10 Miami Dolphins That Will Lead Them to the Super Bowl in 2011
Performance is the obvious key to NFL dominance. While draft prophecy is fun, such ruminating is also proven to be a low percentage guessing game.
The last two years the Miami Dolphins have seem to be right on the cusp of greatness. The cusp I remember the most is when the Pittsburgh Steelers literally stole the game, due to the graciousness of the official, in 2010. From that game on, the season went on the decline.
So far the past two seasons are overloaded with shoulda, coulda, woulda(s).
If you're a Dolphins' fan with a pulse, you have seen just how close the Fins have come to putting it all together.
Henne was impressive against the Oakland Raiders in 2010, only to struggle for much of the season. Some describe it as a sophmore slump. Which could be fair, but it was oh so maddening.
These are ten players who MUST be consistant in 2011 for the Dolphins to reach the promised land.
Sean Smith
1 of 10
I think it is safe to say that Vontae Davis is right on schedule.
It is also safe to say that Sean Smith is behind schedule.
I believe the unofficial number for the 2010 season was 6. He dropped at least six interceptions last year. This was an athlete who was drafted for his ball skills. Remember that steller one handed pick while he was at Utah?
We are still waiting for that athleticsm to shine through.
Because the Dolphins are such a impressive passing division, Sean Smith must begin to play up to the potential which we've seen in flashes.
While in college, many thought he might move to safety because of his size and speed. However, Tony Sparano decided to play with the strength of his resume, keeping him at cornerback.
If Sean Smith were to play up to his potential, the tandem of Sean Smith and Vontae Davis would make a terrifying tandem to field in Super Bowl 2012.
Vernon Carey
2 of 10
Vernon Carey has stayed at right tackle because the front office can't seem to find someone else to replace him. The front office decided to give him big money because he was better than anyone on the market at the time.
Which makes sense because he knew the system, the players, and the coaches.
There were some rumblings from the fan base that Carey should be moved to guard, allowing the Dolphins to draft a more athletic tackle. Coach Sparano responded with a big "no."
Instead the coaching staff continues to show faith in him. I'm waiting for this tackle to shine through for the money they are paying him.
I think that Vernon Carey's greatest struggle is the untimeliness of his mistakes. Great offensive lineman don't do that.
The Dolphins now have three first round picks on the offensive line. Vernon Carey needs to take his game to a higher level in order for this team to have their Super Bowl dreams realized.
Daniel Thomas
3 of 10
Daniel Thomas is going to be a major contributor from the beginning. How do I know?
Jeff Ireland had to trade into the second round to get him and the coaching staff loves to play their rookies. Ireland apparently needed this kid.
What role he's going to play is going to be similar to the R & R express. No matter how I try to spin it, he looks a lot like, plays a lot like Ronnie Brown. Except, he is a natural passer.
There are rumors that DeAngelo Williams would love to be in Miami. Miami may be a place he likes to visit but in the end the price will have to be right.
He's already impressed everyone when he was drafted in the second round, now his play must back up the investment.
Daniel Thomas must be a significant cog in the Dolphins' offense for this team to make a run at the Super Bowl.
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Channing Crowder
4 of 10
No one has exasperated the Miami Dolphins fans more than Channing Crowder.
He has run his mouth more than exerted his ability on defense.
He dances more than makes plays.
And, yet, he was the one to follow in the footsteps of Zach Thomas. Did he not learn anything?
He has been injured more often yet he communicates as if he is a team leader. No doubt, he makes the defense slightly better against the run.
The Dolphins drafted A.J. Edds to challenge Crowder. I think it will be a battle worth watching.
If Crowder starts, he has to stay healthy, he needs to keep his mouth shut. He needs to play better than he has done since he arrived in Miami.
I'm no longer amused by the fights or threats. I think the Dolphins just want a solid playmaker...if he can stay off of the injury report.
Darren Rizzi
5 of 10
Darren Rizzi is the Special Teams coach for the Dolphins.
This was the most horrifying, disappointing group the Miami Dolphins fielded all season long.
While I realize he is new, it doesn't seem like he will have a lot of new personnel to work from.
And, even though, the special teams did get slightly better, they weren't anywhere close to being a playoff contender. Not even close.
They didn't have: a kick returner, punt returner, or sufficient blocking. Thus, the Dolphins made the New England Patriots look like something from Madden 2011.
The kitchen cabinet was definitely bare with this group. At one point, the coaches would insert several starters, thus making several guys play more than needed. Not a great strategy.
