RiderOnTheStorm
Starter
Dolphins unit-by-unit analysis by FOX SPORTS
Quarterback
Starter -- Daunte Culpepper.
Backups -- Joey Harrington, Cleo Lemon.
After souring on playing for Minnesota, Culpepper received his wish by maneuvering an offseason trade to the Dolphins. Almost fully recovered from the major knee injury he suffered last October, Culpepper now has to prove that a dismal 2005 season (six touchdowns, 12 interceptions) was an aberration. Harrington also is trying to start anew in Miami after being acquired in May following four disastrous seasons in Detroit. Lemon should be improved after receiving extra snaps with top-tier players in offseason practices before the arrival of Culpepper and Harrington.
Running backs
Starters -- RB Ronnie Brown, FB Fred Beasley.
Backups-- RB Sammy Morris, RB Travis Minor, FB Darian Barnes.
With RB Ricky Williams suspended for the 2006 season, Brown will be expected to carry Miami's rushing attack. Brown showed signs of being worthy of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft, but he must improve upon his 907-yard rushing output this season. The Dolphins would be in trouble if Brown gets hurt, as Morris is the only quality backup on the roster. Beasley, signed as a free agent from San Francisco, should serve as an upgrade to Barnes in the starting lineup.
Tight ends
:
Starters Randy McMichael.
Backup -- Justin Peelle.
Randy McMichael caught 25 of his 60 passes in 2005 during the final six games last season. McMichael should be even more productive in 2006 if the offensive line improves enough so that he doesn't have to stay in on passing plays to help block. Peelle, who was signed as a free agent from San Diego during the offseason, should prove an upgrade to 2005 Backup Lorenzo Diamond (released). The Dolphins don't have a solid third tight ends.
Wide Receivers
Starters -- Chris Chambers, Marty Booker.
Backups -- Wes Welker, Kelly Campbell, Derek Hagen, Devin Aromashodu.
The Dolphins should be fine as long as Chambers (82 catches for 1,118 yards in 2005) and Booker (career-best 17.6-yard average) stay healthy, as Miami has questionable depth at the position. Welker and Campbell are best used as third receivers, while it's unknown whether Hagen (third round) and/or Aromashodu (seventh) are ready to contribute as rookies.
Offensive line:
Starters -- LT L.J. Shelton, LG Jeno James, C Rex Hadnot, RG Seth McKinney, RT Vernon Carey.
Backups -- G Bennie Anderson, T Mike Pearson, T Damion McIntosh, G Joe Toledo.
Although all five Starters from last season are returning, there could be three changes made with Shelton starting, Hadnot shifting to center and McKinney (who had started at center the past two seasons) now competing against Anderson to start at right guard. McIntosh and Pearson will battle to serve as the top backup swing tackle. Although a 2006 fourth-round pick, Toledo is raw and probably will need time to develop.
Defensive line:
Starters -- LDE Kevin Carter, RDE Jason Taylor, NT Keith Traylor, DT Vonnie Holliday.
Backups -- DE Matt Roth, DT Manny Wright, DE David Bowens, DT Jeff Zgonina, DT Rodrique Wright, DT Fred Evans.
With all four starters from 2005 over the age of 30, the Dolphins are hoping youngsters like Roth and Manny Wright can develop into front-line players. Wright will have the chance to supplant the 36-year-old Traylor as Miami's starting nose tackle. Taylor is only 7.5 sacks away from 100 for his career.
Linebackers:
Starters -- SLB Donnie Spragan, MLB Zach Thomas, WLB Channing Crowder.
Backups -- Sedrick Hodge, Keith Newman, Derrick Pope, Eddie Moore.
During a solid rookie season, Crowder showcased skills that could eventually result in a move from WLB to MLB. But Thomas also hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, leading Miami in tackles for the ninth time in 10 seasons in 2005. Spragan will face competition from Hodge and Newman for his starting spot.
Defensive backs
Starters -- RCB Will Allen, LCB Travis Daniels, SS Renaldo Hill, FS Jason Allen.
Backups -- SS Travares Tillman, S Yeremiah Bell, S Deke Cooper, CB Andre' Goodman, CB Will Poole.
Besides quarterback, upgrading the secondary was Miami's main focus this offseason and is reflected in the acquisition of five new defensive backs via the draft or free agency. Will Allen wasn't spectacular in his five seasons with the New York Giants, but the Dolphins believe the 2001 first-round draft choice will prove an upgrade to the departed Sam Madison (Giants). If they can't break into the starting lineup, Tillman, Cooper and Bell would still provide outstanding safety depth.
Special teams
K Olindo Mare, P Donnie Jones, LS John Denney, KOR/PR Wes Welker.
The Dolphins fielded some of the NFL's top special teams units in 2005 thanks to the kicking of Mare and Jones, who led the NFL with a 39.3-yard average. Welker will face a challenge for his return job from Campbell. Mare could be playing his final season with the Dolphins.
