2005 Miami Dolphins By: Rustin Legendre
AKA: DolphinDevil28
“We will make haste slowly. We’re going to be methodical in evaluating every area so that we have the best opportunity to put the best group of people together so that we can have success in the future.†“I’m not here to predict championships, I’m here to formulate a process that helps (our players) be successful. And I think if we can do that, then we’re going to put ourselves in a position to have an opportunity to win a championship sometime in the future.â€Â
Whoa. Wait a minute. Was this…leadership? Direction? A…(gasp)…plan?
No way. Not in South Florida. Not when it comes to Dolphins football. It can’t be. Can it?
Believe it, Dolphins fans. The simple elements that make a champion such as direction, resolve, discipline and focusing on the basics, which the Miami Dolphins franchise has been absolutely starved for the last seven years, are back. As new head coach Nick Saban made these comments to the press during his introductory press conference, the winds of change were palpable. They were tangible. And as his steel, un-phased eyes glared directly at the ruthless mafia known as the South Florida sports media, the Nick Saban era had officially begun.
Saban, who has never directed a football team to a losing season in all his years as a head coach, was finally wooed away from LSU where he developed a kingdom and a fiefdom. He ruled the university. However, he is not one of the most competitive figures in just sports, but in every aspect of life. Saban needed another challenge. Another hill to climb. Many NFL teams coveted Saban, only to be rejected. But then the Dolphins came knocking, and it was an opportunity he could not pass up.
So, Saban now begins his first training camp leading Florida’s favorite sports team. A team chocked with rich history and a gleaming tradition of winning. A team who’s fans did not know what to do with themselves last year during the worst season in franchise history. Welcome to Camp Saban. The turnaround begins today. Here’s a preview.
COACHING
Joining Saban in Miami is one of the highest paid coaching staffs in the NFL. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan joins the Dolphins after three seasons as the offensive coordinator in Minnesota, where he directed the Viking’s offense to top-4 rankings each year, including a number one ranking in 2003. Linehan is a master at creating mismatches with lots of play action incorporated into the playbook. He also believes in keeping defenses honest with the deep threat. Linehan will not hesitate to chuck the rock down the field.
Leading the defense will be new defensive coordinator Richard Smith, who comes over from being the Detroit Lion’s linebackers coach. While it is known that Smith will actually be incorporating Saban’s defense, Smith still has a good track record. He has coached all-pro linebackers such as Julian Peterson, Ken Norton Jr. and Lee Woodall.
It will be Saban’s defense, though, that the Dolphins will run. Saban was the defensive coordinator under Bill Belichick when Belichick was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in the nineties. Saban was hired by Belichick to turn the Brown’s horrible defense around. To no surprise, Cleveland’s defense jumped to a league-best ranking under Saban’s guidance.
Perhaps the most important hiring besides Saban, though, was offensive line coach Hudson Houck. Houck was brought over from the Chargers, where he guided San Diego’s line to a very good season despite a rash of injuries and inexperienced players. Houck is known around the league as one of the best offensive line coaches in the business. It was painfully obvious how bad Miami’s offensive line was in 2004. If Houck can work the same magic with the Dolphins offensive line as he did with the Chargers’ (with what some would say has less overall talent than the Dolphins‘ line), then this will prove to be a very significant hiring.
QUARTERBACKS
The position that was a strength, a cornerstone of the Dolphins for seventeen seasons in Dan Marino, has been the Achilles heal of the team ever since number 13 retired five years ago.
The group heading into camp this year hopes to improve under better coaching, but the position still remains a question mark.
The Dolphins signed veteran Gus Frerotte from the Vikings as an unrestricted free agent this off season. The good news is, Frerotte is a very instinctive quarterback with a strong arm. More importantly, he played under new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan in Minnesota. Frerotte knows the system. The bad news is, he is 34 years old and is not very mobile. If Gus ends up starting, it will be for probably one year until a young quarterback to groom for the future can be attained.
Next comes the enigma known as A.J. Feeley. Feeley, who started eight of the Dolphins last eleven games in 2004, has physical tools that rival some of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. Feeley possesses a lightning fast release and has great wrist action to get maximum velocity on his throws. He is not a bad scrambler, and he can make plays on the run when the pocket breaks down. He can make good throws when his feet are not set, an asset that is necessary in the NFL.
