5 Miami Dolphins Who Cannot Get Hurt in 2012

Every year teams approach the beginning of the season as if it were another chapter. They are starting a new year and are given an opportunity to reach the mountain top. 

Talent plays a big role in which teams will eventually make it further in the playoffs, or even reach them. Coaching also plays a part. However, one of the most important factors is health. 

A whole season can be lost if health betrays a few key players on any team. Especially if the depth at that position is not great. 

For the Miami Dolphins, this season will mark another new era. Joe Philbin is stepping in as head coach and has brought in his own crew. In order for him to have a successful season, he will rely on all his players staying healthy. 

There are a few players that absolutely can't get hurt if the Dolphins expect to make any noise. The depth at their respective positions is thin, and no other player can match the productivity they are capable of providing.

Jake Long

Jake Long has been hit with the injury bug the last couple years. This is a contract year for him so it's key that he stays healthy both for himself and the team. Even though he has played hurt, Long is still considered an elite left tackle that will have to play at his highest level in order for Miami's quarterbacks to produce. 

With Miami not having an elite quarterback, the more protection they get, the better they will play. Long is the anchor of the offensive line, and the Dolphins success this season will have to do a lot with how healthy he remains. 

Lydon Murtha is capable of playing left tackle, but he is competing with Jonathan Martin for the right tackle position. Murtha can definitely fill in on the left side, but if Long can't stay healthy the whole season, Murtha will have to play longer than expected on that side.

Cameron Wake

The only pass rush the Dolphins produced last season was with Cameron Wake. Wake is the backbone of the defense and he allows other pass-rushers to rush against single coverage as he almost always is double-teamed. 

Wake is one of the top pass-rushers in the league, and how well this defense plays will have a lot to do with how well Wake plays. His intensity is unmatched and if he stays healthy, there is no reason why he shouldn't be atop the league in sacks.

Depth on the defensive line is good, but no other player will generate the same pass rush Wake will. 

Vontae Davis

Another player hit with the injury bug last year, Vontae Davis is also a key player on Miami's defense. Hampered with a lingering hamstring injury last year, Davis had a below average first half of the season. He turned it on in the second half, and if he plays like that for a whole year, Miami's defense would be even better.

Cornerback is still a weak spot on the Dolphins roster. Players like Sean Smith and Richard Marshall are more than capable of playing the position, but after them there is little depth.

Mike Pouncey

Already one of the more athletic centers in the league, Mike Pouncey had a very good rookie year. He was considered for rookie of the year honors at one point, but when was the last time a center won the award?

Pouncey helps anchor an improving offensive line that struggled last year. With a more aerial attack this coming season, Pouncey will not be asked to stay in the trenches as much as he did last year. 

Behind Pouncey there is no other true center. Pouncey must stay healthy if the Dolphins plan to keep playing in January.

Karlos Dansby

The quarterback of the defense, Karlos Dansby is also a major factor on how good this defense will be. Even though he is not exactly the best linebacker in the NFL, Dansby is the best interior linebacker the Dolphins have.

Dansby will be asked to play the same position he played with the Cardinals in their 4-3 defense, so expect him to improve from his first two years in South Beach. He has a valuable partner in Kevin Burnett and the jury is still out on Koa Misi, so Dansby will have to step up and show he is capable of leading this defense.

Behind Dansby, Burnett and Misi, Miami doesn't have any linebackers that can have an impact right away. This whole unit, not only Dansby, must stay healthy for the Dolphins to be successful.