Quarterback
Starter -- Daunte Culpepper.
Backups -- Joey Harrington, Cleo Lemon.
After souring on playing for Minnesota, Culpepper received his wish by maneuvering an offseason trade to the Dolphins. Almost fully recovered from the major knee injury he suffered last October, Culpepper now has to prove that a dismal 2005 season (six touchdowns, 12 interceptions) was an aberration. Harrington also is trying to start anew in Miami after being acquired in May following four disastrous seasons in Detroit. Lemon should be improved after receiving extra snaps with top-tier players in offseason practices before the arrival of Culpepper and Harrington.
Running backs
Starters -- RB Ronnie Brown, FB Fred Beasley.
Backups-- RB Sammy Morris, RB Travis Minor, FB Darian Barnes.
With RB Ricky Williams suspended for the 2006 season, Brown will be expected to carry Miami's rushing attack. Brown showed signs of being worthy of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft, but he must improve upon his 907-yard rushing output this season. The Dolphins would be in trouble if Brown gets hurt, as Morris is the only quality backup on the roster. Beasley, signed as a free agent from San Francisco, should serve as an upgrade to Barnes in the starting lineup.
Tight ends
:
Starters Randy McMichael.
Backup -- Justin Peelle.
Randy McMichael caught 25 of his 60 passes in 2005 during the final six games last season. McMichael should be even more productive in 2006 if the offensive line improves enough so that he doesn't have to stay in on passing plays to help block. Peelle, who was signed as a free agent from San Diego during the offseason, should prove an upgrade to 2005 Backup Lorenzo Diamond (released). The Dolphins don't have a solid third tight ends.
Wide Receivers
Starters -- Chris Chambers, Marty Booker.
Backups -- Wes Welker, Kelly Campbell, Derek Hagen, Devin Aromashodu.
The Dolphins should be fine as long as Chambers (82 catches for 1,118 yards in 2005) and Booker (career-best 17.6-yard average) stay healthy, as Miami has questionable depth at the position. Welker and Campbell are best used as third receivers, while it's unknown whether Hagen (third round) and/or Aromashodu (seventh) are ready to contribute as rookies.
Offensive line:
Starters -- LT L.J. Shelton, LG Jeno James, C Rex Hadnot, RG Seth McKinney, RT Vernon Carey.
Backups -- G Bennie Anderson, T Mike Pearson, T Damion McIntosh, G Joe Toledo.
Although all five Starters from last season are returning, there could be three changes made with Shelton starting, Hadnot shifting to center and McKinney (who had started at center the past two seasons) now competing against Anderson to start at right guard. McIntosh and Pearson will battle to serve as the top backup swing tackle. Although a 2006 fourth-round pick, Toledo is raw and probably will need time to develop.
Defensive line:
Starters -- LDE Kevin Carter, RDE Jason Taylor, NT Keith Traylor, DT Vonnie Holliday.
Backups -- DE Matt Roth, DT Manny Wright, DE David Bowens, DT Jeff Zgonina, DT Rodrique Wright, DT Fred Evans.
With all four starters from 2005 over the age of 30, the Dolphins are hoping youngsters like Roth and Manny Wright can develop into front-line players. Wright will have the chance to supplant the 36-year-old Traylor as Miami's starting nose tackle. Taylor is only 7.5 sacks away from 100 for his career.
Linebackers:
Starters -- SLB Donnie Spragan, MLB Zach Thomas, WLB Channing Crowder.
Backups -- Sedrick Hodge, Keith Newman, Derrick Pope, Eddie Moore.
During a solid rookie season, Crowder showcased skills that could eventually result in a move from WLB to MLB. But Thomas also hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, leading Miami in tackles for the ninth time in 10 seasons in 2005. Spragan will face competition from Hodge and Newman for his starting spot.
Defensive backs
Starters -- RCB Will Allen, LCB Travis Daniels, SS Renaldo Hill, FS Jason Allen.
Backups -- SS Travares Tillman, S Yeremiah Bell, S Deke Cooper, CB Andre' Goodman, CB Will Poole.
Besides quarterback, upgrading the secondary was Miami's main focus this offseason and is reflected in the acquisition of five new defensive backs via the draft or free agency. Will Allen wasn't spectacular in his five seasons with the New York Giants, but the Dolphins believe the 2001 first-round draft choice will prove an upgrade to the departed Sam Madison (Giants). If they can't break into the starting lineup, Tillman, Cooper and Bell would still provide outstanding safety depth.
Special teams
K Olindo Mare, P Donnie Jones, LS John Denney, KOR/PR Wes Welker.
The Dolphins fielded some of the NFL's top special teams units in 2005 thanks to the kicking of Mare and Jones, who led the NFL with a 39.3-yard average. Welker will face a challenge for his return job from Campbell. Mare could be playing his final season with the Dolphins.