Problem is, too many of those throws went to the team not wearing Dolphins uniforms last year. However, if Feeley can take advantage of good coaching, cut the turnovers in half and attain a good grasp of Linehan’s system, he should be the starter. Period.
Manning the third string spot is Sage Rosenfels.
RUNNING BACKS
The man who had the audacity to walk away from his team and football altogether last year, one week before training camp began, is back. Ricky William’s one-year hiatus absolutely crippled the Dolphins offense in 2004. But he’s back.
However, there’s a catch for the Rastafarian running back. He better get used to the term “backup.â€Â
That’s because the 6’1†233 pound, 4.38 40-yard dash-running physical beast known as Ronnie Brown was the Dolphins first overall draft pick. With the second overall selection, the highest pick for the Fins since their inaugural season in 1966, the Dolphins chose the versatile running back from Auburn. He’ll run over you. He’ll run around you. He’ll catch the ball out of the backfield. He’ll lay the smack down on a blitzing linebacker. Just be glad he’s on your team, Dolphins fans. And there’s also a nice bonus. Brown, widely considered the best running back prospect in last April’s draft, loves football. He is a genuinely good human being from a great family. You’ll never have to worry about Brown walking out of the front door of the Dolphins training facility one week before camp begins.
Brown and Williams have to potential to form one of the NFL’s scariest duos at running back. Manning the next spot is Lamar Gordon, who the Dolphins shipped a 3rd round pick to St. Louis for last off season. Gordon is very talented, but didn’t have the opportunity to show it last year because of a shoulder injury which ended his year.
At fullback, the Fins signed Heath Evans, a free agent from Seattle. Even though Scott Linehan doesn’t use the fullback a whole lot in his system, Evans is a very tough blocker who can catch the occasional pass out of the backfield.
Sammy Morris, the Dolphins leading rusher last year, returns to his natural position of fullback. Morris is a very good receiver and can run for some tough yards in a pinch. Morris will be for the Dolphins what Moe Williams was in Minnesota under Linehan.
RECEIVERS
Top five talent, top twenty-five production. That’s how you can describe the Dolphins top wide receiver Chris Chambers. At 5’11†210 pounds, Chambers has the blazing speed to blow by defenders, the strength to out-muscle cornerbacks, and he can jump out of the stadium. He should have been making trips to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl by now.
But it’s not entirely his fault that he hasn’t. Handcuffed by the old regime’s ultra-conservative play calling, Chambers finally might have that elusive break-out year under coordinator Scott Linehan this year. Chambers will get a lot of catches, and a lot of balls thrown deep to him. This should be the year when we finally see him flourish under a more attack-oriented system.
The Dolphins traded for Marty Booker last year. He came in right before the season and didn’t catch on right away. However Booker, a very good possession receiver, runs well after the catch. Linehan loves that ability in his receivers and he should exploit Booker’s while creating mismatches.
Miami also re-signed the enigmatic David Boston, who missed all of last year with a torn patella tendon. Boston was released in a salary cap move and then resigned.
When completely healthy, Boston has the physical status to absolutely dominate. At 6’2†230 pounds, if he can return to his old form, he would give the Dolphins a fantastic trio of receivers that would give Linehan an plethora of options in the passing game.
The fourth wide out is Derrius Thompson, a good hands guy who played much better last season after his disastrous 2003 year with the Dolphins. His best play last year was the 4th down touchdown grab that beat the Super Bowl Champion Patriots on a Monday night in Miami.
At tight end, Randy McMichael returns for what will be a contract year for him. If on-the-field production was the only variable weighing on extending McMichal’s contract, then Saban and company would have no problem paying McMichael. He is a premier tight end in the NFL.
However, off-the-field issues have troubled McMichael the past two off seasons. McMichael will play this year and be an integral cog in the offense, but if his behavior continues next off season, the Dolphins may have to part ways.
OFFENSIVE LINE
You pick the adjective to describe the 2004 Dolphins offensive line. Horrible, atrocious, embarrassing, a debacle, etc… Any of these terms would suffice.
Enter Hudson Houck. As mentioned earlier, Houck is a top three offensive line coach in the whole country. He’s worked miracles with other lines, and that’s why the Dolphins hired him.
Believe it or not, he does have some good, young talent to work with here.
Last year’s first round pick Vernon Carey will be moved to left tackle. At 6’5†325 lbs, Carey has the size and the strength. The question is, does he have the quickness? Houck believes Carey can be a good left tackle. And with Houck’s track record, who will question him? Carey will be given every opportunity to win the starting left tackle position.
