Aqua4Ever04
Active Roster
As the June 1 cuts loom near, NFL teams prepare to make their final roster adjustments. The June 1 deadline has been known to leave some big names without work heading into the summer. The teams that can snatch these players up are usually those with a good amount of cap room as the players likely demand a large salary.
This June looks good for the Miami Dolphins for many reasons. There doesn’t appear to be any casualties that would greatly effect the Dolphins. The most significant name that has popped up around Dolphins camp is Olindo Mare. For what it’s worth, Mare is overpaid. He brings a strong and powerful leg but has missed some key short yardage attempts the past couple of seasons. In 2005 Olindo missed 4 field goals of 35 yards or less. Missed field goals make anyone frustrated and Nick Saban is no exception. The past 5 seasons Mare has averaged 15 touchbacks per season. The high salary is the only reason you would look to Mare as a possible cut. However, it is very unlikely that Mare would be cut because the Dolphins are comfortable with their cap situation, and at this point there is no better replacement.
Now, the potential additions for Miami. The named that has been tossed around the most is San Diego linebacker Donnie Edwards. The Dolphins failed to add a big time name at the outside backer position in the off-season, focusing mainly on depth with Sedric Hodge. The long going turmoil between the San Diego front office and the coaching staff, is likely to lead to the cut of Edwards. The 33 year old veteran linebacker would like a long term deal to finish his career. It would be a great fit for Miami and for Edwards if he were to end up in Aqua next season.
If Edwards were to be added, he would be just another huge piece that Miami added in the off-season. Nick Saban is making quite a name for himself in Miami. Saban took control of a team who seemed as if they were in complete disarray, and in two years, has almost successfully completed the 180 degree turn. There might not be a hotter pick then Miami for the 2006 season. Saban found a team that lost it’s NFL rushing leader to early retirement, threw away draft picks for backups, had bad draft after bad draft and yet Saban has made this team a contender again. Saban had, what might be, the best draft in 2005 and did great work with what he was dealt in the 2006 draft.
Enough with seasons of past, lets talk about what everyone is buzzing about and that’s the upcoming 2006 season. In probably one of the best off-seasons Dolphin fans have ever seen, Miami also found it’s franchise quarterback that it has been searching for since the retirement of Dan Marino. We’ve seen a Fiedler, a Feely and a Frerotte. Rosenfels and Lucas both gave it a try and not a single one of them worked out. Enter Daunte Culpepper and there is a completely different focus in Miami. When you think Miami Dolphins the past 6 years, you thought great defense, strong running game and a annual December collapse. Miami now has an offense that can win a ball game. Chris Chambers had the breakout year everyone knew he was capable of with 82 catches, 1118 yards and his first pro-bowl appearance. With the season long suspension of running back Ricky Williams, expect big things for second year running back Ronnie Brown. The big question mark surrounding Brown is, can he carry the load? If he can, this offense will flourish. Daunte Culpepper tore all three major knee ligaments in 2005 but expects to start the season opener on September 7 in Pittsburgh. Other additions on offense include former pro bowl fullback Fred Beasley who will lead the way for Ronnie’s breakout season. The Dolphins have bulked the offensive line with L.J Shelton, Matt Pearson and by drafting Joe Toledo.
The defense was good last year but not great. The reason for mediocrity was poor pass coverage. All four starters will very likely be new starters to this team. Madison, Howard, Shulters and Jones are all out. Miami added veteran corner Will Allen to be the shutdown guy. While Allen suffers from bad hands, he has always been a good cover guy who can come up and make tackles. Will Poole will bounce back from his knee injury and compete with Travis Daniels for the second corner spot. Saban spent his 1st round pick on safety Jason Allen who is reportedly looking very good and is probably the front runner to start at the free safety spot. The other safety spot is up to Renaldo Hill and Deke Cooper, look for Hill to take the spot. Other additions are Andre Goodman, Kelly Campbell and Derek Hagan. Expect Hagan and Campbell to compete for the 3rd receiver spot. Marcus Vick also recieved a contract but it’s highly unlikely that he will play a down.
The 2006 season for the Miami Dolphins should be an extremely exciting one and the Fins could make a lot of noise in the upcoming season. A lot of people are questioning the trade for Daunte Culpepper and they have the right for cause for concern. But if Daunte can bounce back to 2004 form, look for the Dolphins to make a run deep into the playoffs.
