Miami Dolphins 2007 Team Preview

Emory Hunt, Director of Scouting

QB-

It’s been 8 years since Hall-of-Famer Dan Marino retired and the Dolphins are still searching for his replacement. The Dolphins hoped that Daunte Culpepper could be the answer, so they took a chance on the injured all-pro. This year Culpepper is out of the picture and is caught up in a nasty battle with the organization for his release. The team was able to bring in the veteran QB Trent Green from the Kansas City Chiefs. Green is an excellent stop gap at this stage of this career due to his age (38) and recent injury history (concussion), but the Dolphins have to get younger at that position. In an effort to get younger the Dolphins grabbed quarterback John Beck from BYU in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft. Beck is viewed as the QB of the future. His accuracy and maturity (25yrs old) has him poised to take over the starting job in 2008.

RB-

Former 2nd overall pick Ronnie Brown hasn’t produced as his selection would indicate. Brown lacks creativity as a runner and is better suited in an I-Back offense that would take advantage of his abilities to run downhill and between the tackles. Brown would also benefit from a two-back offense like he ran at Auburn with Buccaneers RB Cadillac Williams. The drafting of Florida State speedster Lorenzo Booker in the 3rd round of the ’07 draft will help the running game be more explosive. And what’s not to like about FB Cory Schlesinger who enters his 13th year of clearing out holes for running backs.

WR-

The Dolphins drafted Ohio State star Ted Ginn with the 9th overall pick in this year’s draft. The pick was much ridiculed around the league and even by Dolphins fans who wanted the team to select QB Brady Quinn. I personally like the Ginn pick. Ginn is raw as a WR, but it’s his playmaking abilities that can’t be ignored. He will fit nicely alongside Marty Booker and Chris Chambers until he is ready to take over as a #1 or #2 receiver. With blistering speed and home run return skills, it was hard for the Dolphins to pass on him. Chris Chambers is the Dolphins best receiver. Every game he makes an outstanding catch. Yes his production slipped a bit in ’06, but much of that can be attributed to spotty QB play. Look for Chambers to regain his Pro Bowl form of ’05. Marty Booker is a solid veteran who is consistent at catching crucial 3rd down passes. If second year man Derek Hagan can figure out how to catch the ball, he would definitely be another weapon in the passing game. At TE, David Martin is the new starter after the team decided to let go Randy McMichael in the off-season. McMichael was a team leader and will be missed but Martin is more of a pass-catcher that Coach Cam Cameron loves.

OL-

There’s a lot of shuffling going on along the Dolphins offensive line. L.J. Shelton, the team’s ’06 starter at LT, is moving over to the RT position. Vernon Carey is moving over to LT. Carey is a better option at LT because of his athleticism. The Dolphins drafted G Samson Satele out of Hawaii in the 2nd round. Satele is a mauler who will start right away and is in the mold of Jacksonville Jaguars OL Chris Naeole. I like Satele because of his nastiness and versatility. Rex Hadnot is the starting center and the team’s best lineman. Hadnot becomes a free agent at the end of the season and it would be in the Dolphins best interest to re-sign him. Veteran Mike Rosenthal provides quality depth at both tackle spots.

DL-

Dolphins DE Jason Taylor, NT Keith Traylor, and DT Vonnie Holliday have a combined 36 yrs of NFL experience. While a bit long in the tooth, the trio is still a very solid unit. Taylor, the reigning NFL Defensive MVP, is the sack specialist who always has a knack for coming up with the big play at the right time. Vonnie Holliday cashed in on his solid ’06 performance with a 4-year contract extension. Holliday is a versatile player who is capable of playing both DT and DE. He fits nicely next to mammoth NT Keith Traylor. Traylor is still effective as a run stuffer even though he’s in the twilight of his career. I like what rookie DT Paul Soliai from Utah brings to the table. At 6’4 344lbs, Soliai was a steal in the 4th round. Matt Roth, the second year man out of Iowa, is ready to fill the void left by last year’s starter at DE, Kevin Carter. Roth is a strong player who plays ith a high motor.

LB-

Zach Thomas is the rock in the middle that holds the entire group together. Thomas is entering his 12th NFL season and is still producing at a high level finishing with a team high 165 tackles. The Dolphins signed free agent Joey Porter in the off-season. The former Pittsburgh Steeler, brings toughness and pass rushing ability to the outside linebacker position. Porter is also another vocal leader in that LB corps. Channing Crowder rounds out the starting lineup. Crowder is a tenacious backer who is all over the run game but is a liability in coverage. He did manage to finish second on the team in tackles.

DB-

Cornerback Will Allen is the Dolphins #1 corner. The former 1st round pick out of Syracuse is a rare corner that is sound in run support but doesn’t get that many interceptions. Travis Daniels lost some confidence last season as he struggled with injuries, but I fully expect him to return to back to the CB that he was his rookie year. At nickel corner is Andre Goodman who logged some starts last year as well. The Dolphins hope that ’06 2nd round pick Jason Allen’s rookie campaign was an aberration. Allen struggled heavily last year after a lengthy holdout during training camp. Renaldo Hill is the team’s best safety and most consistent DB. Overall this unit is solid but definitely needs to create more turnovers.

Special Teams-

The Dolphins had to replace long time Kicker, Olinda Mare who signed with the New Orleans Saints. Jay Feely, who kicked for the New York Giants last year, is a quality kicker. There may not be that much of a difference between the two, other than Mare has a stronger leg for kickoffs.

Schedule –

Miami opens up with 2 out of 3 games on the road against Washington and the Jets. Although they get Dallas at home, that’s still a tough game because the Cowboys were a playoff team last year and looks to contend this year. The Dolphins late Fall/Winter schedule includes road trips to Philly, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and New England. At least they get a “home” game against the Giants in London, England. Head Coach Cam Cameron has his work cut out for him this season as he hopes to lead the Dolphins back to the playoffs.