Returning at left guard is Jeno James. James is an absolute run-blocking mauler, but he still must live up to the contract he signed last off season. He should play better this year.
Seth McKinney was very inconsistent at center, and he will be given competition at the spot. Tackle Wade Smith was moved to center and will push for playing time. McKinney is smart and athletic, but for some reason can’t put it all together on the field.
One of the Dolphins “diamond in the rough†type of players is right guard Rex Hadnot. Hadnot was drafted in the sixth round of the 2004 draft. At 6’2†330 pounds, Hadnot is a mauler with an attitude. He gained a starting spot at the middle of the season and never looked back. In fact, the offensive line played much better as a whole once Hadnot was in the lineup. Hadnot will look to begin this year where he left off last year, and continue to improve.
At right tackle, Miami signed Stockar McDougle, a former first round draft choice, away from the Detroit Lions.
The Lion’s brass tried to re-sign McDougle even though they criticized his weight at times. McDougle is a South Florida native and reports are, that he is in the best shape of his life and has dropped twenty pounds. He is motivated to prove his doubters in Motown wrong. This was a very good signing for the Dolphins and the combo of Hadnot and McDougle on the right side of the line gives Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams almost 700 pounds of beef to run behind.
If Hudson Houck can get this very young group to play cohesively and get to about middle-of-the-pack status in the NFL, the offensive line of 2005 will be a huge success.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Injuries cost this unit to decline in a big way in 2004. What is usually a stout run defending defensive line, the Fins ranked 31st in rush defense last year. Tim Bowen’s back and Larry Chester’s knee forced each to miss the vast majority of the year, and they were sorely missed.
So, the Dolphins revamped this unit for 2005. Keith Traylor, the mammoth tackle who helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl, decided to play for at least one more year with Miami. His run stuffing presence will be vital.
One of the Dolphins most prominent signings this off season, though, was former Pro Bowler Kevin Carter. Carter comes from the Titans where he was converted to a tackle, and he’ll man the same spot in Miami. Carter is brute-strong and can hold up at the point of attack. However, he has the quickness to penetrate the backfield, as evidenced by his six sacks from the tackle position last year with the Titans.
On the outside, the Fins also signed former first round end Vonnie Holliday from Kansas City. Holliday was expected to be “the man†in KC after he signed a huge contract. But the Chiefs defensive line lacked any other presence, and Holliday was constantly double teamed. His stats slipped and the Chiefs did not try to resign him.
Holliday is a very good run-defending defensive end who has the size to bull rush and penetrate the backfield at times also. He will be moved to the inside on pass rushing downs so other ends can rotate in certain situations.
If Holliday was tired of double teams in Kansas City, then he signed with the right team. He won’t be seeing two blockers on him in Miami.
That’s because Perennial Pro Bowl defensive end and most electrifying player on the Dolphins defense Jason Taylor returns for his ninth season. Taylor needs no description. Everyone knows what he can do. Not only is he the best player on the Dolphins defense, he is one of the best players in the whole NFL. At times he is literally unstoppable and can change a game with the drop of a hat.
The Dolphins drafted Iowa defensive end Matt Roth in the second round. Roth, equipped with a perpetual motor, is relentless when rushing the quarterback. He also has the size to uphold the point of attack.
Many draft experts had Roth pegged as a late first rounder. The Dolphins got a steal in Roth in the second round.
David Bowens re-signed with the Fins after speculation that he could be let go in a salary cap move. Bowens decided to restructure and extend his contract, a move that saved the Dolphins some cap room. Good team player.
Bowens is a good pass rusher who is best coming off the bench for passing downs. He does not have the prototypical size to consistently defend the run.
Larry Chester is returning, but he is not fully healthy yet. That is why the Dolphins took the only player drafted in the 2005 Supplemental Draft. Manuel Wright, the defensive tackle from USC, is who the Fins nabbed with a 5th round pick. That means Miami will not have a 5th round pick in the 2006 regular draft in April. However, many lauded the selection because Wright was considered a potential first round pick had he stayed in school. At 6’6†329 lbs, Wright has the size and quickness to dominate. He has a lightning quick first step when coming off the ball. Wright is a bit raw, but under good coaching from Saban and staff, he could develop into a great player.
