It's mid-term and a good time to review this season and look ahead. Losing is never an easy thing to accept, but the 2005 Dolphins have played much the way I expected them to....very unpredictably. The up and down performance of this team can be contributed to a new coaching staff and philosophy, huge turnover (highest in the league), hangover effect from last year, tough schedule, and lack of talent. No one should be surprised.
Rather than look at individual play, it might be more useful to analyze the various units on the team.
Offensive Passing Unit
The obvious and glaring problem is the inconsistency from the QB position. We have been forced all year, save the Denver game, to play not to lose....a road we have been down for years, especially with the Wanny era. The Dolphins will never be a great team until we have a QB that can play to win, instead of trying to avoid a loss. Chris Chambers was given a chance to lead this team and he failed. Simple as that. He did not do the things leaders have to do to be successful. His reign as the #1 WR will end this year. The Dolphins will seek a #1 and Marty Booker may get caught in a numbers game, meaning we can't pay him #2 money for playing as a #3. I think Chambers will be a very good #2, but he is not a leader and will never be a solid #1.
Welker and Gilmore are excellent backups and ST guys, so they will be here next year. Our offensive line has pass blocked well and should continue to improve. You really can't blame the passing game problems on them. Don't forget - most teams are loading the box to stop the run and we still can't pass against them.
The tight end position has been a little disappointing. McMichael has become a better blocker, but has become less reliable as a receiver. I really don't put a lot of blame on him. He has been wide open many times and our pathetic QB's have not found him. It has to be frustrating, with his talent, to play in this pass offense.
Summary - We need a better QB and a #1 WR. Improvement on the line would be good, but if Saban finds the 2 right players (QB and WR).....this unit is 100% better.
Offensive Running Game
Ronnie Brown is simply the most exciting RB to play in the NFL in many years. He has it all - speed, determination, power, receiving and blocking ability. Ronnie is the best Dolphin's draft pick since Dan Marino. Ricky has been a positive compliment and, if he stays, this duo can be very special. Our line needs to be more consistent, but they have averaged 5+ YPC lately. The real problem has been Linehan's insistence to not use them more often - hard to figure out. As mentioned earlier, every defense we face loads the box against us, and when you combine that problem with no passing game, I would say we have done extremely well.
Summary - Continued improvement with the line and keep everyone we have now. Even with no change, the running unit is the strength of the team.
Defensive Passing Game
How the mighty have fallen. In what used to be a major strength, this unit is unquestionably the weakest part of this team. Madison and Howard are two highly paid veterans that were supposed to carry the load this year, but the only load they have carried each week is mainly used for fertilizer. I think both guys need to go...simple as that. Daniels has had a very positive rookie year and can play corner or safety next year. Shulters, Jones, and Bell all have had decent years, even Tillman has surprised.
Our pass rushing has been inconsistent, due to Jason's injury, the slow development of Matt Roth and probably lack of talent. This is not necessarily a weakness, but the right DE and it could be a strength. I don't Roth is the guy.
Summary - We need two very good corners to replace Madison and Howard...the rest of the secondary will take care of itself. My choice is two pick up at least one top notch free agent to fill the bill. A good pass rushing DE in the draft would be nice as well.
Defensive Running Game
Give Saban credit. The Dolphins have improved a great deal in this area. Most of the guys who have been poor tacklers and are not helping the running game (Madison) will probably not be here next year. We have good veterans on the line and several young guys waiting in the wings. We may need to get a good DE because Jason Taylor is aging and Matt Roth and David Bowens are not the answer. Our linebacking unit is one good player away from being dominant. If Zach stays and Crowder continues to improve and we add a Chadway or Hawk running next to them, that would be awesome.
Summary - Big improvement from last year, but a DE and LB are needed next year. The front seven could be a major force in 2006.
Special Teams
A strength for the Dolphins this year. Olindo found his groove again, Jones turned out to be a great pickup, and the coverage units have done well for the most part. Wes Welker continues to be amazing. Denny, the long snapper, has adjusted well to replace Ed Perry. One really quick retuner would be nice to add speed, lessen Welker's load, and provide some good backup in case Welker goes down.
Summary - Minor changes are needed. Maybe a burner to help out on return duties, but this has been a fairly good unit all year long.
