Miami Dolphins 2010 Year in Review: Top 10 Moments

As a season marred by disappointment, agony and ultimate defeat draws to a close, it is increasingly difficult to reflect on the 2010 season and see anything but a major letdown.

Tony Sparano and Chad Henne, initially pegged as the faces of a bright Dolphins future, are both likely on their way out of Miami, leaving room for another regime and another quarterback to try to fill the shoes of Don Shula and Dan Marino.

But as 2010 becomes 2011 and Dolfans put this disappointing season behind them, there are still plenty of good times and memorable moments to be remembered.

No. 10: Ricky Williams Plunders the Raiders

The Dolphins' rushing offense, thanks to the two-headed punch of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, ranked fourth in the NFL in 2009. This season, Dan Henning's rushing attack ranks 20th in the NFL.

But despite the offense's frustrating struggles, Ricky Williams found time to shine in Miami's Week 12 victory over the Raiders. Late in the fourth quarter, Williams broke off a 45-yard touchdown run that sealed the team's win.

No. 9: Sean Smith Buries the Bengals, Revives His Career

The 2010 preseason might have been a more telling time than most anticipated. The Dolphins offense looked horribly out of sync, and both Vontae Davis and Sean Smith struggled to contain very subpar passing games.

Although Miami's defense emerged as one of the NFL's best units, Smith had to endure a few weeks on the bench before he resurfaced as a role player. Smith's clutch red zone interception in the Dolphins' Week 8 victory in Cincinnati helped him revitalize a career some thought was doomed.

This play marked Smith's first career interception as well. He has since dropped an unofficial eight interceptions.

No. 8: Anthony Fasano Scores Go-Ahead Touchdown in Green Bay, Fakes Lambeau Leap

Chad Henne's cross-field screen pass to Anthony Fasano would normally be one of those plays that left Dolfans scratching their hands and then screaming at Dan Henning's ineptitude. But because this play led to a touchdown, everybody applauded.

Fasano's touchdown put the Dolphins ahead of the Packers late in the fourth quarter, and the tight end's fake Lambeau Leap is easily the best touchdown dance anybody on the Dolphins cooked up this season.

No. 7: Cameron Wake and Koa Misi Score a Game-Winning Touchdown

Something we would learn towards the latter portion of the 2010 season is that no Dolphins lead is safe, especially a seven-point lead on the road.

Late in the third quarter of the Dolphins' Week 2 game in Minnesota, Cameron Wake and Koa Misi took matters into their own hands.

With the Vikings backed up into their own end zone, Wake burst into the backfield and stripped Favre, allowing Misi to fall on the football for a touchdown that would become the game-winner.

No. 6: Dan Carpenter Swims into the Record Books

Who knew Dan Carpenter had such a big leg?

Prior to this season, his longest career field goal was only 52 yards.

Before halftime in the Dolphins' Week 13 matchup against the Browns, Carpenter booted a team-record 60-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3. Miami proceeded to lose to Cleveland, but Carpenter shined as one of the few bright spots in a Dolphins loss.

No. 5 Brandon Marshall Torches the Jets

Brandon Marshall's Week 3 rampage against Antonio Cromartie and the New York Jets is not one moment, but anytime a Dolphin tears up Gang Green like that, it gets honorable mention.

Marshall racked up 10 catches and two touchdowns in Miami's Monday night loss to the Jets, but his stellar performance provided a glimpse into what the future might hold for the Beast.

No. 4: Brandon Marshall Torches the Jets...Again

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 12: The Miami Dolphins celebrate the touchdown of Brandon Marshall #19 against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Before Jets strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi created a national stir by tripping Nolan Carroll, Brandon Marshall reasserted his dominance over the Jets secondary by scoring the game's only touchdown.

The Dolphins may have failed to fully utilize Marshall this season, but he does seem to have a knack for making big plays against the team's biggest rivals.

No. 3: Dan Carpenter Sends Green Bay Packing

Looking back at the first half of the 2010 season, it feels as though an entirely different Dolphins team was contesting the NFL's elite teams. Miami took down the Packers in Week 6 and went on to lose in controversial fashion a week later versus the Steelers.

Anyway, Dan Carpenter might be the team's MVP, and his overtime, game-winning kick in Green Bay is just one reason why.

No. 2: Cameron Wake Introduces Himself to Mark Sanchez

The Week 14 meeting between the Dolphins and Jets might have been the most poorly played game of the 2010 NFL season. Rarely is a rivalry so intense as this one so difficult to even watch.

But any time the Dolphins have a chance to defeat the Jets, Miami's eyes are glued, and Cameron Wake almost singlehandedly sealed the 'Fins victory with back-to-back sacks on New York's final drive.

No. 1: The Dolphins Defense Makes a Goal Line Stand

In retrospect, the Dolphins' Week 2 victory in Minnesota was not all that impressive. After all, the Vikings turned out to be even worse than Miami.

But that still does not diminish the defense's incredible goal-line stand that eventually capped a victory for the 'Fins.

Karlos Dansby earned his hefty paycheck, and Vontae Davis finished off Adrian Peterson's attempt to march into the end zone.