LINEBACKERS
Good ‘ole number 54 is back, but the question is, how long will Zach Thomas be in Miami? Known for his great instincts and Texas-sized heart, Thomas is only 230 pounds. There is the problem. Nick Saban likes big, run stuffing linebackers for his defensive scheme. Zach will start this year, and lead the team in tackles again for what will seem like the 93rd year in a row, but anything after this year is a tossup. He will be 32 going on 33 years old after this year, and the best linebacker in Dolphins history could see his time as a Fin expire. He is still the heart and soul of the defense, but he is still human and father time gets the best of everyone eventually.
Speaking of Father Time, Junior Seau returns to the Dolphins. He will start at weak side linebacker, and if he stays healthy, he should have a good season. Seau is a good blitzing backer and Saban will exploit that ability. Seau also provides great leadership to the team, something that may be more valuable than his physical ability at times.
There is youth at the linebacker position. In the third round of the draft, the Dolphins chose University of Florida linebacker Channing Crowder. Another player considered by many to be a first-round talent, Crowder slipped to the third round because of past knee injuries and minor off-the-field issues. He’s been healthy for over two years now, and at 6’2†245 lbs he is a monster. Crowder is extremely instinctive and intense, and will be given a shot to win the strong side linebacker position in training camp.
He will battle free agent signee Donnie Spragan from Denver. Spragan is a big, athletic linebacker who fits Saban’s scheme. This will be a good battle in training camp, but rest assured, at some point Channing Crowder will start weather it be at middle linebacker or strong side linebacker.
SECONDARY
Trading away cornerback Patrick Surtain will weaken a strong unit, but it was a necessary move. Surtain was heading into his last year on his contract, and the Dolphins would not have been able to re-sign him for next year. They got something for him now, instead of getting nothing later when he would have been an unrestricted free agent. Kansas City shipped a second round pick to the Dolphins for Surtain, which the Dolphins used to select defensive end Matt Roth.
Battling to win the spot Surtain vacated are Reggie Howard, journeyman Mario Edwards, and 4th round pick rookie Travis Daniels. In most cases, a rookie would not be favored to win a spot over veterans, but this is not “most cases.â€Â
Daniels played for Nick Saban at LSU. Saban leaves for the Dolphins, Daniels graduates, Dolphins draft Daniels. It’s that simple. Daniels is a big, physical corner who knows the system. He also has underrated speed, and don’t be surprised if he is starting on opening day.
The cornerstone of the secondary is returning veteran Sam Madison. Madison played very well last year despite having no interceptions. His technique remains near flawless and very rarely got beat deep in 2004. He may have lost a step because he is nearing age 30, but he is still a top ten cornerback in the NFL.
At safety, the Dolphins signed Saints cast-off Tebucky Jones. Jones, who possesses great athleticism but lacks great ball skills, was playing out of position in New Orleans. He is a natural strong safety, and the Saints played him at free safety. Jones will be a strong safety in Miami and play closer to the line of scrimmage, allowing him to exhibit his good tackling skills.
At free safety, the Dolphins signed Travares Tillman from the Panthers. Tillman is an impressive athlete who at times can get lost on the field.
There will be some competition at this spot. The talented but oft-injured Yeremiah Bell will push Tillman for playing time. Bell has good athleticism and instincts, but needs to stay healthy for a change.
There is talk that free agent Lance Schulters could sign with the Dolphins, and many fans are hoping that signing comes into fruition.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker Olindo Mare returns to the Fins. Mare has slipped the past two years in field goal percentage, but remains one of, if not the best kick-off specialist in the NFL. Equipped with a very strong leg, Mare constantly pins teams at their own twenty yard line to start their drives.
Matt Turk returns at punter. Turk is a very good directional kicker and can pin a team deep in their own territory. However, his leg has declined over the years and does not possess the same power he once did.
BOTTOM LINE
The changes in the front office and in personnel that the Dolphins have made have generated much enthusiasm amongst Fins nation. And rightfully so. However, those who are expecting a one-year turnaround and think they will see the team gather a 12-4 record need to take a deep breath, relax, enjoy this season and know deep down that greatness is in the future. The Dolphins are headed in the right direction. They will return to prominence, where they belong.
While there is a good bit of talent on this current roster, and with some luck the Dolphins could make a push for a wild-card playoff spot, that is probably the best case-scenario for this season. The division is too strong, and the team needs to gel under the new coaching staff. However, once Saban and company get their correct personnel for their scheme, look out NFL. Will that take two, three years? Who knows?
But know this: It feels good to have faith in the people who are leading your team again, doesn’t it?
