NFL Releases Mid Way Statistical Projections - Miami Dolphins On Track For Several Milestones

The NFL today released a statistical look at all 32 teams, and some of the highlights from each team.  The Miami Dolphins find themselves looking forward to several milestones, including three players joining some elite company.

Running back Reggie Bush is currently on pace to reach the 1,100 yards from scrimmage mark for just the second time in his career.  In 2006, he reached 1,307 yards.  This year, his pace puts him at 1,182 yards.

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall has 46 catches, so far this year.  With 54 more receptions, he will join Marvin Harrison and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice as the only players with 100 receptions in 4 NFL seasons.  New England Patriots wide out Wes Welker is also on pace to reach 100 catches for the 4th time in his career.

Linebacker Cameron Wake is on track to reach double-digit sacks for the second straight season. He had 14 in 2010, and is currently projected to end up with 11 this season.

Linebacker Jason Taylor currently has 134.5 career sacks.  He needs just 7.5 sacks to surpass Pro Football Hall of Famers John Randle (137.5), Richard Dent (137.5), and Michael Strahan (141.5) for the fifth-most all-time.    

Currently, running back Daniel Thomas leads the AFC in rookie rushing yards, with 314.  Indianapolis Colts running back Delone Carter is right behind him with 313 yards.

Some notable non-Dolphins projections include Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who is on pace to reach 5,406 yards - which would pass Hall of Famer, and Dolphins great, Dan Marino's NFL record 5,084 yards in 1984.  Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is also on pace to break Marino's record - with Rodgers looking at 5,238 yards passing.  But, the new NFL record could be set by New Orleans' Drew Brees.  Brees became the first player to throw for over 3,000 yards in 9 weeks of NFL action.  He is on pass for 6,004 yards passing.

 New York Jets running back LaDanian Tomlinson if 130 yards short of surpassing Jerome Bettis for fifth all time in rushing yards.  

Panthers rookie Cam Newton is on pace for 4,786 yards passing.  That total would surpass Peyton Manning's NFL rookie record 3,739 by more than 1,000 yards.  Fellow Panther, Steve Smith is currently on pace to reach 1,836 yards receiving.  That number would rank second all time in single season receiving yards, behind Jerry Rice's 1,848 yards in 1995.

 The Chicago Bears' running back, Matt Forte, is on pace to surpass 1,600 yards rushing, and 800 yards receiving - which would be the first time that ever happened.  His 2,400+ yards from scrimmage could challenge Chris Johnson's NFL record of 2,509 yards from scrimmage in 2009.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is on pace for 4,358 yards passing and 38 touchdowns.  Both of those numbers would break the franchise records, currently held by former Miami Dolphins Scott Mitchell.  Mitchell set both those records (4,338 yards, 32 touchdowns) in 1995.