NFL 2006 Preview: The Miami Dolphins
Quarterback- The addition of Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington to the Dolphins roster should have answered the quarterback position for Miami in 2006. However, Culpepper is still recovering from a serious knee injury in 2005 and may not be ready to play at full strength in 2006. Harrington, of course, has been a notorious underachiever with the Detroit Lions and many people are wary of his ability to play off of the bench and make himself into a top flight reserve quarterback (read Tim Couch). If Culpepper can play and keep his hands on the ball and not fumble or throw it to the other team, the Dolphins will be in good shape. If Culpepper goes down, the Dolphins will hope that Harrington will be able enough to keep the offense moving. For Dolphins fans, there are too many ifs at the quarterback spot in the 2006 NFL season .
2006 NFL Grade: B for potential, C for execution.
Running Back/ Full Back- With Ricky Williams suspended this year and playing in the CFL, the backfield belongs to second year back Ronnie Brown. Brown will get every opportunity to be a playmaker in the Dolphins offense and Dolphin fans should be ready to see Brown break the 1,200 yard marker and develop into a serviceable receiving back. Backups Sammy Morris and Travis Minor provide speed and a change of pace behind Brown and will do well on third down situations and in the shotgun. Fullback Darien Barnes will continue to develop into a solid NFL fullback in 2006.
2006 NFL Grade: B
Wide Receiver/ Tight End- Outside of Chris Chambers, the Dolphins may be in trouble this year with their receiving corps. Marty Booker is a decent receiver but has not been playing well enough to be considered an alternative to Chambers and Derek Hagan is young and needs to adjust to NFL play. At tight end, Teyo Johnson and Justin Peelle are going to try and fill the need for a playmaking tight end in the Dolphins offense with disappointing results in 2006. Chambers will have a fine year but the lack of other options will leave him a target for opposing defenses.
2006 NFL Grade: C
Offensive Line- The offensive line for the Miami Dolphins is a solid group and will give some assistance to Culpepper and Ronnie Brown in 2006. Veteran center Seth McKinney is a great mainstay on the Dolphins line, guards Jeno James and Bennie Anderson are good enough to make holes for the running game, and tackles Wade Smith and Damion McIntosh will protect Culpepper’s front and back. However, Culpepper had a great line in Minnesota for so many years that he cannot blame the Dolphins line for most of the fumbling and interception problems he may have in 2006.
2006 NFL Grade: B+
Defensive Line- The defensive line for the Dolphins is growing older with each additional offseason as the team pins their hopes on veteran lineman rather than homegrown young defensive talent. The line of Jason Taylor, Vonnie Holiday, Kevin Carter, Jeff Zgonina, and Keith Traylor should be good enough to stuff the run and provide a decent pass rush. However, outside of the great Jason Taylor, none of these lineman is good enough to make big plays for the Dolphins’ defense. While defensive line by committee works for a little while, it won’t work well with a group of aging and underachieving lineman.
2006 NFL Grade: C+
Linebacker- Much like the defensive line, the linebacker corps for the Miami Dolphins is a group of the aged and the underachieving. While Zach Thomas has been a Dolphins mainstay for a long time, age is starting to catch up with him and his leadership ability will not trump his declining skill. The other linebackers, including Sedrick Hodge, Donnie Spragan, and Keith Newman, are average linebackers at best and don’t expect any huge plays from the Miami linebackers in 2006.
2006 NFL Grade: C+
Defensive Back- The defensive backfield has plenty of talent but they are not a cohesive unit coming into 2006 and their individual talent will not be enough to stop the big plays against better offenses in the AFC. Corners Will Allen, Will Poole, and Travis Daniels are talented enough to play in the NFL but none has distinguished themselves outside of some isolated instances of play making, which has to worry Dolphins fans. Safeties Travares Tillman and Deke Cooper may be solid, play making defensive backs in a few years but in 2006 they are not good enough to make up for lapses in the cornerbacks’ play.
2006 NFL Grade: C+
Kicker/Punter- Kicker Olindo Mare will continue to provide great kicking in 2006, looking to help Miami over the hump in the many close games they are sure to play this season. Mare will be joined in 2006 by punter Donnie Jones, whose 43.5 net yard average shows promise to pin teams deep in 2006. Mare and Jones will be one of the better specialist parings in 2006, providing a shining spot on the Dolphins.
2006 NFL Grade: A-
2006 NFL Projection- The Dolphins will improve a bit under Nick Saban in 2006, though the Patriots are far and away the most talented team in the AFC East. Look for Miami to go 8-8 or 9-7 in 2006 with an eye to 2007.