AKA: DolphinDevil28
“We will make haste slowly. We’re going to be methodical in evaluating every area so that we have the best opportunity to put the best group of people together so that we can have success in the future.†“I’m not here to predict championships, I’m here to formulate a process that helps (our players) be successful. And I think if we can do that, then we’re going to put ourselves in a position to have an opportunity to win a championship sometime in the future.â€Â
Whoa. Wait a minute. Was this…leadership? Direction? A…(gasp)…plan?
No way. Not in South Florida. Not when it comes to Dolphins football. It can’t be. Can it?
Believe it, Dolphins fans. The simple elements that make a champion such as direction, resolve, discipline and focusing on the basics, which the Miami Dolphins franchise has been absolutely starved for the last seven years, are back. As new head coach Nick Saban made these comments to the press during his introductory press conference, the winds of change were palpable. They were tangible. And as his steel, un-phased eyes glared directly at the ruthless mafia known as the South Florida sports media, the Nick Saban era had officially begun.
Saban, who has never directed a football team to a losing season in all his years as a head coach, was finally wooed away from LSU where he developed a kingdom and a fiefdom. He ruled the university. However, he is not one of the most competitive figures in just sports, but in every aspect of life. Saban needed another challenge. Another hill to climb. Many NFL teams coveted Saban, only to be rejected. But then the Dolphins came knocking, and it was an opportunity he could not pass up.
So, Saban now begins his first training camp leading Florida’s favorite sports team. A team chocked with rich history and a gleaming tradition of winning. A team who’s fans did not know what to do with themselves last year during the worst season in franchise history. Welcome to Camp Saban. The turnaround begins today. Here’s a preview.
COACHING
Joining Saban in Miami is one of the highest paid coaching staffs in the NFL. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan joins the Dolphins after three seasons as the offensive coordinator in Minnesota, where he directed the Viking’s offense to top-4 rankings each year, including a number one ranking in 2003. Linehan is a master at creating mismatches with lots of play action incorporated into the playbook. He also believes in keeping defenses honest with the deep threat. Linehan will not hesitate to chuck the rock down the field.
Leading the defense will be new defensive coordinator Richard Smith, who comes over from being the Detroit Lion’s linebackers coach. While it is known that Smith will actually be incorporating Saban’s defense, Smith still has a good track record. He has coached all-pro linebackers such as Julian Peterson, Ken Norton Jr. and Lee Woodall.
It will be Saban’s defense, though, that the Dolphins will run. Saban was the defensive coordinator under Bill Belichick when Belichick was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in the nineties. Saban was hired by Belichick to turn the Brown’s horrible defense around. To no surprise, Cleveland’s defense jumped to a league-best ranking under Saban’s guidance.
Perhaps the most important hiring besides Saban, though, was offensive line coach Hudson Houck. Houck was brought over from the Chargers, where he guided San Diego’s line to a very good season despite a rash of injuries and inexperienced players. Houck is known around the league as one of the best offensive line coaches in the business. It was painfully obvious how bad Miami’s offensive line was in 2004. If Houck can work the same magic with the Dolphins offensive line as he did with the Chargers’ (with what some would say has less overall talent than the Dolphins‘ line), then this will prove to be a very significant hiring.
QUARTERBACKS
The position that was a strength, a cornerstone of the Dolphins for seventeen seasons in Dan Marino, has been the Achilles heal of the team ever since number 13 retired five years ago.
The group heading into camp this year hopes to improve under better coaching, but the position still remains a question mark.
The Dolphins signed veteran Gus Frerotte from the Vikings as an unrestricted free agent this off season. The good news is, Frerotte is a very instinctive quarterback with a strong arm. More importantly, he played under new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan in Minnesota. Frerotte knows the system. The bad news is, he is 34 years old and is not very mobile. If Gus ends up starting, it will be for probably one year until a young quarterback to groom for the future can be attained.
Next comes the enigma known as A.J. Feeley. Feeley, who started eight of the Dolphins last eleven games in 2004, has physical tools that rival some of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. Feeley possesses a lightning fast release and has great wrist action to get maximum velocity on his throws. He is not a bad scrambler, and he can make plays on the run when the pocket breaks down. He can make good throws when his feet are not set, an asset that is necessary in the NFL.
Problem is, too many of those throws went to the team not wearing Dolphins uniforms last year. However, if Feeley can take advantage of good coaching, cut the turnovers in half and attain a good grasp of Linehan’s system, he should be the starter. Period.
