Offensive overview: For as much as the single-back "Wildcat" alignment, which originated in Miami and took the league by storm a season ago, prospered, it's merely one gadget in coordinator Dan Henning's extensive playbook. Chad Pennington remains the triggerman after his Comeback Player of the Year campaign and gets the luxury of operating behind a line that should be better with incoming C Jake Grove and a year of experience under OLT Jake Long's belt. The pecking order out wide bears much intrigue, as a boatload of youthful bodies are itching to prove their worth, even though it's a stretch to say any has star potential. The rumors regarding Ronnie Brown being on the trading block appear to be overblown. He and Ricky Williams constitute a strong backfield, and little-known Patrick Cobbs has the receiving skills to warrant more opportunities.
Defensive overview: There are question marks throughout the defense, but that's not necessarily a bad thing with the talent being in an abundance equal to the uncertainty. Atop the list of questions is how well OLB Jason Taylor will fare in his return to Miami after a one-year dalliance with the Redskins. Seeing as how Joey Porter was the only consistent presence in opponents' backfields a season ago, Taylor's ability to revert to his QB-terrorizing ways could play a central role in the defensive outlook. Additionally, more will be asked out of DEs Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling in their second seasons, with the Fins' lack of a true nose tackle necessitating greater contributions from the rest of the line. The secondary should reap the benefits from the arrival of Gibril Wilson, who, along with Yeremiah Bell, gives Miami what could be the league's most intimidating safety tandem. Less heralded rookie CB Sean Smith has the edge on first-rounder Vontae Davis in making an early dent.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2009/07/16/afc-east-training-camp-previews
Defensive overview: There are question marks throughout the defense, but that's not necessarily a bad thing with the talent being in an abundance equal to the uncertainty. Atop the list of questions is how well OLB Jason Taylor will fare in his return to Miami after a one-year dalliance with the Redskins. Seeing as how Joey Porter was the only consistent presence in opponents' backfields a season ago, Taylor's ability to revert to his QB-terrorizing ways could play a central role in the defensive outlook. Additionally, more will be asked out of DEs Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling in their second seasons, with the Fins' lack of a true nose tackle necessitating greater contributions from the rest of the line. The secondary should reap the benefits from the arrival of Gibril Wilson, who, along with Yeremiah Bell, gives Miami what could be the league's most intimidating safety tandem. Less heralded rookie CB Sean Smith has the edge on first-rounder Vontae Davis in making an early dent.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2009/07/16/afc-east-training-camp-previews
