- Miami could move up, but has a lot of new comers here. New England and New York have playoff caliber talent. Buffalo's building here like the Dolphins.

Running Back
1. New England
2. Buffalo
3. New York
4. Miami

Comment --- This is a tough call. I went New England, but realize a lot of it is based on offensive line play. I think Spiller may be the best back in the division, but can he stay healthy. Johnson is hungry with New York so he could have a big season. The Moreno injury makes this a question mark for Miami, although the word on Miller's development is positive. The Dolphins will likely be much more committed to running the ball. It's a huge key for their season.

Wide Receiver
1. Miami
2. Buffalo
3. New England
4. New York

Comment -- Hardly a divisional strength. I think Watkins will eventually be the best receiver in the division. Miami has very good depth. New England gets a lot out of what they have. I like Dobson. Decker is a nice addition for the Jets. Hill is intriguing.

Tight End
1. New England
2. Miami
3. Buffalo
4. New York

Comment --- The two best tight ends belong to New England and Miami (Clay). Amaro could really help New York, but he is a rookie. I don't like the Dolphins depth at tight end.

Defensive Line
1. Buffalo
2. New York
3. Miami
4. New England

Comment --- A huge divisional strength. Buffalo, New York and Miami are likely all top 10 caliber on the defensive line with New England not too far behind.

Linebackers
1. New England
2. New York
3. Buffalo
4. Miami

Comment -- I may need some help here. I know Buffalo has had some injuries and it's pretty obvious Miami is at the bottom in this category.

Secondary
1. New England
2. Miami
3. Buffalo
4. New York

Comment -- The addition of Revis should really help New England. Miami has question marks, but Grimes is excellent and I think the safety combo will be good. I think this is an area that could be problematic for the Jets unless I'm missing something (possible).

Special Teams
Need help here. Is Westhoff still in New York?

 

[DolfanISS]

I think this simply will come down to which team gets the best QB play.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

Mike Westhoff retired.

I don't think your ratings are that bad, except you're probably sleeping on our DL. Cameron Wake gets no respect even on Dolphins boards, it seems.

I'd put Buffalo at #1 for RB, but that's just me.

 

[PhinFan1968]

I'd add a few categories:

Ninja Filming Crew
1. New England
2. New England
3. New England
4. New England

Self-Stated Top 5 Players

1. New York Jets
2-4. No takers

Best Canadian Team

1. Buffalo Bills
2-4. Don't count

Sorry...in all seriousness, I think your list is pretty good.

Pats are having issues at Safety (at least according to a few articles and their forums) so I'm a little different on that one...I think Miami's will be the better secondary in 2014.

That and I think Tannehill will have a better year than Brady, but Brady has earned that position until clearly removed from it.

My last slight difference would be D line...I'd swap Miami and New York, though I see no reason they can't be tops in the division this year.

 

[DolfanISS]

I dunno, our DLINE is good but Buffalo and mathematics Jets are really good there too.

 

[PhinFan1968]

Special Teams is a tough one to gauge. Kickers is relatively easy, but the rest is a toss-up. Don Jones did very well last year, and if we have him and Tripp in the mix (and god forbid, McCain), we'll have some skull-wreckers.

Punting...no question. Brandon Fields is all-pro, world-class. Denney at long-snapper is near flawless. Kickers, at least from field goal %, New England, Buffalo, New York, Miami, in that order. If Sturgis doesn't get nagging injuries this year he should be more consistent, in that case I'd make a case that our S/T is tops.

 

[SkapePhin]

Not sure how you could put the Bills below the Dolphins in terms of coaching when they swept The Dolphins last year with a 3rd string QB. I would have to say that they were outcoached.

I agree with many of your other rankings though.

EJ Manuel looked like garbage in today's preseason game.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Not sure how you could put the Bills below the Dolphins in terms of coaching when they swept The Dolphins last year with a 3rd string QB. I would have to say that they were outcoached.

I agree with many of your other rankings though.

EJ Manuel looked like garbage in today's preseason game.

I went back and forth on coaching. True, Buffalo beat Miami twice but the Dolphins did well against playoff teams and ended with a better record than the Bills. I think talent-wise the teams are pretty close so I went with Philibin there.

---------- Post added at 10:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:41 PM ----------

Special Teams is a tough one to gauge. Kickers is relatively easy, but the rest is a toss-up. Don Jones did very well last year, and if we have him and Tripp in the mix (and god forbid, McCain), we'll have some skull-wreckers.

Punting...no question. Brandon Fields is all-pro, world-class. Denney at long-snapper is near flawless. Kickers, at least from field goal %, New England, Buffalo, New York, Miami, in that order. If Sturgis doesn't get nagging injuries this year he should be more consistent, in that case I'd make a case that our S/T is tops.

Good assessment. I think Fields may be the best punter in the NFL. He is certainly consistently good and sometimes pretty spectacular. I wish Miami had a better return game, though. I don't know how the other teams stack up in that regard. Sturgis has to be better. He probably cost the team a win or two last year.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Mike Westhoff retired.

I don't think your ratings are that bad, except you're probably sleeping on our DL. Cameron Wake gets no respect even on Dolphins boards, it seems.

I'd put Buffalo at #1 for RB, but that's just me.

I think our DE's might be tops in the division. I think Buffalo and New York have the edge inside at DT. The Bills might be #1 at running back. I like Spiller a lot. I don't know who their complimentary back is. I think this is an area where Miami could move up drastically. Lazor got a lot out of the running attack in Philly so hopefully that will also be the case with Miami.

 

[123phins]

one thing i disagree on is Running Backs. bills to me are #1 followed by Jets, New England then us. Spiller paired with Jackson is just dangerous, CJ-Ivory-Powell combo could end up being the best but who knows if CJ will bounce back, and Miami obviously with the only addition to the RB's is injured they rank last.

 

[finfan54]

rankings are so stupid. especially when its all based on perception of what is...and what is not. which nobody knows just yet.

why dont you rank injuries? but what the hell....hey, lets discuss how EJ Manuel had three batted down balls in the first five minutes tonight. lol

 

[nyjunc]

Mike Westhoff retired.

I don't think your ratings are that bad, except you're probably sleeping on our DL. Cameron Wake gets no respect even on Dolphins boards, it seems.

I'd put Buffalo at #1 for RB, but that's just me.

I would put Buf #1 at RB, NYJ #2

I would put our DL at #1 too.

I see these categories and I see all 4 tams very close in many of them. The difference is NE has Brady and revis, by far the best O & D players in the division.

 

[Oraclepz]

Every thing looks fairly reasonable but i dont see how the Dolphins dont have the best DL in the Division? Thats our bread and butter and the strongest part of our team. Counting Depth who on this division has it better than us? no one in my opinion

 

[nyjunc]

Every thing looks fairly reasonable but i dont see how the Dolphins dont have the best DL in the Division? Thats our bread and butter and the strongest part of our team. Counting Depth who on this division has it better than us? no one in my opinion

at best you are #3 in DL heading into the season. You are clearly behind NYJ & Buf. that could change but on paper those teams have the edge.

 

[nick1]

at best you are #3 in DL heading into the season. You are clearly behind NYJ & Buf. that could change but on paper those teams have the edge.

Not disagreeing that's just crazy to think we have 2 double digit sack ends plus jordan, starks is a pro bowler and Mitchel is the sleeper with potential to break out. And this team is 3rd best in the division in this area