Manning the third string spot is Sage Rosenfels.
RUNNING BACKS
The man who had the audacity to walk away from his team and football altogether last year, one week before training camp began, is back. Ricky William’s one-year hiatus absolutely crippled the Dolphins offense in 2004. But he’s back.
However, there’s a catch for the Rastafarian running back. He better get used to the term “backup.â€Â
That’s because the 6’1†233 pound, 4.38 40-yard dash-running physical beast known as Ronnie Brown was the Dolphins first overall draft pick. With the second overall selection, the highest pick for the Fins since their inaugural season in 1966, the Dolphins chose the versatile running back from Auburn. He’ll run over you. He’ll run around you. He’ll catch the ball out of the backfield. He’ll lay the smack down on a blitzing linebacker. Just be glad he’s on your team, Dolphins fans. And there’s also a nice bonus. Brown, widely considered the best running back prospect in last April’s draft, loves football. He is a genuinely good human being from a great family. You’ll never have to worry about Brown walking out of the front door of the Dolphins training facility one week before camp begins.
Brown and Williams have to potential to form one of the NFL’s scariest duos at running back. Manning the next spot is Lamar Gordon, who the Dolphins shipped a 3rd round pick to St. Louis for last off season. Gordon is very talented, but didn’t have the opportunity to show it last year because of a shoulder injury which ended his year.
At fullback, the Fins signed Heath Evans, a free agent from Seattle. Even though Scott Linehan doesn’t use the fullback a whole lot in his system, Evans is a very tough blocker who can catch the occasional pass out of the backfield.
Sammy Morris, the Dolphins leading rusher last year, returns to his natural position of fullback. Morris is a very good receiver and can run for some tough yards in a pinch. Morris will be for the Dolphins what Moe Williams was in Minnesota under Linehan.
RECEIVERS
Top five talent, top twenty-five production. That’s how you can describe the Dolphins top wide receiver Chris Chambers. At 5’11†210 pounds, Chambers has the blazing speed to blow by defenders, the strength to out-muscle cornerbacks, and he can jump out of the stadium. He should have been making trips to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl by now.
But it’s not entirely his fault that he hasn’t. Handcuffed by the old regime’s ultra-conservative play calling, Chambers finally might have that elusive break-out year under coordinator Scott Linehan this year. Chambers will get a lot of catches, and a lot of balls thrown deep to him. This should be the year when we finally see him flourish under a more attack-oriented system.
The Dolphins traded for Marty Booker last year. He came in right before the season and didn’t catch on right away. However Booker, a very good possession receiver, runs well after the catch. Linehan loves that ability in his receivers and he should exploit Booker’s while creating mismatches.
Miami also re-signed the enigmatic David Boston, who missed all of last year with a torn patella tendon. Boston was released in a salary cap move and then resigned.
When completely healthy, Boston has the physical status to absolutely dominate. At 6’2†230 pounds, if he can return to his old form, he would give the Dolphins a fantastic trio of receivers that would give Linehan an plethora of options in the passing game.
The fourth wide out is Derrius Thompson, a good hands guy who played much better last season after his disastrous 2003 year with the Dolphins. His best play last year was the 4th down touchdown grab that beat the Super Bowl Champion Patriots on a Monday night in Miami.
At tight end, Randy McMichael returns for what will be a contract year for him. If on-the-field production was the only variable weighing on extending McMichal’s contract, then Saban and company would have no problem paying McMichael. He is a premier tight end in the NFL.
However, off-the-field issues have troubled McMichael the past two off seasons. McMichael will play this year and be an integral cog in the offense, but if his behavior continues next off season, the Dolphins may have to part ways.
OFFENSIVE LINE
You pick the adjective to describe the 2004 Dolphins offensive line. Horrible, atrocious, embarrassing, a debacle, etc… Any of these terms would suffice.
Enter Hudson Houck. As mentioned earlier, Houck is a top three offensive line coach in the whole country. He’s worked miracles with other lines, and that’s why the Dolphins hired him.
Believe it or not, he does have some good, young talent to work with here.
Last year’s first round pick Vernon Carey will be moved to left tackle. At 6’5†325 lbs, Carey has the size and the strength. The question is, does he have the quickness? Houck believes Carey can be a good left tackle. And with Houck’s track record, who will question him? Carey will be given every opportunity to win the starting left tackle position.
