SI: Offseason Report Card

[Daytona Fin]

Here is Sports Illustrated's offseason report. They gave us a B overall.


http://www.si.com/nfl/audibles/2014/06/18/offseason-report-card-miami-dolphins

So... how was your 2013? Most likely, it wasn't weird in the same way the Miami Dolphins' 2013 was weird. Unless you were involved in a very public bullying scandal that demolished two-fifths of your offensive line and put you in the crosshairs of the Commissioner's office, and the personification of organizational dysfunction. Now that both Richie Incognito (unemployed) and Jonathan Martin (San Francisco 49ers) are off the roster, it's up to general manager Dennis Hickey and head coach Joe Philbin to not only turn things around, but to somehow prove that a Dolphins franchise that hasn't had a winning season since 2008, and hasn't won a playoff game since 2000 is on the right track.

The good news is that there does appear to be a level of consistency in the talent acquisition department that was never there when former GM Jeff Ireland was in charge. Hickey moved decisively to shore up the team's offensive line, signed running back Knowshon Moreno from the Broncos, and is trying his best to reverse the course.

“Joe (Philbin) and I are working together on this," Hickey said at the scouting combine in February, when asked about the much-publicized culture change. "Leading up to this, we met with each department and laid out, restated and reinforced our vision of who we want to be, a culture of respect, communication and laying out that foundation and being intentional about communication throughout the building. Those are some of the steps that we have taken and will continue to take. We take this serious in our culture and who we want to be, and we want to set the standard around the league.”

Easier said than done. But on paper, at least, the Dolphins are off to a much better start this year than last. A low bar to be sure, but you've got to start somewhere.

 

[roy_miami]

This is the part that resonates most with me out of any article I've read this offseason. Tannehill will have to be better overall, including as a game manager, and he'll need to take it upon himself to grit out a win or two.

Looming question for training camp: Can Ryan Tannehill take the next step?

Considering that he was under siege all season, Tannehill's total of 24 touchdowns to 17 interceptions in 2013 was fairly impressive. Coming into his third season, and with a dramatically redefined offensive line, it's time for Tannehill to add to his game, and that's something he clearly understands.

" I have to make a big jump, I'm aware of that," Tannehill said in April. "I’m putting in the work, putting in the time to get myself physically ready, mentally ready and learn this new offense that we’re going with this year. So there is still work to be done. But I look for a big jump in myself, both in production and wins. That’s what we ultimately play for is wins. So, I’m excited to see what this team does."

The new offense is in the hands of first-year offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, who replaces Mike Sherman and will reportedly feature a more high-volume passing game with a quicker tempo. Tannehill needs to become more consistent with his mechanics, which will lead to better accuracy, especially downfield -- last season, he completed just 16 passes in 64 attempts in which the ball went 20 or more yards in the air. And he'll need to be better with multiple-read concepts, though a speed offense could mitigate that issue to a degree. In any case, the Dolphins -- despite their turbulent last year -- are actually set up to make a decent amount of noise in the AFC East, and they'll go about as far as Tannehill can take them.

 

[allsilverdreams]

yes Tannehill must take his game to a new leve but so do many other players on this team.it would be nice if last years rookies have an impact this year as well as this years rookies
there is going to be at least a dozen new players on the opening day roster

 

[MRojas4]

I'm not worried about Tannehill taking the next step.

I'm worried about the O-line getting Tannehill killed, thus eliminating the possibility of that 'next step'.

 

[Phinsome]

Think about it: the guy throws 24/17 with one of the worst O lines EVER. This Oline has brand new, better tackles, a number 1 pick and a prowbowler. IF the guards play better, what are Tannehill's numbers? Even a slight improvment over last year is 27/14. Hell, I'd take 26/15. Those numbers get you in the playoffs. I think we are a sleeper team.