National Football Post- 2014 Dolphins team preview

[Daytona Fin]

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To put it mildly, I don’t know what to expect from the Miami Dolphins in 2014. They are a franchise that is still in disarray.

After all the locker room problems that went down last season, owner Stephen Ross fired general manager Jeff Ireland and replaced him with Dennis Hickey. I have known Dennis for years and he is a very capable evaluator, but he must not have sold the owner that he was because he only received a two-year contract. What that essentially means is that Dennis is on a one-year tryout. How can you get anything done in a situation like that?

Many moves look more like band aids than long-term solutions. Head coach Joe Philbin and Hickey are under pressure to win, but do they have the support and players necessary to do that?

Offensive line

The line looked much improved through most of OTA’s, but that was before center Mike Pouncey had surgery to repair a hip problem.

Pouncey could miss up to half the season and who will replace him remains to be seen. That experiment will take place once camp opens in a few weeks. The first thing the Dolphins did when Pouncey went down was sign veteran Daryn Colledge. Colledge can play guard or center, but is far more comfortable at guard.

In camp, the Dolphins will work Shelly Smith, Nate Garner and Sam Brenner at the position and find out who is the best solution.

The tackles will be free agent signee Branden Albert at left tackle, who spent the last six years in Kansas City. The right tackle will be rookie Ja’Wuan James, who was the Dolphins’ first-round pick in May. While I like James’ talent, I did not think he was worthy of a first round selection.

Before Pouncey’s surgery, Garner and Smith were slated to be the starting guards. If one of those two moves to center, than Colledge will be the likely replacement at guard.

Three other players to keep an eye on are second-year guard Dallas Thomas, who did not live up to expectations as a rookie, free agent signee Jason Fox and rookie Billy Turner. Turner will need time to develop as he played his college football at the FCS level.

Linebackers

Miami was not happy with their linebacker play in 2013. To help fix the problem they made two changes: Koa Misi and Dannell Ellerbe switched positions. Ellerbe goes from inside to outside and the opposite happens with Misi. The Dolphins’ defensive staff hopes the changes will have each player playing to his strengths.

The other outside linebacker is Philip Wheeler. Wheeler also did not play up to expectations in 2013. If the veterans don’t show improvement, there are two young players waiting for their chance. 2013 fourth-round pick Jelani Jenkins can play inside or outside and is very instinctive. 2014 fifth-round pick Jordan Tripp from Montana is talented but raw. He may be a year away from contributing.

Outlook

If the Dolphins were in any division other than the AFC East, I would say they were destined for fourth place. However, being that there is only one strong team in the AFC East (New England), anything can happen.

The problem for the Dolphins is they open up at home with New England and that could get ugly. Four of the Dolphins’ first five games are against teams that could very well be division winners in 2014. Kansas City, Green Bay and Chicago are all strong clubs. A slow start for Miami could spell doom in South Beach.

 

[Nublar7]

Awesome, another preview calling us one of the worst teams in the league.

 

[rent this space]

Dallas Thomas from all accounts was the starting LG throughout the OTA's but this guy says Garner and Smith are the two guards? That's a pretty significant story to miss

 

[AFCMiamiEast]

Wow, there is a lot of hype surrounding this squad going into week one. Everywhere I read, so many positive things have been said.

 

[truedolfan57]

what do you guys think the point spread will be for week 1? 33 points for the fins? I mean, you have one of the worst teams in the league going against one of the best teams in the league...

 

[AFCMiamiEast]

what do you guys think the point spread will be for week 1? 33 points for the fins? I mean, you have one of the worst teams in the league going against one of the best teams in the league...

I do find it funny how the national media portrays the Patriots. Yeah, they win a lot of regular season games and are due for a playoff win or two usually every season being the beneficiaries of a garabage division like the AFCE has been the past 12 years. They seem to always ignore the fact that New England hasn't truly been on top of the league in a full decade. A lot has happened since then.

 

[hoops]

what a horrible read that was...

 

[DolphanB]

8-8 and defeating every AFC playoff team they played is a "disastrous campaign" and destines MIA for 4th place in any division but the AFC East?

What 2013 showed was that, if the OL can give him more than a couple seconds to throw, PFF found that Tannehill is indeed a top ten QB.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/3.1-3.5-Seconds.png

The new OL has been doing far better in OTS and Tannehill has been putting up multiple TDs per practice in Lazor's new offense. Pouncey will be missed, but Hickey repaired the main problems at OT.

 

[jlfin]

Like I've said in previous threads. It all comes down to RT and the last 2 draft classes. Hard to prognosticate. It is clear to me, however, that many of the posters on this site have a much better knowledge of this roster than most of the national media.

 

[DuderinoN703]

8-8 and defeating every AFC playoff team they played is a "disastrous campaign" and destines MIA for 4th place in any division but the AFC East?

What 2013 showed was that, if the OL can give him more than a couple seconds to throw, PFF found that Tannehill is indeed a top ten QB.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/3.1-3.5-Seconds.png

The new OL has been doing far better in OTS and Tannehill has been putting up multiple TDs per practice in Lazor's new offense. Pouncey will be missed, but Hickey repaired the main problems at OT.

Agreed. It's so funny to say Miami is the 2nd worst team in the league. If most of it is based on last year's happenings, how is Miami 31st in the league?

 

[BlueFin]

He lost me at Nate Garner was going to start.......

 

[DDTDON]

Terrible preview and the guy contradicts himself. So, this was a waste of 10 minutes for me. 4th in the AFC East? He thinks this is a tough division. Pfft.... My prediction is 9-7 at worst and 11-5 at best. I think Tanny will take the next step this year with this new offense.

 

[Valandui]

I do find it funny how the national media portrays the Patriots. Yeah, they win a lot of regular season games and are due for a playoff win or two usually every season being the beneficiaries of a garabage division like the AFCE has been the past 12 years. They seem to always ignore the fact that New England hasn't truly been on top of the league in a full decade. A lot has happened since then.

You typically have to win regular season games to make it to the playoffs. Until that stops happening, NE will keep being considered a strong team regardless of how they come by the wins.

 

[mega-fin-love]

Not sure what you guys expect. It certainly looks like Miami might be in for a long season. I don't think we are one of the worst teams in the league or anything like that but I don't expect us to be very good either. There is plenty of ammo for people to think Miami will suck this year.

 

[mega-fin-love]

I do find it funny how the national media portrays the Patriots. Yeah, they win a lot of regular season games and are due for a playoff win or two usually every season being the beneficiaries of a garabage division like the AFCE has been the past 12 years. They seem to always ignore the fact that New England hasn't truly been on top of the league in a full decade. A lot has happened since then.

Dude New England is one of the best dynasties of all time. They are anywhere from pretty good to unstoppable every year and it's been that way for a very very long time. Why would anyone doubt the Patriots?