Returning at left guard is Jeno James. James is an absolute run-blocking mauler, but he still must live up to the contract he signed last off season. He should play better this year.
Seth McKinney was very inconsistent at center, and he will be given competition at the spot. Tackle Wade Smith was moved to center and will push for playing time. McKinney is smart and athletic, but for some reason can’t put it all together on the field.
One of the Dolphins “diamond in the rough†type of players is right guard Rex Hadnot. Hadnot was drafted in the sixth round of the 2004 draft. At 6’2†330 pounds, Hadnot is a mauler with an attitude. He gained a starting spot at the middle of the season and never looked back. In fact, the offensive line played much better as a whole once Hadnot was in the lineup. Hadnot will look to begin this year where he left off last year, and continue to improve.
At right tackle, Miami signed Stockar McDougle, a former first round draft choice, away from the Detroit Lions.
The Lion’s brass tried to re-sign McDougle even though they criticized his weight at times. McDougle is a South Florida native and reports are, that he is in the best shape of his life and has dropped twenty pounds. He is motivated to prove his doubters in Motown wrong. This was a very good signing for the Dolphins and the combo of Hadnot and McDougle on the right side of the line gives Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams almost 700 pounds of beef to run behind.
If Hudson Houck can get this very young group to play cohesively and get to about middle-of-the-pack status in the NFL, the offensive line of 2005 will be a huge success.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Injuries cost this unit to decline in a big way in 2004. What is usually a stout run defending defensive line, the Fins ranked 31st in rush defense last year. Tim Bowen’s back and Larry Chester’s knee forced each to miss the vast majority of the year, and they were sorely missed.
So, the Dolphins revamped this unit for 2005. Keith Traylor, the mammoth tackle who helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl, decided to play for at least one more year with Miami. His run stuffing presence will be vital.
One of the Dolphins most prominent signings this off season, though, was former Pro Bowler Kevin Carter. Carter comes from the Titans where he was converted to a tackle, and he’ll man the same spot in Miami. Carter is brute-strong and can hold up at the point of attack. However, he has the quickness to penetrate the backfield, as evidenced by his six sacks from the tackle position last year with the Titans.
On the outside, the Fins also signed former first round end Vonnie Holliday from Kansas City. Holliday was expected to be “the man†in KC after he signed a huge contract. But the Chiefs defensive line lacked any other presence, and Holliday was constantly double teamed. His stats slipped and the Chiefs did not try to resign him.
Holliday is a very good run-defending defensive end who has the size to bull rush and penetrate the backfield at times also. He will be moved to the inside on pass rushing downs so other ends can rotate in certain situations.
If Holliday was tired of double teams in Kansas City, then he signed with the right team. He won’t be seeing two blockers on him in Miami.
That’s because Perennial Pro Bowl defensive end and most electrifying player on the Dolphins defense Jason Taylor returns for his ninth season. Taylor needs no description. Everyone knows what he can do. Not only is he the best player on the Dolphins defense, he is one of the best players in the whole NFL. At times he is literally unstoppable and can change a game with the drop of a hat.
The Dolphins drafted Iowa defensive end Matt Roth in the second round. Roth, equipped with a perpetual motor, is relentless when rushing the quarterback. He also has the size to uphold the point of attack.
Many draft experts had Roth pegged as a late first rounder. The Dolphins got a steal in Roth in the second round.
David Bowens re-signed with the Fins after speculation that he could be let go in a salary cap move. Bowens decided to restructure and extend his contract, a move that saved the Dolphins some cap room. Good team player.
Bowens is a good pass rusher who is best coming off the bench for passing downs. He does not have the prototypical size to consistently defend the run.
Larry Chester is returning, but he is not fully healthy yet. That is why the Dolphins took the only player drafted in the 2005 Supplemental Draft. Manuel Wright, the defensive tackle from USC, is who the Fins nabbed with a 5th round pick. That means Miami will not have a 5th round pick in the 2006 regular draft in April. However, many lauded the selection because Wright was considered a potential first round pick had he stayed in school. At 6’6†329 lbs, Wright has the size and quickness to dominate. He has a lightning quick first step when coming off the ball. Wright is a bit raw, but under good coaching from Saban and staff, he could develop into a great player.
