Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.
Offseason Additions: Gibril Wilson (S); Jason Taylor (DE); Jake Grove (C).
Offseason Losses: Andre’ Goodman (CB); Vonnie Holliday (DE); Renaldo Hill (CB); John Beck (QB).
Player to Watch: Ted Ginn Jr., WR.
Ginn will be under the microscope this season as he enters his third year. Many receivers don’t blossom until their third season and the Dolphins are hoping the same can be said for Ginn, who has looked rather subpar in his first two years after being selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2007 draft. Ginn has incredible speed and was a playmaker at Ohio State, but he’s had trouble getting off the line in the pros as defensive backs have had success jamming him and not allowing him to get into his routes. This has made him invisible on the field at times and has limited his production. Once he gets the ball in his hands he’s a threat to take it to the house. But getting the ball in his hands is the problem. After a lackluster preseason, the pressure is on Ginn to produce in ’09.
Team Strength: Thanks to a plethora of capable backs and the addition of the Wildcat formation, the Dolphins will once again have solid running game in 2009. Ronnie Brown has completely recovered from his 2007 ACL surgery and should rack up plenty of yards as he enters a contract year. Although there are concerns that he’s losing a step after an unimpressive preseason, backup Ricky Williams gained 659 yards last season and is serviceable. The same thing can be said for third stringer Patrick Cobbs, who should see more touches this season. Throw in playmaking rookie Pat White (who will cut his teeth in different offensive packages, including the Wildcat) and the Dolphins’ running game can burn opponents in a variety of ways.
Potential Weakness: Not that this group held the Dolphins back last year, but the team lacks a true No. 1 receiver. Ginn has a lot of talent and is starting to show signs of developing into a more complete player, but he’s still a better fit to be a No. 2. Greg Camarillo, Davone Bess and rookie Brian Hartline continue to battle for the spot opposite Ginn and while each brings something different to the table, no one has stepped up and claimed the job. Chances are that head coach Tony Sparano will give all three playing time in hopes that one emerges from the pack. The good thing for Miami is that Dan Henning’s offense isn’t dependent on having a No. 1 receiver who can take over a game. Quarterback Chad Pennington is outstanding at reading defenses and finding open receivers, so as long as Miami’s wideouts can avoid drops and run crisp routes, they’ll be fine.
Outlook: Pennington often gets knocked because of his limitations as a passer, but he’s one of the smartest signal callers in the game and is vital to Miami’s success. He’ll once again be aided by a solid running game, a still-improving offensive line that features powerful left tackle Jake Long, and productive tight ends Anthony Fasano and David Martin. Defensively, the Dolphins will rely on rookie Sean Smith to start opposite Will Allen at cornerback and first round pick Vontae Davis at nickelback. The secondary received a boost this offseason with the addition of free safety Gibril Wilson, who provides an upgrade over Renaldo Hill (who departed via free agency this offseason). Yeremiah Bell returns to his strong safety spot after leading the Dolphins in tackles in 2008. Miami hopes that the addition of pass-rusher Jason Taylor (who returns to South Beach after a one-year stint in Washington) will provide Joey Porter more opportunities to rest and free up linebacker Channing Crowder to have a bigger impact in all areas.
Outside of the new additions in the secondary, this is essentially the same team that finished 11-5 last year and won the AFC East. So why such a low ranking? For one, Tom Brady is healthy and thus the Patriots are once again the team to beat in the division. Also, Miami’s schedule is brutal, with six games coming against ’08 playoff teams, on top of the two contests against New England. The Dolphins didn’t beat themselves last year and they stayed relatively healthy, which helped them win the division. But they’re not going to sneak up on opponents this year and this isn’t a team with a ton of talent. A repeat AFC East title seems unrealistic, although a playoff berth is certainly still well within reach – especially under the guidance of Sparano and Bill Parcells.
2009 Prediction: 2nd, AFC East.