This June looks good for the Miami Dolphins for many reasons. There doesn’t appear to be any casualties that would greatly effect the Dolphins. The most significant name that has popped up around Dolphins camp is Olindo Mare. For what it’s worth, Mare is overpaid. He brings a strong and powerful leg but has missed some key short yardage attempts the past couple of seasons. In 2005 Olindo missed 4 field goals of 35 yards or less. Missed field goals make anyone frustrated and Nick Saban is no exception. The past 5 seasons Mare has averaged 15 touchbacks per season. The high salary is the only reason you would look to Mare as a possible cut. However, it is very unlikely that Mare would be cut because the Dolphins are comfortable with their cap situation, and at this point there is no better replacement.
Now, the potential additions for Miami. The named that has been tossed around the most is San Diego linebacker Donnie Edwards. The Dolphins failed to add a big time name at the outside backer position in the off-season, focusing mainly on depth with Sedric Hodge. The long going turmoil between the San Diego front office and the coaching staff, is likely to lead to the cut of Edwards. The 33 year old veteran linebacker would like a long term deal to finish his career. It would be a great fit for Miami and for Edwards if he were to end up in Aqua next season.
If Edwards were to be added, he would be just another huge piece that Miami added in the off-season. Nick Saban is making quite a name for himself in Miami. Saban took control of a team who seemed as if they were in complete disarray, and in two years, has almost successfully completed the 180 degree turn. There might not be a hotter pick then Miami for the 2006 season. Saban found a team that lost it’s NFL rushing leader to early retirement, threw away draft picks for backups, had bad draft after bad draft and yet Saban has made this team a contender again. Saban had, what might be, the best draft in 2005 and did great work with what he was dealt in the 2006 draft.
Enough with seasons of past, lets talk about what everyone is buzzing about and that’s the upcoming 2006 season. In probably one of the best off-seasons Dolphin fans have ever seen, Miami also found it’s franchise quarterback that it has been searching for since the retirement of Dan Marino. We’ve seen a Fiedler, a Feely and a Frerotte. Rosenfels and Lucas both gave it a try and not a single one of them worked out. Enter Daunte Culpepper and there is a completely different focus in Miami. When you think Miami Dolphins the past 6 years, you thought great defense, strong running game and a annual December collapse. Miami now has an offense that can win a ball game. Chris Chambers had the breakout year everyone knew he was capable of with 82 catches, 1118 yards and his first pro-bowl appearance. With the season long suspension of running back Ricky Williams, expect big things for second year running back Ronnie Brown. The big question mark surrounding Brown is, can he carry the load? If he can, this offense will flourish. Daunte Culpepper tore all three major knee ligaments in 2005 but expects to start the season opener on September 7 in Pittsburgh. Other additions on offense include former pro bowl fullback Fred Beasley who will lead the way for Ronnie’s breakout season. The Dolphins have bulked the offensive line with L.J Shelton, Matt Pearson and by drafting Joe Toledo.
The defense was good last year but not great. The reason for mediocrity was poor pass coverage. All four starters will very likely be new starters to this team. Madison, Howard, Shulters and Jones are all out. Miami added veteran corner Will Allen to be the shutdown guy. While Allen suffers from bad hands, he has always been a good cover guy who can come up and make tackles. Will Poole will bounce back from his knee injury and compete with Travis Daniels for the second corner spot. Saban spent his 1st round pick on safety Jason Allen who is reportedly looking very good and is probably the front runner to start at the free safety spot. The other safety spot is up to Renaldo Hill and Deke Cooper, look for Hill to take the spot. Other additions are Andre Goodman, Kelly Campbell and Derek Hagan. Expect Hagan and Campbell to compete for the 3rd receiver spot. Marcus Vick also recieved a contract but it’s highly unlikely that he will play a down.
The 2006 season for the Miami Dolphins should be an extremely exciting one and the Fins could make a lot of noise in the upcoming season. A lot of people are questioning the trade for Daunte Culpepper and they have the right for cause for concern. But if Daunte can bounce back to 2004 form, look for the Dolphins to make a run deep into the playoffs.