LINEBACKERS
Good ‘ole number 54 is back, but the question is, how long will Zach Thomas be in Miami? Known for his great instincts and Texas-sized heart, Thomas is only 230 pounds. There is the problem. Nick Saban likes big, run stuffing linebackers for his defensive scheme. Zach will start this year, and lead the team in tackles again for what will seem like the 93rd year in a row, but anything after this year is a tossup. He will be 32 going on 33 years old after this year, and the best linebacker in Dolphins history could see his time as a Fin expire. He is still the heart and soul of the defense, but he is still human and father time gets the best of everyone eventually.
Speaking of Father Time, Junior Seau returns to the Dolphins. He will start at weak side linebacker, and if he stays healthy, he should have a good season. Seau is a good blitzing backer and Saban will exploit that ability. Seau also provides great leadership to the team, something that may be more valuable than his physical ability at times.
There is youth at the linebacker position. In the third round of the draft, the Dolphins chose University of Florida linebacker Channing Crowder. Another player considered by many to be a first-round talent, Crowder slipped to the third round because of past knee injuries and minor off-the-field issues. He’s been healthy for over two years now, and at 6’2†245 lbs he is a monster. Crowder is extremely instinctive and intense, and will be given a shot to win the strong side linebacker position in training camp.
He will battle free agent signee Donnie Spragan from Denver. Spragan is a big, athletic linebacker who fits Saban’s scheme. This will be a good battle in training camp, but rest assured, at some point Channing Crowder will start weather it be at middle linebacker or strong side linebacker.
SECONDARY
Trading away cornerback Patrick Surtain will weaken a strong unit, but it was a necessary move. Surtain was heading into his last year on his contract, and the Dolphins would not have been able to re-sign him for next year. They got something for him now, instead of getting nothing later when he would have been an unrestricted free agent. Kansas City shipped a second round pick to the Dolphins for Surtain, which the Dolphins used to select defensive end Matt Roth.
Battling to win the spot Surtain vacated are Reggie Howard, journeyman Mario Edwards, and 4th round pick rookie Travis Daniels. In most cases, a rookie would not be favored to win a spot over veterans, but this is not “most cases.â€Â
Daniels played for Nick Saban at LSU. Saban leaves for the Dolphins, Daniels graduates, Dolphins draft Daniels. It’s that simple. Daniels is a big, physical corner who knows the system. He also has underrated speed, and don’t be surprised if he is starting on opening day.
The cornerstone of the secondary is returning veteran Sam Madison. Madison played very well last year despite having no interceptions. His technique remains near flawless and very rarely got beat deep in 2004. He may have lost a step because he is nearing age 30, but he is still a top ten cornerback in the NFL.
At safety, the Dolphins signed Saints cast-off Tebucky Jones. Jones, who possesses great athleticism but lacks great ball skills, was playing out of position in New Orleans. He is a natural strong safety, and the Saints played him at free safety. Jones will be a strong safety in Miami and play closer to the line of scrimmage, allowing him to exhibit his good tackling skills.
At free safety, the Dolphins signed Travares Tillman from the Panthers. Tillman is an impressive athlete who at times can get lost on the field.
There will be some competition at this spot. The talented but oft-injured Yeremiah Bell will push Tillman for playing time. Bell has good athleticism and instincts, but needs to stay healthy for a change.
There is talk that free agent Lance Schulters could sign with the Dolphins, and many fans are hoping that signing comes into fruition.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker Olindo Mare returns to the Fins. Mare has slipped the past two years in field goal percentage, but remains one of, if not the best kick-off specialist in the NFL. Equipped with a very strong leg, Mare constantly pins teams at their own twenty yard line to start their drives.
Matt Turk returns at punter. Turk is a very good directional kicker and can pin a team deep in their own territory. However, his leg has declined over the years and does not possess the same power he once did.
BOTTOM LINE
The changes in the front office and in personnel that the Dolphins have made have generated much enthusiasm amongst Fins nation. And rightfully so. However, those who are expecting a one-year turnaround and think they will see the team gather a 12-4 record need to take a deep breath, relax, enjoy this season and know deep down that greatness is in the future. The Dolphins are headed in the right direction. They will return to prominence, where they belong.
While there is a good bit of talent on this current roster, and with some luck the Dolphins could make a push for a wild-card playoff spot, that is probably the best case-scenario for this season. The division is too strong, and the team needs to gel under the new coaching staff. However, once Saban and company get their correct personnel for their scheme, look out NFL. Will that take two, three years? Who knows?
But know this: It feels good to have faith in the people who are leading your team again, doesn’t it?
