Phins Phan
Practice Squad
Here is how I see the Phins next year, position by position:
Quarterback: Dolphins are solid here. Remember we are a run first, pass second offense. That said, with no running game Fielder still managed to lead us to a 11-5 record. Imagine how he'll do with a legitimate running game.
Running Back: Ricky Williams. We now have a top 5 back. Nuff Said. I've read some posts about Ricky's injuries. Those should be a non-issue since now he's playing most games on grass instead of turf.
Full Back: Ever since I saw Konrad playing in Syracuse, I knew he was special. I truly believe if he were playing in a West Coast style offense he would be a star full back. This year with Turner he should see alot more action catching the ball out of the backfield. Hopefully he will prove me right. At 6'3, 255 lbs and 4.5 speed, I think he will.
Wide Receiver: Chambers looks like a legitimate star. Gadsen and Ward are solid. McKnight has been a disappointment, but if he can hold on to the ball maybe he'll improve. Adding Cris Carter would help, but I think we are solid enough at WR. Again, remember we are a run first, pass second offense.
Offensive Line: Here is where I begin to worry. Ruddy and Wade are solid. Smith showed signs of being a solid tackle until he got hurt. Dixon is real good, but he had a devistating double injury and did speak of retirement. Perry was a downgrade. Searcy hasn't played a down in 2 years, but if he stays healthy he should work out fine. If we stay healthy, our OL should be fine. But that's a big IF. I think they really need to get another Guard and maybe another Tackle. OL is still our biggest need. And since we are run first, it becomes that much more important.
Tight End: Looks like the Phins are betting on Mayes. Physically the guy is a stud. Anyone who has seen him in person knows what I mean. Weaver isn't a good blocker, so I don't think he is a good fit for this offense. They need a TE that can block. I think they need to sign or draft another one.
Defensive Line: A position that looked pretty scary now looks solid with the resigning of Bowens and the solid addition of Chester. Moving Gardner to the outside is good for him and the team, but he will have to slim down a little. I'm sure we'll see him slip to the inside a lot next year.
Linebacker: Our starters are solid with Zack, Rodgers and Greenwood. Look for Greenwood to greatly improve in his second season. It's our backups that need help. Look for the Phins to draft a linebacker to add to the mix.
Safety: Losing Brian Walker will hurt, but resigning Marion brings back needed experience to this position. Freeman had a solid year and should do just fine as the new starter. Remember that he was slated as the starter last year until they resigned Marion.
Cornerback: Our starters are arguably the best starting tandem in the NFL. Fletcher will need to step up in the nickle spot since we lost Cousins. Who will be the fourth corner? We'll see.
Special Teams: Mare is one of the top Kickers in the league. I don't understand why they haven't resigned Turk. The guy is a great punter. The Dolphins need a great kicker and punter because of the style of offense they play. When you play grid it out football punters that can pin a team back are worth their weight in gold. They really need to resign Turk. The importance of a good punter should not be overlooked.
Conclusion:
The Phins are looking good. The OL could be a question mark. Ricky Williams in press conference said, "A good running back makes a good offensive line". He would be in a position to know so I believe him. If we can shore up the OL, get a decent backup Linebacker and spark up the TE position then the Dolphins have to be a top 4 contender to win the AFC this year. Other teams to look at would be the Pats, Pittsburgh, Denver, Tennessee (they should be a lot better this year), Oakland and Indianapolis.
Another factor is their schedule. Much tougher than last year's.
It's hard to say what their record will be. If the OL stays healthy, they will be better than last year, and we are certainly much better at the RB position, so 11-5 or better should be a very legitimate possibility. I would say 12-4 if it wasn't for the fact that we have such a tough schedule this year:
HOME - Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions. AWAY - Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings.
Whew! I've come to the end. Please comment away....
Phins Phan
Quarterback: Dolphins are solid here. Remember we are a run first, pass second offense. That said, with no running game Fielder still managed to lead us to a 11-5 record. Imagine how he'll do with a legitimate running game.
Running Back: Ricky Williams. We now have a top 5 back. Nuff Said. I've read some posts about Ricky's injuries. Those should be a non-issue since now he's playing most games on grass instead of turf.
Full Back: Ever since I saw Konrad playing in Syracuse, I knew he was special. I truly believe if he were playing in a West Coast style offense he would be a star full back. This year with Turner he should see alot more action catching the ball out of the backfield. Hopefully he will prove me right. At 6'3, 255 lbs and 4.5 speed, I think he will.
Wide Receiver: Chambers looks like a legitimate star. Gadsen and Ward are solid. McKnight has been a disappointment, but if he can hold on to the ball maybe he'll improve. Adding Cris Carter would help, but I think we are solid enough at WR. Again, remember we are a run first, pass second offense.
Offensive Line: Here is where I begin to worry. Ruddy and Wade are solid. Smith showed signs of being a solid tackle until he got hurt. Dixon is real good, but he had a devistating double injury and did speak of retirement. Perry was a downgrade. Searcy hasn't played a down in 2 years, but if he stays healthy he should work out fine. If we stay healthy, our OL should be fine. But that's a big IF. I think they really need to get another Guard and maybe another Tackle. OL is still our biggest need. And since we are run first, it becomes that much more important.
Tight End: Looks like the Phins are betting on Mayes. Physically the guy is a stud. Anyone who has seen him in person knows what I mean. Weaver isn't a good blocker, so I don't think he is a good fit for this offense. They need a TE that can block. I think they need to sign or draft another one.
Defensive Line: A position that looked pretty scary now looks solid with the resigning of Bowens and the solid addition of Chester. Moving Gardner to the outside is good for him and the team, but he will have to slim down a little. I'm sure we'll see him slip to the inside a lot next year.
Linebacker: Our starters are solid with Zack, Rodgers and Greenwood. Look for Greenwood to greatly improve in his second season. It's our backups that need help. Look for the Phins to draft a linebacker to add to the mix.
Safety: Losing Brian Walker will hurt, but resigning Marion brings back needed experience to this position. Freeman had a solid year and should do just fine as the new starter. Remember that he was slated as the starter last year until they resigned Marion.
Cornerback: Our starters are arguably the best starting tandem in the NFL. Fletcher will need to step up in the nickle spot since we lost Cousins. Who will be the fourth corner? We'll see.
Special Teams: Mare is one of the top Kickers in the league. I don't understand why they haven't resigned Turk. The guy is a great punter. The Dolphins need a great kicker and punter because of the style of offense they play. When you play grid it out football punters that can pin a team back are worth their weight in gold. They really need to resign Turk. The importance of a good punter should not be overlooked.
Conclusion:
The Phins are looking good. The OL could be a question mark. Ricky Williams in press conference said, "A good running back makes a good offensive line". He would be in a position to know so I believe him. If we can shore up the OL, get a decent backup Linebacker and spark up the TE position then the Dolphins have to be a top 4 contender to win the AFC this year. Other teams to look at would be the Pats, Pittsburgh, Denver, Tennessee (they should be a lot better this year), Oakland and Indianapolis.
Another factor is their schedule. Much tougher than last year's.
It's hard to say what their record will be. If the OL stays healthy, they will be better than last year, and we are certainly much better at the RB position, so 11-5 or better should be a very legitimate possibility. I would say 12-4 if it wasn't for the fact that we have such a tough schedule this year:
HOME - Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions. AWAY - Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings.
Whew! I've come to the end. Please comment away....
Phins Phan