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- Sep 7, 2004
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1. Who will emerge at quarterback? Odds are that Henne's strong arm and moxie will be nurtured off the field at the start of 2008, leaving Beck and McCown. At this point, as much of a gym rat that he is, Beck's lack of proficiency in simply holding on to the football does not bode well for him. But he is very accurate with the football and has a solid arm. By way of contrast, McCown is inaccurate and has more of a gunslinger mentality. This will be interesting to see how it plays out. Long term, I think it will be Henne. In 2008, I'd like to see Beck, but boy the kid better hold on to the football.
2. Will Teddy Ginn emerge? The kid has excellent hands and can run. Maybe he will surprise. While his need to improve his route running is well documented, people often overlook his excellent hands. Miami really needs Ginn to develop this season.
3. Who will replace Jason Taylor's pass rushing? Charlie Anderson may get first crack with Quentin Moses backing him up. Moving Porter over might be an alternative, with possibly Reggie Torbor taking Porter's old spot.
4. Will the R and R express return to form? Ricky apparently looks great. What trumps, the lack of wear and tear the last 4 seasons, or is it rust? That will be interesting which way that unfolds. Ronnie quietly was big time before the injury but will he return to that form? Hilliard and Parmele's battle for the number 3 slot will be interesting. Don't go to sleep on Hilliard. While not explosive, he is rugged.
5. Will Jake Long be able to handle speed rushers? Interesting to see how he adjusts to the speed of the game.
6. Who will play left guard? Steve McKinney? Darilek? Will the Dolphins sign Bentley? Murphy, Thomas, and Sosa seem like long shots. This is a very unsettled position to say the least. Darilek may be needed as the top backup at tackle so if McKinney can stay healthy, it might be him. The rookies seem too green and not there physically either yet.
7. Is Jason Allen going to come on in the new simplified scheme? He provides sorely needed playmaking ability and good range. He is a capable tackler. The Dolphins hope that this is the year he becomes a top flight safety.
8. Can Fasano stay healthy and be solid at tight end? The Dolphins arguably had the worst tight end situation in the league last year and need Fasano to step up in the worst way. How will he play? Pedestrian, workmanlike? Or will he be a playmaker? If he is more of a blocker, will the Dolphins go get an H back next season who can catch the football a la Dallas Clark or Dustin Keller? The Dolphins will need to do something there.
9. Besides (hopefully) Ginn and Wilford, who will contribute at receiver? Yikes this is a scary question. Hagan has never shown mental toughness. Will he flash a 180 degree turnaround? Odds are not good but you never know. This will be his last shot in Miami. Parcells will not put up with his mental weakness. Who else can play here? My guess is Miami invests in a free agent wide receiver next season *and* a high draft pick, perhaps a second rounder. Miami needs weapons in the passing game. Right now, it would seem that Miami easily has the worst receiving corps in the league.
10. How will the defensive line rotation shape up? Carey says Roth has improved. He is up to 285 lbs and has a good motor but can he hang in there against the run? Will Langford or Merling contribute at all this year? Who will help Ferguson at nose? Starks seems earmarked for end, but it sure seems like we could use his help at nose. But can he even do it? Is Soliai hopeless or will he put it together? Like Hagan, my suspicion is that Parcells will put other underachievers like Soliai on a short leash. Will Rod Wright make it? He is just a body at this point.
11. Will Channing Crowder ever make a big play? The kid is short on game changing plays. But at 250 lbs, he seems suited to play inside in the 3-4. Let's see him improve. My guess is he gets paired with Akin Ayodele, with Torbor being the 5th linebacker who contributes off the bench at multiple spots.
12. In the secondary, will the corners make any big plays? Will Allen is solid and is even a sure tackler -- he just will not intercept many balls, let alone run something back for a score. Goodman is decent in coverage as is Lehan. Daniels may not make the team, although Travis does have a good nose for the football so that may save his job. At strong safety, can Bell stay healthy or is he the classic example of someone too pumped up, thereby leading to too many injuries?
2. Will Teddy Ginn emerge? The kid has excellent hands and can run. Maybe he will surprise. While his need to improve his route running is well documented, people often overlook his excellent hands. Miami really needs Ginn to develop this season.
3. Who will replace Jason Taylor's pass rushing? Charlie Anderson may get first crack with Quentin Moses backing him up. Moving Porter over might be an alternative, with possibly Reggie Torbor taking Porter's old spot.
4. Will the R and R express return to form? Ricky apparently looks great. What trumps, the lack of wear and tear the last 4 seasons, or is it rust? That will be interesting which way that unfolds. Ronnie quietly was big time before the injury but will he return to that form? Hilliard and Parmele's battle for the number 3 slot will be interesting. Don't go to sleep on Hilliard. While not explosive, he is rugged.
5. Will Jake Long be able to handle speed rushers? Interesting to see how he adjusts to the speed of the game.
6. Who will play left guard? Steve McKinney? Darilek? Will the Dolphins sign Bentley? Murphy, Thomas, and Sosa seem like long shots. This is a very unsettled position to say the least. Darilek may be needed as the top backup at tackle so if McKinney can stay healthy, it might be him. The rookies seem too green and not there physically either yet.
7. Is Jason Allen going to come on in the new simplified scheme? He provides sorely needed playmaking ability and good range. He is a capable tackler. The Dolphins hope that this is the year he becomes a top flight safety.
8. Can Fasano stay healthy and be solid at tight end? The Dolphins arguably had the worst tight end situation in the league last year and need Fasano to step up in the worst way. How will he play? Pedestrian, workmanlike? Or will he be a playmaker? If he is more of a blocker, will the Dolphins go get an H back next season who can catch the football a la Dallas Clark or Dustin Keller? The Dolphins will need to do something there.
9. Besides (hopefully) Ginn and Wilford, who will contribute at receiver? Yikes this is a scary question. Hagan has never shown mental toughness. Will he flash a 180 degree turnaround? Odds are not good but you never know. This will be his last shot in Miami. Parcells will not put up with his mental weakness. Who else can play here? My guess is Miami invests in a free agent wide receiver next season *and* a high draft pick, perhaps a second rounder. Miami needs weapons in the passing game. Right now, it would seem that Miami easily has the worst receiving corps in the league.
10. How will the defensive line rotation shape up? Carey says Roth has improved. He is up to 285 lbs and has a good motor but can he hang in there against the run? Will Langford or Merling contribute at all this year? Who will help Ferguson at nose? Starks seems earmarked for end, but it sure seems like we could use his help at nose. But can he even do it? Is Soliai hopeless or will he put it together? Like Hagan, my suspicion is that Parcells will put other underachievers like Soliai on a short leash. Will Rod Wright make it? He is just a body at this point.
11. Will Channing Crowder ever make a big play? The kid is short on game changing plays. But at 250 lbs, he seems suited to play inside in the 3-4. Let's see him improve. My guess is he gets paired with Akin Ayodele, with Torbor being the 5th linebacker who contributes off the bench at multiple spots.
12. In the secondary, will the corners make any big plays? Will Allen is solid and is even a sure tackler -- he just will not intercept many balls, let alone run something back for a score. Goodman is decent in coverage as is Lehan. Daniels may not make the team, although Travis does have a good nose for the football so that may save his job. At strong safety, can Bell stay healthy or is he the classic example of someone too pumped up, thereby leading to too many injuries?
