Miami Dolphins: 9 Players Who Need To Elevate Their Games in 2011

The NFL offseason is annually filled with endless speculation and banter about trades, contracts and where marquee free agents will land. In the midst of all that external talk, we tend to overlook internal potential.

Every team is stockpiled with young players raring to break through and veterans ready to elevate their games to new levels. The Miami Dolphins are no exception. Their roster is loaded with players primed to either break through or rebound in 2011.

Not all nine of these players need to "elevate their games" in order for the Dolphins to be successful, but if a majority can, Miami might be in contention for a playoff spot this season.

No. 9: Lousaka Polite

Miami's makeshift offensive line was at fault for most of the team's rushing struggles last season, but fullback Lousaka Polite should shoulder some blame as well. Polite was a fraction of his former self in 2010, failing to replicate the rushing and blocking prowess that made him a household name in 2009.

Even though Polite hardly touches the football, his success is vital—when he thrives, so does the Dolphins running game.

In order to ease the transition for Daniel Thomas, Polite must be at his best in 2011.

No. 8: Phillip Merling

Phillip Merling's play during the upcoming season won't dictate much. In fact, he'll probably play second, and maybe even third fiddle to Randy Starks, Kendall Langford and Jared Odrick.

But Merling needs to step his play up regardless. Kendall Langford will be a free agent after the 2011 season, and if Merling can break through this season, the Dolphins won't have to dish out a hefty extension.

Granted he has posted decent numbers, Merling has not been the staple defensive end Miami thought they drafted in 2008. Instead, he has been a rotational player with off-the-field issues. Even though it will be tough for Merling to shine in this crowded defensive line, he must make the most of his opportunities.

No. 7: Anthony Fasano

Even though Miami's offensive philosophy doesn't seem to emphasize tight ends in the passing game, they would benefit infinitely from doing so. However, Anthony Fasano is yet to prove he can be a true focal point in this offense.

Through three seasons with the the 'Fins, Fasano has recorded 104 receptions for 1,321 yards and 14 touchdowns—respectable, but hardly jaw-dropping numbers.

If last season is any indication, Chad Henne is a check-down quarterback, and having that extra safety-blanket target over the middle would prove invaluable for him. Fasano needs to expand his game and become a more versatile player in 2011.

No. 6: Channing Crowder

Channing Crowder brings an invaluable mixture of swagger, leadership and football I.Q. to a young and budding Dolphins defense. His intangibles cannot be measured in statistics, and you have to give him credit for continually retaining his starting job from all of the potential replacements brought in over the years (Tim Dobbins, Reggie Torbor, etc.).

But while Crowder's intangibles increase, his physical abilities decay. At the ripe age of 27, Crowder plays like he is in his mid-30s. He has minimal pass coverage skills, and more notably, cannot stay healthy.

The 2011 season might be Crowder's final shot at re-establishing his once-promising future. If he could truly boost his play, the sky is the limit for Karlos Dansby and the rest of Miami's linebacker corps.

No. 5: Brandon Marshall

It's difficult to put a player who caught 86 passes on a list of "players who need to step up," but considering 2010 was Brandon Marshall's worst statistical season since his rookie campaign, there's some cause for concern.

Obviously, Marshall's "struggles" can be attributed to Dan Henning's abominable schemes and Chad Henne's check-down obsession. However, Marshall never seemed to truly take over a game and become the domineering force we all expected.

Granted he had four double-digit reception games, Marshall needs to be "The Beast" that he was in Denver, putting the team on his back and making a mediocre quarterback look great.

No. 4: Brian Hartline

Just because the Dolphins drafted speedster Edmond Gates does not mean he is going to immediately be integrated in Miami's offense. Eventually, Gates is expected to take over Brian Hartline's role as the offense's vertical passing threat, but it might take him a handful of years to make the leap from Division II to the NFL.

So while Gates is groomed, Hartline will continue serving as Chad Henne's primary deep threat. Hartline does not possess favorable speed for the role, but he has displayed an ability to sneak behind secondaries on occasion.

The Dolphins sorely lacked a true complement to Brandon Marshall last season, and unless Gates skips the learning curve, Hartline will have to step his game up.

No. 3: Chris Clemons

With two budding cornerbacks, one of the NFL's most ferocious sack artists and one of the league's deepest and most talented defensive lines, the Dolphins defense is on the cusp of elite. But before they can get there, free safety Chris Clemons must step up.

Clemons served as Miami's starting safety last season and fought through growing pains through much of it. He was often a liability down the middle of the field, but still managed to hold his own and enjoy a decent season.

Entering his second season as the presumed starter, Clemons needs to make great strides in order to solidify this defense's spot amongst the league's best.

No. 2: John Jerry

During the 2010 NFL draft, the Dolphins spent a third-round pick on Ole Miss guard John Jerry. At 6'5", 328 points, he was coined a "humongous addition" by the Palm Beach Post, and figured to step in right away on an aging Dolphins line.

However, Jerry was ineffective as a starter and was being groomed as a tackle towards the end of the season. But with a season of experience under his belt, Jerry will likely have the opportunity to compete with Nate Garner and reclaim the starting right guard job.

The Dolphins will likely be rooting for the younger and more promising Jerry to win the job, and if he can show signs of improvement, Miami might soon boast one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.

No. 1: Chad Henne

Chad Henne's path to Dolphins infamy has been a disturbing one. A player pinned as the savior no more than one calendar year ago is already being ostracized and defamed as the scapegoat for all of the team's struggles. And somewhat deservedly so.

Henne played like a malfunctioning robot in 2010, showing steep decline from a promising 2009 season. However, that was his first full year as a starting quarterback, and Miami should be patient with him.

The Dolphins have announced their intentions to bring in a veteran quarterback, but there's no guarantee they will find anybody capable of overthrowing Henne. If that is the case, then Henne—and this cannot be emphasized enough—must elevate his game to new levels in 2011.