I'm I biased??
I know I'm probably biased, but I was reading this article in the USA Today by Skip Wood where he goes over Miami's entire depth chart, and somehow (with the exception of the secondary), it didn’t sound all that bad. Do you agree?
Quarterback: With the Trent Green experiment having gone terribly awry — as the Daunte Culpepper tango did a year earlier — the Dolphins are looking at a three-way competition for the starting job in what should be the primary focus in camp. Look for veteran Josh McCown to have an early edge, followed by second-year man John Beck and the possible long-term answer, rookie Chad Henne from Michigan.
Running back: They are coming off injuries, but Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are expected to be at or at least near full strength come camp. Brown is entering his fourth season and was having a breakout 2007 before tearing a knee ligament. Williams — despite his many off-field foibles — remains a credible threat.
Wide receiver: Chris Chambers was shipped to San Diego during the 2007 season, so the heavy lifting for 2008 probably will fall to Ted Ginn Jr. and Ernest Wilford, who arrived as a free agent from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Finding depth will be pivotal.
Tight end: David Martin was unimpressive last season, though he was hampered by spotty quarterback play. Anthony Fasano arrived from the Dallas Cowboys in a trade and should get a chance to start.
Offensive line: This unit is as important as anything to new football CEO Bill Parcells, and the Dolphins look as though they'll make him happy. Jake Long was the first pick in the draft, and he'll play left tackle, freeing Vernon Carey to slide to right tackle. Samson Satele was the first Miami rookie to start 16 games at center a year ago. Free agent Justin Smiley will start at one guard spot.
Defensive line: Jason Taylor remains one of the game's premier pass rushers, but whether he remains a Dolphin is uncertain. He'll also probably be a linebacker in Parcells' 3-4 look. Newcomer Jason Ferguson is the likely nose tackle. Rookie end Phillip Merling was a nice draft pick, and Vonnie Holliday's best days probably are behind him. End Matt Roth should start and provide energy.
Linebacker: It's hard to believe Zach Thomas is gone, but gone he is. Joey Porter returns, and he had a strong second half of the season after being hobbled by an injury. Also back is Channing Crowder, and new blood has arrived in the form of Akin Ayodele and Reggie Torbor.
Secondary: Will Allen is set at one corner; he's the only guy in the defensive backfield who started all 16 games a year ago. Improvement is expected from Travis Daniels. There's a bit of a logjam at safety, with Yeremiah Bell the leader. Jason Allen, a 2006 first-rounder, needs to start making an impact.
Special teams: Everything is pretty much set. Reliable kicker Jay Feely returns, as does punter Brandon Fields. Ginn was solid as a returner last season but didn't strike fear into opponents — a — la the Chicago Bears' Devin Hester. Look for the Dolphins to put an increased emphasis on across-the-board special-teams play.
Coaching staff: In short, an overhaul. Gone is Cam Cameron, replaced by Tony Sparano, who's in his first major head coaching position. He spent the last five years with the Dallas Cowboys, primarily overseeing the O-line. Well-traveled Dan Henning is the new offensive coordinator, and Paul Pasqualoni takes over the defense.
Outlook: Let's see. New football czar, new general manager, new coach and new coordinators. A 1-15 record last season. All that talk about how, in today's NFL, franchises can go from awful to solid in the span of one season? Not here. Not now. Things probably will get considerably better, but only after a year or two.
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Nope.
The biggest difference is in the coaching staff. It’ll be a trickle down effect, everything from toughness and conditioning, to motivation. B.P and Co. know the difference between 1-15 team and a 7-9 team is better special teams (field position) and a decent defense. This team won’t be flashy, but it’ll be hard working and fundamentally sound. No superstars necessary.
"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic." -Unknown
by Daren on
May 9, 2008 6:15 PM EDT
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Yes you are biased, but you can still be optimistic!
There’s a lot of unknowns. IF Jason Taylor (assuming he stays) and Joey Porter light it up, I think the Defense has a lot of potential. IF Ronnie and Ricky are/say healthy, the running game has alot of promise. IF we can get quality play from the QB position. What is nice is that there are zero expectations. If the IFs don’t pan out, there is very little disappointment at least for the first year.
One comment on the article, I think Vonnie Holliday has a better chance to have an impact in the 3-4 than Matt Roth due to sheer size considerations.
by DolphDallas on
May 9, 2008 9:54 PM EDT
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agreed completely
I can’t see Roth having a very big impact at all on the DL in the 3-4. Holliday will be part of what should be a very strong DL rotation with Ferguson, Starks, Merling, Langford, Dotson, and Wright (if he makes the squad). There is definitely a lot of if’s going into this season, but I think they are all set up for success. The QB (whoever it ends up being) will have a chance to succeed because of what should be very good OL play and a solid running game. Ronnie should have a chance to ease back into full time action while the other backs carry the load for the opening part of the season, so he should return to 100%. Taylor and Porter excel in a good 3-4 defense, and this coaching staff will know what to do with Porter to get the most out of his abilities, so the front 7 on defense will be one of our strong points. The biggest question marks for me are the secondary of course because we have talent, but only 1 guy who has really proven himself to be a reliable starter (Will Allen), and the passing game overall. From QB play, to the WR’s to the play from our TE’s, the passing game as a whole needs to develop for us to have success.
http://canemutiny.blogspot.com A fans view of Miami Hurricanes Football and Basketball
by Little Nicky 21 on
May 10, 2008 12:36 AM EDT
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the author is right
this is not a quick fix but we will see improvement this year
by Patssuck456 on
May 12, 2008 9:46 AM EDT
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I...
...think that this can be more than just an improved team and I think it involves only two positions.
Running back. Quarterback.
If either Ronnie or Ricky are back to form and there is better play at quarterback then this team will be good, not merely improved.
Every other position has been improved and deepened, with the only exception being linebacker. Zach will be missed, as he was last year. They did deepen that position though.
www.thephinisher.com
by The Phinisher on
May 13, 2008 12:02 PM EDT
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