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Positional Analysis
Quarterback:
I believe that the Dolphins have the best roster of QB's since the Dan Marino era.
Chad Pennington was phenomenal last year. Although he is not flashy, I believe he will continue to be that steady hand the 'Phins need to succeed.
Chad Henne has shown he has all the tools necessary to be a starter, but will that translate to production on the field?
He will be feeling the heat from rookie Patrick White, who will probably see more playtime than him this year in the wildcat formation. This could cause the team to rethink everything if he is successful.
Position Grade: B+
Running Back/Full Back:
The R and R Express return for another season. Ronnie Brown turned in a Pro-Bowl season last year, even if he did not break the 1,000 yard barrier. However, can he be a great back outside of the Wildcat?
Ricky Williams is a great backup for the team, and I believe could be a starter if need be.
Depth is an issue with this unit, as Patrick Cobbs and Lex Hilliard are the two backs behind R and R. Cobbs has a great skill set but is no feature back, and Hilliard has a great deal of growing to do.
Polite is an excellent blocking fullback with some solid receiving skills.
Position Grade: B
Wide Receiver:
There are a lot of intriguing options in this group, but there is really no stand-out No. 1 guy. I feel as though Miami needs to find a clear-cut No. 1 in free agency before the season starts.
As of now, Ted Ginn and Greg Camarillo are slated as the starters. I really do think Ted Ginn has great potential, and if Camarillo heals quickly he can be a productive receiver.
Davone Bess and Brandon London were nice surprises last year, especially Bess, who did everything quite well for the 'Phins as a slot receiver.
Ernest Wilford will probably be cut, and so we can expect to see the rookies (Turner and Hartline) compete for time as backups. It really could be worse, though.
Positional Grade: C
Tight End:
This is a group of quality tight ends. They are not the extremely talented game breaker types, ala Antonio Gates or Jason Whitten, but they are very large dependable targets for Pennington and Co.
Fasano proved last year that he could be a starter with seven touchdown catches. He is also a solid blocker. If he becomes a more consistent player, he could be great.
David Martin backs up Fasano, and provides a decent safety blanket. However, watch for 6'7" Joey Haynos to come in to block, and John Nalbone could be a sleeper.
Positional Grade: B
Offensive Line:
This is probably one of the bigger offensive lines in the NFL. They also have a nasty streak and will continue to grow into one of the elite units. Vernon Carey, Jake Long, Jake Grove, and Justin Smiley can all be elite starters.
The key will be that right guard spot. The guard needs to be athletic enough to pull for the running game, yet be sturdy enough for pass protection.
There is also a lot of young depth to this unit.
Positional Grade: B+ and improving!
Defensive Ends:
The 2008 draft yielded two starters in Kendall Langford and Philip Merling. These two played extremely well as rookies and are often overlooked.
Starks and McDaniel have size and strength to compliment Merling and Langford, although the lack of depth on this line seems a bit discerning, and none of the backups really fill the mold of a 3-4 defensive end.
Positional Grade: C-
Nose Tackle:
Jason Ferguson is the epitome of a nose tackle, but at 35-years-old, he has lost a step, and may be a bit undersized at 305 to continue to dominate. Paul Soliai has the size (6'4", 355) to be a dominant nose tackle, but his technique has often been critiqued.
The sleeper in this group is free agent pickup Joe Cohen, the young DT who San Fransisco cast off. The man has the size to play well as a nose tackle, while the 49ers ran him in a 4-3 scheme that did not fit him well.
The Dolphins should have tried to draft a solid NT and should try to scour the waver wires for one.
Positional Grade: D+
Linebackers:
The linebacker unit is an extremely solid unit and is probably the team's strength. Each position is at least two deep, and there is a lot of solid youth to go along with the veterans.
Specifically, Joey Porter is phenomenal and is the best outside blitzing linebacker in the league. Channing Crowder has the swagger and skills to be a defensive leader. Matt Roth has a never-ending motor and used to play DE, so he is skilled as a pass rusher.
Akin Ayodele was a steal last year. Torbor, Moses, Anderson, Kershaw, and Folsom all add quality depth to a solid unit.
Positional Grade: A
Cornerbacks:
This unit is potentially stronger thanks to the draft. Will Allen was a good player last year. Hopefully, that can continue.
Vontae Davis has infinite potential, and could be a great starter this league. Sean Smith's size makes him and great third or fourth corner.
The wild card is Jason Allen. Drafted as a safety, his full time switch to DB could either be great or lead Allen to the title of draft bust. Nate Jones had a couple of nice games, as did Eric Green.
Positional Grade: C-. It could go higher if Vontae and Sean perform. Could also go lower.
Safety:
Very solid group. Gibril Wilson and Yeremiah Bell are as strong starters as you will find in this league.
The backups are all young and have yet to established themselves.
You may also see Jason Allen play safety if the young corners develop quickly, turning Allen into an all around defensive back.
Positional Grade: B
Special Teams:
This could be a very solid part of the team. Dan Carpenter is an All-Pro in the making. Brandon Fields is an excellent punter.
The question is who will return kicks? Will it be Bess? Do you give Ginn another try? Miami should have drafted Captain Munnerlyn of South Carolina with that seventh pick and used him as a return man.
Positional Grade: B.
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