Miami Dolphins: Chad Henne and 10 'Fins Under the Most Pressure in 2011

Going into the 2011-2012 season, the Miami Dolphins are on the cusp of nothing.

After several seasons of mediocrity and no dramatic overhauls foreseeable before the season starts, there are plenty of players, coaches and front office members under big-time pressure this year.

Granted, this list could change slightly if a few top-notch free agents sign with the Dolphins, but for the most part, these guys are on as big a hot seat as you can be on.

Here's the top 10.

10. Daniel Thomas, RB

Believe it or not, Daniel Thomas is under some pressure even as a rookie with the Dolphins.

Why?

The Dolphins traded up to get him, have a glaring need at running back should Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams both leave via free agency, and with Chad Henne's inconsistency throwing the ball, Thomas may be in line for a huge workload.

Thomas' load may be lessened should the Dolphins sign a back like DeAngelo Williams or Ahmad Bradshaw, but in the case he is the unquestioned starter, the pressure is squarely on this rookie.

9. Cameron Wake, DE

I know, Cameron Wake had an outstanding season for the Dolphins last year.

However, because the Dolphins have such little pass-rush help for Wake, he is under tremendous pressure to repeat last season's success. Teams are too smart and game-planning is too detailed to let Wake tee off on quarterbacks like he did most of last season.

Of course, one could argue that means the pressure is on the rest of the front seven to create pressure to free up Wake. But the guys in place right now, such as Karlos Dansby, Koa Misi and Kendall Langford, are not great pass-rushers, nor do the Dolphins expect them to be.

Pressure is on Wake, unless he gets some help from a Ray Edwards—maybe?

8. Jared Odrick, DE

Or maybe Wake can get some help from Jared Odrick (perfect segue).

Pressure is clearly on Odrick after missing the entire 2010 season with a broken foot. As another one of the Dolphins' recent questionable first-round picks, Odrick has to prove he belongs. He will get ample opportunity with the lack of depth on the defensive line and with the fact he did play well in the 2010 preseason.

If Odrick is fully recovered from the injury and can provide a boost on the D-line, he may justify the Dolphins dropping down to take him in last year's draft.

If not, he will be just another reason Dol-fans aren't quite satisfied with GM Jeff Ireland.

7. Sean Smith, CB

Sean Smith is tall, athletic, strong and fast, yet has not been very good in his first two NFL seasons.

Smith's playing time was reduced last season, as he saw guys like Benny Sapp, Jason Allen and Nolan Carroll make more of an impact than he did in the secondary. With Vontae Davis showing signs of becoming a star, some would argue Smith has the physical tools to man the opposite side of the field.

But dropped balls and blown assignments have become routine for Smith, and patience may be wearing thin.

It appears as if the secondary may be addressed through free agency, and it certainly was targeted in back-to-back drafts with Jimmy Wilson and Reshad Jones. Pressure seems to be on Smith to earn his playing time this year.

6. Brandon Marshall, WR

Hate him or love him, Brandon Marshall is clearly the biggest playmaker currently on the Dolphins' roster. His work ethic and his leadership as a teammate have been called into question, but his talent is undoubtedly superior to that of most wide receivers in the league.

Marshall had somewhat of an injury-plagued second half to the 2010 season, but played in all but two games, finishing with only three touchdowns. By comparison, Anthony Fasano had four. Though his quarterback may not inspire much confidence, Marshall needs to limit his drops and make himself more of a red zone target.

The acquisition of Marshall was initially unquestioned and heralded by most as a move the Dolphins absolutely needed to make. But with every off-the-field incident and every on-the-field unsportsmanlike penalty, the pressure builds on Marshall to be the superstar the Dolphins expected.

5. Brian Daboll, Offensive Coordinator

New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll was hardly the name fans expected to hear when the Dolphins announced their new hire. The firing of Dan Henning was no shock, but when the team's offense ranks 30th in the league, one would not expect the new coordinator to have led the 31st-best offense last season.

Such is the case with Daboll, whose Cleveland offense last year was one of only two units in the league with less production than Miami's. 

Daboll is surely given more tools with the Dolphins than he had with the Browns, but an offense that lacked any sort of spark or creativity last year is going to take a serious energy infusion if it's going to drastically improve, like the Dolphins need. 

4. Steven Ross, Owner

Here's why Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is under a great deal of pressure this season:

His ideas of turning Sun Life Stadium into the hippest club on South Beach clearly have not equated to wins on the field.

His infusion of celebrity minority owners has mostly just turned into a publicity stunt.

On top of that, Ross is the man responsible for the fate of the next two men on this list, who figuratively hold the key to a franchise turnaround.   

3. Jeff Ireland, General Manager

Jeff Ireland has put himself in a position of tremendous pressure. It started with his cross-country flirtation to try to lure former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, which failed when Harbaugh ended up the head coach in San Francisco.

Throughout that whole process, Tony Sparano was still his head coach and is to this day.

Ireland was then in charge of his first draft with the Dolphins after Bill Parcells left the organization, so those results are to be determined. He also has an incredibly difficult job ahead of him with the free agent frenzy that has just begun after the lockout was lifted.

In order to justify some of his draft picks, his signing of Brian Daboll and his faith in Tony Sparano when he clearly wanted to hire a new coach, the Dolphins better overachieve this season. 

2. Tony Sparano, Head Coach

If the pressure is on the offensive coordinator, the general manager and the owner, then you better believe Tony Sparano is on the ultimate hot seat.

Coach Sparano has almost worn out his welcome in Miami. He has been the one consistent cog throughout coordinator changes, front office changes and even an ownership change. After an 11-5 season in his first year, he has led the team to back-to-back sub-.500 records, and one more season like that would leave everyone from Ireland to Sparano to Chad Henne looking for work.  

1. Chad Henne, QB

The member of the Dolphins under the most pressure has to be quarterback Chad Henne.

That is, of course, if the team doesn't acquire a quarterback through free agency or via trade.

Assuming the season begins with Henne as the starter, the pressure is squarely on him in his third season at the helm. The team clearly drafted with the intent of helping Henne, providing offensive help with their first four selections. The offensive line will be good, the receivers are solid and underrated, and should the Dolphins sign a star running back (as is rumored they will try to do), all the pieces will be in place for Henne to have a break-out season.

If not, then by all means owner Stephen Ross will clear house and start over.