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We all know it, despite what many "experts" like to say. The Miami Dolphins dramatically upgraded their offense this offseason. They suddenly have weapons all over the field, and second year quarterback Ryan Tannehill should be able to dissect opposing defenses at will. Two of those new weapons for Miami are free agent additions Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson, who, along with the re-signing of Brian Hartline, aggressively remodeled the Dolphins' wide receiver corps.
Add in tight end Dustin Keller, and the Dolphins' passing game seems poised to be an explosive part of the game.
NFL.com, at least, sees the improvement. In their list of the most improved positional groups around the NFL, the Dolphins took the receiving corps.
Nominal No. 1 receiver Brian Hartline managed to convert 131 targets into one measly touchdown last season. The only other NFL wide receiver with at least 100 targets and fewer than three touchdowns was Davone Bess, also of the Dolphins. In other words, Ryan Tannehill's so-called weapons lacked any semblance of playmaking ability.
Enter Mike Wallace, one of the rare breed capable of scoring touchdowns (32 in four seasons), drawing double teams and blowing the top off of defenses. Wallace has averaged a touchdown every 12.7 targets compared to 41.7 for Bess and 50.2 for Hartline. On top of Wallace's deep speed changing the dynamics of the entire offense, tight end Dustin Keller gives the Dolphins their first movable chess piece at tight end since Randy McMichael was in his prime nearly a decade ago.
With the start of preseason games still six weeks away, this is of course all based on assumptions and talent "on paper." But is sure is nice to see the Dolphins get some positive media attention every once in a while.