Final Summary - A QB, #1 WR, LB, DE, and 2 solid corners will greatly improve this team next year. I think we'll find 1 corner, 1 LB, and maybe a DE in the draft, the other starting positions will need to come from free agency. With $20+ million next year to spend, Randy Mueller should have lots of fun.
Rather than look at individual play, it might be more useful to analyze the various units on the team.
Offensive Passing Unit
The obvious and glaring problem is the inconsistency from the QB position. We have been forced all year, save the Denver game, to play not to lose....a road we have been down for years, especially with the Wanny era. The Dolphins will never be a great team until we have a QB that can play to win, instead of trying to avoid a loss. Chris Chambers was given a chance to lead this team and he failed. Simple as that. He did not do the things leaders have to do to be successful. His reign as the #1 WR will end this year. The Dolphins will seek a #1 and Marty Booker may get caught in a numbers game, meaning we can't pay him #2 money for playing as a #3. I think Chambers will be a very good #2, but he is not a leader and will never be a solid #1.
Welker and Gilmore are excellent backups and ST guys, so they will be here next year. Our offensive line has pass blocked well and should continue to improve. You really can't blame the passing game problems on them. Don't forget - most teams are loading the box to stop the run and we still can't pass against them.
The tight end position has been a little disappointing. McMichael has become a better blocker, but has become less reliable as a receiver. I really don't put a lot of blame on him. He has been wide open many times and our pathetic QB's have not found him. It has to be frustrating, with his talent, to play in this pass offense.
Summary - We need a better QB and a #1 WR. Improvement on the line would be good, but if Saban finds the 2 right players (QB and WR).....this unit is 100% better.
Offensive Running Game
Ronnie Brown is simply the most exciting RB to play in the NFL in many years. He has it all - speed, determination, power, receiving and blocking ability. Ronnie is the best Dolphin's draft pick since Dan Marino. Ricky has been a positive compliment and, if he stays, this duo can be very special. Our line needs to be more consistent, but they have averaged 5+ YPC lately. The real problem has been Linehan's insistence to not use them more often - hard to figure out. As mentioned earlier, every defense we face loads the box against us, and when you combine that problem with no passing game, I would say we have done extremely well.
Summary - Continued improvement with the line and keep everyone we have now. Even with no change, the running unit is the strength of the team.
Defensive Passing Game
How the mighty have fallen. In what used to be a major strength, this unit is unquestionably the weakest part of this team. Madison and Howard are two highly paid veterans that were supposed to carry the load this year, but the only load they have carried each week is mainly used for fertilizer. I think both guys need to go...simple as that. Daniels has had a very positive rookie year and can play corner or safety next year. Shulters, Jones, and Bell all have had decent years, even Tillman has surprised.
Our pass rushing has been inconsistent, due to Jason's injury, the slow development of Matt Roth and probably lack of talent. This is not necessarily a weakness, but the right DE and it could be a strength. I don't Roth is the guy.
Summary - We need two very good corners to replace Madison and Howard...the rest of the secondary will take care of itself. My choice is two pick up at least one top notch free agent to fill the bill. A good pass rushing DE in the draft would be nice as well.
Defensive Running Game
Give Saban credit. The Dolphins have improved a great deal in this area. Most of the guys who have been poor tacklers and are not helping the running game (Madison) will probably not be here next year. We have good veterans on the line and several young guys waiting in the wings. We may need to get a good DE because Jason Taylor is aging and Matt Roth and David Bowens are not the answer. Our linebacking unit is one good player away from being dominant. If Zach stays and Crowder continues to improve and we add a Chadway or Hawk running next to them, that would be awesome.
Summary - Big improvement from last year, but a DE and LB are needed next year. The front seven could be a major force in 2006.
Special Teams
A strength for the Dolphins this year. Olindo found his groove again, Jones turned out to be a great pickup, and the coverage units have done well for the most part. Wes Welker continues to be amazing. Denny, the long snapper, has adjusted well to replace Ed Perry. One really quick retuner would be nice to add speed, lessen Welker's load, and provide some good backup in case Welker goes down.
Summary - Minor changes are needed. Maybe a burner to help out on return duties, but this has been a fairly good unit all year long.
Final Summary - A QB, #1 WR, LB, DE, and 2 solid corners will greatly improve this team next year. I think we'll find 1 corner, 1 LB, and maybe a DE in the draft, the other starting positions will need to come from free agency. With $20+ million next year to spend, Randy Mueller should have lots of fun.
