My Dolphin Wish List: Everyone else was already doing it, so why not?

I haven't posted on The Phinsider in quite some time, but have continued to read the Matty and Co. content religiously.

Who doesn't love speculation, particularly in the NFL?  Here's a quick glimpse of my personal wants and needs for the Dolphins going forward into the 2009 season and beyond.  I hope you enjoy the read and feel compelled to offer your own insight!

- A definitive answer on Chad Henne.

Quite simply, is he, or isn't he the one?  As has been previously pointed out, Chad now has 13 games with which to prove himself capable of leading this team.  If the front office can go into the 2010 offseason knowing whether or not they have to start from square one at the quarterback position, the team will be that much better off—waffling will only serve to set things back.

- A resigned Ronnie Brown.

Number 23 is, without a doubt, the most talented player on the Miami roster.  He has, in the opinion of many a Dolphin fan, MVP-caliber abilities.  Any hope of a respectable win-loss record in 2009 is contingent on his personal success.  More importantly, however, are Ronnie's long term plans.  I know Matty is a big fan of locking down Ronnie for the long run, and so am I.  I am, however, growing increasingly wary of Ronnie bolting for another team, perhaps one that is just a big-time running back away from going all the way.  If the "Trifecta" are anything close to the front office masterminds that we've made them out to be, they will not let this nightmare scenario come to fruition.

- A legitimate #1 wide receiver.

This point grows more and more painfully obvious with each passing game.  I've watched Roddy White, Reggie Wayne, and Vincent Jackson during this early season and wept silently to myself.  These wideouts are quintessential game changers, something that our receiving corp is sorely lacking.  I consider myself a staunch supporter of Ted Ginn, as he can and will provide this team with a meaningful presence one day, but it's certainly not as a #1 wide receiver.

-  A playmaking free safety.

If it's not apparent to you already, the Miami Dolphins are currently employing two strong safeties in their defensive backfield.  Antonio Gates and Dallas Clark had field days with this roster blunder. I appreciate Yeremiah Bell and his ability to bounce back from injury in years past, and at the time of the signing, I thought the addition of Gibril Wilson was a positive one.  That was, of course, based on the notion that he could successfully transition back to his free safety form from New York.  Now, I feel as if the situation at safety necessitates a trade, particularly if the team is to eventually employ an Ed Reed-type player.  Which one to part ways with would be subject to much conjecture, but my vote would be to keep the younger Wilson.

- A tight end who can break defensive coordinator's game plans.

By all accounts, Anthony Fasano had a very successful 2008 campaign.  No one can argue with seven touchdown's worth of production out of the tight end position.  But 2009 has, thus far, been a horse of a different color for our Italian Stallion.  As has been allured to on the site, this is in all likelihood due to opposing coordinators' renewed efforts to game plan against our tight end.  This, however, is not the case with a number of teams around the league.  Jason Witten rarely gets shut down by a defensive scheme.  Tony Gonzalez, Dallas Clark, and Antonio Gates make defenders adjust their game plans, rather than the other way around.

- A black hole at defensive tackle.

The centerpiece of a properly run 3-4 defense is a massive, gravity well of a nose tackle.  Since coming over in a trade during the mass exodus from Dallas, Jason Ferguson has, for better or worse, filled this role admirably.  But Ferguson is an elder statesmen in NFL terms, and probably on his last legs as a Miami Dolphin.  Now, if I'm aware of and concerned with this pressing need, I'm positive that the front office tosses and turns at night over it.  More than likely this need will be addressed in the 2010 draft, especially if a certain Oklahoma Sooner is available.

- DeMarcus Ware.

This is probably (definitely) wishful thinking on my part, but I would love to coax, arguably, the most dominating pass-rushing outside linebacker in the NFL out of Dallas and into South Florida.  Certainly, Mr. Parcells can pull some strings for us?  This is, of course, contingent on Ware's refusal to resign with the Cowboys, and I haven't the slightest clue how likely that is.  It's just nice to picture big number 94 lining up to pressure Tom Brady into an errant pass or strip sack, isn't it?