Miami Dolphins: 2010 Position by Position Preview with Grades

While the Dolphins addressed many needs this off season, many holes still remain, particularly on defense.  Miami is coming off a season in which they allowed an AFC East high 390 points, released sack leader Joey Porter and allowed icon Jason Taylor to sign with the Jets.  Going into the draft the team’s primary needs existed at defensive tackle, outside linebacker and safety.

Bill Parcells and company did what appears to be a decent job of filling these vacancies, spending seven of the team's eight draft picks on the defensive side of the ball.  Some (Jared Odrick, Koa Misi, John Jerry) even have a legitimate chance of seeing themselves atop the depth chart come September.  How does the team stand post draft?  Let’s take a look.

Quarterbacks

Chad Henne played surprisingly well after Chad Pennington went down in week three last year, and will enter his first season as the starter.  Pennington is back in a mentoring role and last year's second round pick, Pat White and Tyler Thigpen round out the rest of the position. 

While White often had the look of a baby deer crossing I-95 when he would come into games, the book's still out on his potential in the wild cat offense.  With a year’s experience under his belt and a new toy at WR, Henne could be in for a big year.

Grade: B

Running Backs

Ronnie Brown has had less than a flattering off season and Ricky Williams has acknowledged that this could be his last year.  With free agency looming for both, 2010 could spell the end of the wild cat in South Florida. 

With that being said, both backs are still loaded with talent, and if healthy, form one of the most formidable tandems in the league.  Williams, thanks to a multi-year “vacation” in the middle of his career still has tread left on the tires coming off a 1,000+ yard season and the sky’s the limit if Brown keeps his carries up and nagging injuries down.  Overall, this is one of the team’s strong points.

Grade: A-

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Say what you’d like about Ted Ginn, but you can’t argue he was always fast.  So fast he ran his way right out of management’s good side and was quickly shipped to San Francisco for a 5th round pick. 

Out is Ginn but in is Brandon Marshall, the pro bowler from Denver who quickly fell out of favor with coach Josh McDaniels and was benched in the Bronco’s final regular season game.  Despite the benching, and being thrown to by Kyle Orton, Marshall still managed over 1100 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

Davone Bess, Brian Hartline and Greg Camarillo offer additional options, with Bess looking to take over kick returns in the absence of Ginn.  Anthony Fasano won’t scare any defensive coordinator, but he remains serviceable.  Overall this isn’t a core to rival that of the Patriots or Jets, but it is much improved over past years.

Grade: C+

Offensive Line

Jake Long is coming off his second pro bowl season in two years.  Vernon Carey continues to anchor the right side.  In-between them, questions remain.  Joe Berger and Jake Grove will battle for the starting center position.  Justin Smiley is gone and Richie Incognito was signed and John Jerry drafted to compete for a starting guard spot.  This is a strong unit on the outside that grows weaker towards the middle.  

Grade: B-

Defensive Line

1st round pick Jared Odrick will move over from tackle to end in the Dolphins 3-4 defense and could start in week one.  Kendall Langford is slowly developing into a sold pass rusher on the other end; however tackle remains a question mark. 

While passing on the opportunity to draft Dan Williams or Terrence Cody, Miami will begin the season with converted d-end Randy Starks starting in the middle.  Paul Soliai and Charles Grant add depth to an average defensive line.

Grade: C

Linebackers

The Dolphins linebacking core has been a revolving door this off-season with the release of disgruntled Joey Porter and the failure to even offer Jason Taylor a bag of peanuts. 

Karlos Dansby, the best free agent linebacker was brought in to shore up the middle with Channing Crowder.  The outside linebackers will scare no one, however newly drafted Koa Misi could prove to be a nice addition and could start before seasons end. 

Cameron Wake has impressed in training camp and will be relied upon to provide pressure.  Throw Charlie Anderson in the mix and you have to wonder why the Phins were so confident in their OLB's to not offer Taylor a contract.  Overall, I’m not convinced this group is actually improved over last years.

Grade: C+

Special Teams

Kick and punt returner remain a mystery, as Teddy Ginn's services were no longer requested by Miami. 

Davone Bess should continue to return punts and kickoff duty will most likely be relegated to back up running back Patrick Cobbs.

Dan Carpenter made the pro bowl last year, and Brandon Fields gets the job done.

Grade: B

Secondary

The secondary is young but talented.  The Dolphins started two rookies at cornerback last year in Vontae Davis and Sean Smith.  Yeremiah Bell is the veteran captain of this group at safety.

Gabril Wilson, disappointing his second team in two years, was released leaving a hole at the free safety position.  Chris Clemons, Tyrone Culver and even rookie Reshad Jones could all see significant playing time. This is a young unit that could develop into one of the better secondaries in the league.

Grade: B

Final Grade

After struggling through the leagues hardest schedule, multiple injuries and a questionable defense last year, the 2010 Miami Dolphins look to be much improved.  A lot of the season will depend on Chad Henne’s right arm and Ronnie Brown’s ability to stay on the field.  The defense will also have to play better, and the seven picks spent on D should definitely help.  This is a team that will be picked for third in the division, but has an outside chance of winning a tough AFC East.  

Grade: B