Football Diner Review / Preview
Miami Dolphins
by Paul Hopkins
14/3/2009
 
Overview
 
To say that the Miami Dolphins exceeded all expectations in 2008 would probably be the under-statement of the NFL year. The 2007 Dolphins were nothing short of abysmal, gaining only one win on their way to a franchise worst season in every way. However, in the NFL there is a man who is famed for coming in and turning around teams and making them playoff contenders within the year. That man is Bill Parcells.
Now, no-one expected the upturn in the Fins fortunes to be quite as marked, but under the tutelage of Parcells and new Head Coach Tony Sparano, the new regime swept through the organisation clearing out established star names like Jason Taylor, bringing in established veterans like Chad Pennington, Jason Ferguson and Akin Ayodele and breathing new life into underperforming veterans like Joey Porter.
The effect was outstanding. Going from the worst team in the NFL to champions of the AFC East, beating out the Brett Favre-led Jets and the previous season's perfect campaigners – the Patriots to the post-season where unsurprisingly the run ended against the Ravens.
That they took everyone by surprise is an understatement but the big question facing Sparano in 2009 is how to build on that. A repeat performance is a lofty target to achieve, but the future is suddenly looking bright in Florida.
 
Quarterbacks
 
The single best acquisition made by anyone in the NFL last season was the Dolphins picking up Chad Pennington as soon as the Jets dumped him to bring in one-season wonder Brett Favre. Pennington's leadership ability has never been in question. Indeed, there wasn't anyone who didn't think that he would be a good presence in the locker room. Where Chad surprised everyone however, was in his on-field performances. The durability questions went away, he made good decisions in games and executed when he had to. For Sparano he was the general this team needed.
Grade – A+
 
Running Backs
 
The Dolphins began their way back to the top based on a strong and innovative rushing game. The sign that they were back with a vengeance came on a Sunday September afternoon in New England where the wildcat was unleashed on a bewildered Patriots defence with astonishing effect on way to a 38-13 thrashing. Ronnie Brown rushed for four touchdowns as the Dolphins brought the college game to the pro's. Brown had a strong season after suffering injury in 2007, and was ably supported by a man who was beginning to make his way back. To the surprise of many Bill Parcells gave Ricky Williams a chance and as a situational bit part player he performed admirably as well. On the back of a smart and effective QB, the running game formed a backbone for the Dolphins.
Grade – B+
 
Wide Receivers
 
The Miami Dolphins used the 9th overall pick in 2007 to draft Ted Ginn Jr out of Ohio State. At the time it was viewed as a reach and after the 2007 season it's not unreasonable to say most people saw him as a bust. In 2008 Ginn began to claw his way back from the edge. A team leading 56 catches only produced two touchdowns but Ginn began to show flashes of the deep threat he offers. Alongside him we had Greg Camarillo emerge as a credible WR. Again, he only caught two touchdown passes all year but as a “typical Parcells player” i.e. undrafted and gets by with a lot of effort and positive attitude, he more than earned his new contract before injury ended his season early. Another undrafted FA from Hawaii Davone Bess shone and became an important part of the offence. RB's Brown and Williams also played sound supporting roles in the passing game. Earnest Wilford, picked up by Jacksonville was a complete washout.
Grade - C
 
Tight Ends
 
One of Bill Parcells' old players from Dallas came with him to Miami and began to show some of the promise that prompted Bill to use the Cowboys' second round pick in 2006 on Anthony Fasano. After gaining a reputation in Dallas for not being the most sure of hands, he was the Dolphins leading TD receiver, grabbing seven touchdowns as he emerged as Pennington's safety net within the red zone.
Grade - B Offensive Line
 
All eyes at the start of the year were on #1 overall pick Jake Long, out of Michigan. It is fair to say performed up to the level that could be expected of the top pick in the draft coming into a 1-15 team at left tackle. Opposite him on the right side, Vernon Carey was equally as impressive giving Pennington two anchors to his offensive line. Inside, the performances were not as strong but still relatively solid. Second year centre Samson Satele struggled consistently against the pass rush and will be replaced by new free agent pick-up Jake Grove (5 year $30m), Setale may see a shift along to guard come his way where he will be able to compete against Justin Smiley and Ike Ndukwe who struggled at times during the year.
Grade – B
 
Defensive Line
 
Two years ago Vonnie Holliday and Jason Taylor anchored the ends of this 4-3 defence. Two years on both are free agents as Sparano has installed a 3-4 defence. Perennial Parcells favourite at nose tackle, Jason Ferguson came in from Dallas and did his usual consistent job as did Randy Starks, a FA pick-up from the Titans where he played in a 4-3. Holliday himself was a strong performer but since the season has ended he has been granted his release by the team. One of the two second round choices in 2008 was spent on Clemson's Philip Merling who, at one time was identified as a first round pick proved to be another shrewd draftee, and he will be expected to continue his development to ensure Holliday is not missed.
Grade – B
 
Linebackers
 
There were huge sighs of relief in Miami when Channing Crowder was locked down to a new contract after the season. Crowder led the linebacking crew in tackles and continued to be the emotional leader of this defence. The standout star of the defence however, was a guy who used to be an emotional leader of a team but hasn't lived up to his hype since coming to Miami. That man being Joey Porter. Rushing off the edge he amassed an impressive 18 sacks and looked back to his very best. On the inside Akin Ayodele and on the outside Matt Roth also contributed strongly to a unit that was impressive all year long.
Grade – A-
 
Secondary
 
In the secondary Yeremiah Bell and Will Allen were the standout performers. At strong safety Bell led the team in tackles and crucially remained injury free and deserved his contract extension signed after the season. Alongside him at free safety next season he will be joined by Gbril Wilson who should be an upgrade. At the cornerback position Allen made one side of the field his own, but Andre Goodman despite a team leading five interceptions, Renaldo Hill and Jason Allen struggled to really stamp their authority in similar terms on the other cornerback position.
Grade – B-
 
Special Teams
 
After cutting Jay Feeley rather surprisingly (confirming to anyone who'd forgotten that when you work for Parcells he doesn't like you talking to the press) Dan Carpenter did an admirable job. In the punting unit Brandon Fields performed a strong supporting role.
Grade - B
 
Coaching
 
It's not an unfair suggestion to make that Tony Sparano was not well known beyond Dallas and those who had worked with him, when he was appointed as the Head Coach of the Dolphins under Bill Parcells. Indeed, most people saw him as a patsy whom Parcells would control and whilst there are signs that Parcells is having an input into the playing side, this is clearly Sparano's team whom he has impressed his philosophy upon. As first year's go they don't get as good as this. The challenge now, is to built on it.
Grade – A+