Miami Dolphins Vs Buffalo Bills: 10 Things That Dolfans Need To Watch For
Finally. You can exhale, Dolfans.
Sort of.
The Dolphins will kick off their 2010 season against the Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m. on Sunday, marking the beginning of a season that all hope will culminate in Dallas with a Super Bowl victory.
However, Miami is kicking off their season in the midst of unwanted turmoil. Bill Parcells stepped down this week, the roster is plagued with lingering injuries, and the team raised some eyebrows by parting with a slew of veterans at the roster cut deadline.
The Dolphins were tough to watch this Preseason, causing many to completely soften their formerly sky high expectations. There has been a growing sentiment of pessimism in the aftermath of both the Preseason and a hectic week.
But we can put everything aside for now. The Preseason does not matter. Yes, there are reasons to be concerned, but every team struggles with aspects of their game during the Preseason. That is why it is there. It is there so teams can soothe out their shortcomings, and the Dolphins will do the same.
They might not solve every intricacy, but there is a very long season ahead, chemistry will develop, players will improve, and players will emerge. Relax and dig that enthusiastic optimism out of your pocket. The regulars season is here. Rejoice.
Very, Very Shaky Secondary
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I'm scared. I'm terrified, and I'm having nightmares. An Allen is starting, but it's not Will. It's Jason. Oh no.
Vontae Davis was spotted walking with a considerable limp earlier this week, leaving the team's number one cornerback's status up in the air for Sunday's game. Meanwhile, Sean Smith's horrible play during the Preseason cost him a starting job and has coaches questioning his maturity.
This secondary is a mess and is quickly shaping into the achilles heel of this team.
Starting Jason Allen will only causes for more concern. Coach Sparano told the media that he has been impressed with Allen's progress throughout camp, but we've heard this song a hundred times. Allen got a chance to prove he had in fact made strides when he started against the Falcons in Week 3 of the Preseason, but was promptly burnt for a 48 yard touchdown by Roddy White.
Jason Allen is not a starting corner in this league. Plain and simple. Hopefully this is merely a motivational ploy for Sean Smith.
Let's just thank the football gods that the Dolphins are playing the Bills this week, and let's pray this unit rights the ship for the regular season. If they can do so, there's no reason to believe this team will not make a serious push for a division title.
Uncertainty Along The Offensive Front
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The Dolphins dodged a bullet, no, they dodged a nuclear warhead when Jake Long walked away from a scary ankle roll in last week's Preseason finale against the Cowboys. Not only would Long's absence immediately downgrade the Dolphins offense, but the backlash that would have risen against the Dolphins coaching staff for playing their starters so late into the team's final Preseason game would have been insurmountable.
Even with a healthy Long, the Dolphins offensive line, considered an elite unit after paving the way for the league's fourth best rushing team last season, has become a question mark. High-priced 2009 free agent Jake Grove has struggled to keep his job while battling journeyman Joe Berger, the team will start two new guards in Richie Incognito and John Jerry, and injuries to Nate Garner and the release of Donald Thomas has left this unit with little depth.
Above all and most concerning, they looked out of sync during the Preseason. Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown struggled to find any holes, and for a team that loves to pound the football, that needs to change.
Kind of feels like Justin Smiley would useful right now, no?
The Beast
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Brandon Marshall was not quite "The Beast" this preseason. He showed us flashes of things to come, but his knack for dropping passes overshadowed his dominant play. Marshall's Preseason play would be better characterized as, say "The Dinosaur." He was a force, but he had his flaws.
But, it was the Preseason, and nothing really matters.
Marshall will have his hands full with a Bills secondary that finished second best in the league in 2009, so temper your expectations for his Dolphins debut. Still, Miami spent a whole lot of cash on the Beast this summer, and we will get our first real look at him on Sunday. Get excited, just not overly excited.
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Chad Henne's Sophomore Debut
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Considering he went just 7-6 as a starter last year, there are some pretty ridiculous expectations being pinned onto Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne for 2010. That is not to say Henne is undeserving of praise. He nearly resurrected an 0-3 start, and nearly tossed 3,000 yards in just 13 games.
But Henne is entering just his third year in the league, and only his second year as a starter. The Dolphins gave him an early Christmas present in the form of Brandon Marshall, but that does not guarantee Henne success this year.
Many are already making the assumption that Henne will make Dolfans forget about Dan Marino, and he is the solution to a Super Bowl. While he might be just that, Henne has a lot of maturing to do, and he will have his hands full against the Bills second ranked pass defense on Sunday.
Get excited for Chad Henne and the potential that Miami may finally have a Pro Bowl quarterback, but, like Brandon Marshall, temper your expectations. Henne is not Dan Marino. Not yet, anyway.
The Offensive Defense
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After much hype and anticipation, Mike Nolan's "offensive defense" is expected to be revealed against Trent Edwards and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Nolan's defensive scheme reportedly revolves around unique blitz packages that could allow Cameron Wake and/or Koa Misi to become household names by the end of the 2010 season. The Dolphins sparsely showed any blitzes during the Preseason, which (hopefully) could explain the secondary's struggles.
With some pressure on the quarterback, Miami's defensive backs will not be required to hold down receivers for so long. Still, Nolan has much to prove after a failed stint in San Francisco and an up and down year guiding the Broncos' defense.
Youthful Front Seven
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The Dolphins turned some heads by releasing veteran defensive ends Charles Grant and Marques Douglas, both of whom had performed reasonably well during the Preseason and brought a previously vacant veteran presence to the Dolphins defensive line.
With or without Grant and Douglas, the Dolphins starting lineup will likely look the same. However, the lack of experience is a bit troubling: Two rookies, one first year starter, one player starting at a new position, and a third year player.
You can look at this as an explosive, energetic corps rather than one simply lacking experience, and that is the sentiment everybody is hoping to feel after Week 1. This unit will endure its share of trials and tribulations throughout 2010, much like Vontae Davis and Sean Smith did as rookies in 2009; however, they are well coached and well prepared. Let's hope for the best.
Ricky and Ronnie Flip The Switch
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Ronnie Brown rushed for 44 yards on 21 carries this Preseason, while partner in crime Ricky Williams rushed for 80 yards on 13 carries (keep in mind Ricky had one rush of 42 yards). Take away Williams' 42 yard rush, however, and the Dolphins running backs averaged a combined 2.4 yards per carry. Not good.
The Dolphins love to pound the rock, and only three teams were more effective at it in 2009. But if the Preseason was any indication (and it probably wasn't), then they are in trouble. Don't hit the panic button quite yet, though.
Both Brown and Williams and the offensive line need to take their share of the blame for such lethargic rushing performances, but both running backs are seasoned veterans and should not have a problem flipping the switch into regular season mode. Brown and Williams are the heart of this offense, and assuming they can in fact flip the switch, should be in store for big performances on Sunday.
Kickoff Coverage Tries To Rebound From a Dreadful Preseason
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Miami's special teams struggles were well documented this Preseason. In particular, the Dolphins kickoff and punt coverage units looked absolutely terrible. Granted, the team was shuffling youngsters in and out of these units in an attempt to find a successful combination, it is an issue that must be resolved for the regular season.
Fans do not always take much stock in special teams, but the difference between an offense starting at the 40 yard line and the 20 yard line is massive. This stuff matters, and the Dolphins have to shore up their coverage units.
On a positive, and semi-unrelated note, the Dolphins have finally made a move for an explosive kick returner by signing Clifton Smith. Smith was elected to the Pro Bowl in 2008 as a return-man, and led the NFL in average yards per return last season. The Buccaneers released him earlier this week due to his struggles with injuries, but the Dolphins are confident (and desperate) enough to give him a shot. This is an exciting development that gives everybody something extra to watch on Sunday.
Undrafted Free Agents and Their Roles With The Dolphins
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Arguably the most shocking of roster cuts came when second year receiver Patrick Turner was cut loose. Turner was battling with undrafted free agents Roberto Wallace and Marlon Moore for a roster spot, and when Greg Camarillo was traded, it appeared as though Turner had done enough to earn the coaching staff's trust despite negative reports from earlier in the summer.
Little did we know, the Dolphins appear to have invested faith in both Wallace and Moore that they felt comfortable parting with Turner, a 2009 third round draft pick.
Wallace compares similarly to Turner with his 6-foot-4, 225 pound frame, while Moore brings a speedy deep threat to a receiving corps otherwise lacking one. Both are developmental projects, but both will undoubtedly see the field at times this year, and at least one of them will likely get playing time on Sunday.
Injuries To Crowder, Long, Grove, and Davis: The Impact of Their Injuries
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Jake Long, Vontae Davis, Jake Grove and Channing Crowder are four names pivotal to the Dolphins success in 2010, and they are four names nobody wants to see on injury reports. However, all four have made their way onto the injury watch, and as Sunday inches closer, some are beginning to sweat.
Luckily, it appears as though Long and Davis, despite limited practice time this week, will in fact start. The Dolphins have been pretty good at keeping details under wraps, and that statuses of Crowder and Grove remain foggy.
If Crowder does not play or start, Tim Dobbins would likely fill in and showcase the talent that has made headlines this summer. Recent free agent acquisition Bobby Carpenter (nicknamed Bambi for his disliking of contact) would also likely see increased playing time.
If Grove does not play or start, Joe Berger would fill in, and could get the start if Grove is deemed healthy enough to start anyway.
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