Darren Rizzi is a coach already on the hot seat. And for a good reason, games are won and lost based on all three phases of the game. Wow, did the Miami Dolphins prove that last season.
Mike Pouncey
6 of 10
Asking two rookies to fill in and lead this team to a Super Bowl is brutal. Possibly unrealistic?
Nevertheless, Mike Pouncey will be asked to come in and start. His brother, Maurkice, will not be there to help him so the comparisons no longer matter. Maurkice will be busy trying to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to another Super Bowl.
The success Mike Pouncey will be defined by two words: Vince Wilfork. And this meeting will occur the first game of the season. We will find out if, according to all of those experts who do mock drafts, he can or can't handle strong defensive tackles.
The film on Pouncey shows a highly agile, technically well groomed center. While the shot gun snaps were difficult, he got over it. It's really hard to say if he's a Nick Mangold kind of center.
We will find out quickly. Tony Sparano's job depends on the success of this young man, Sparano is supposed to have been the one to build an offensive line which has great size and strength, reminisce of his days with the Dallas Cowboys. That has not happened, indeed.
If the Dolphins are to make a run at the Super Bowl, Mike Pouncey will need to have a season which could send him to Hawaii.
Brandon Marshall
7 of 10
Two things happened last season with Mr. Marshall: he dropped too many balls and Chad Henne did not know how to utilize him.
What did Kyle Orton know that Chad Henne doesn't? You've got to go to him short, often, and early. Then again, it's a vicious cycle, if he's dropping the ball then Henne has to find Davone Bess (who was a wonderful playmaker last season). If the opponents are rotating towards Marshall side of the field, this also makes it difficult to get the ball to him.
This made Bess a very attractive receiver, especially with all the first downs he was making.
If the Miami Dolphins hope to make a Super Bowl run Brandon Marshall must:
1. Catch the damn ball!
2. Be used in multiple sets in motion.
3. Stop complaining if things don't go his way (see #1).
4. Let Henne grow. Marshall is not a quarterback coach.
In short, Brandon Marshall must grow into a team concept the Dolphins field. If not, then simply trade him. Prima donna receivers very rarely can will their team to the playoffs. Since the Dolphins rely on the running game first, technically, Marshall is not the first option. That must be tough when he was used to having a quarterback constantly in the shot gun throwing 5 to 10 yard routes.
Chris Clemons/Rashad Jones
8 of 10
Tony Sparano could not settle on Chris Clemons or Rashad Jones. Considering they were such young players, it's difficult for a player to grow if they are on a rotation according to mistakes made in the previous game.
So the two will compete. Somehow, along with the offensive line, that the coaching staff has a very short level of patience to allow their players to grow. Rookies are going to make mistakes, they have to grow.
All that to say. If Clemons or Jones can't stop the deep ball, then the Miami Dolphins will not even sniff the locker room of the Super Bowl.
The Patriots throw the deep ball, along with the Jets, and even the Bills can toss it around. The competition is just too tough to allow too many mistakes.
To the young safeties credit, the Dolphins' pass defense was 8th in the NFL. Not bad, but they also allowed untimely plays, a sign of youth.
If the 2011 Miami Dolphins want to make it to the Super Bowl, then Chris Clemons must solidify his spot as the starting free safety.
Jake Long
9 of 10
Jake Long has done everything you could imagine from such a young player. However, last season he ended the season with an injury, which is never good because shoulder injuries are tricky.
Jake Long has been a leader, an All-Pro. Can he call out Chad Henne if need be? Can he be more than a physical presence on the offensive line? Can his voice be as respected as his play was against Jared Allen?
I really want to assume so.
The attribute I love about Peyton Manning and his offensive line is the level of fire and respect they have for each other. They share a common goal with such passion that they are not afraid to direct about how the offense is run.
I've never seen anything like that between Jake Long and the rest of the team. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen, we've just never seen it before.
I've met Jake Long. Really cool guy, very down to earth. Somewhat soft spoken, he really allows his presence to communicate a lot. It is common for the personality of a football player to change when a game starts.
The Dolphins need a fiery leader to put a guy like Brandon Marshall in his place.
Were the Dolphins to make a playoff push, it would be because of Long's leadership.
Chad Henne
10 of 10
Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, and Eli Manning: Super Bowl Quarterbacks, they were all called upon to direct their respective offenses to an elite level, even if (as in the case of the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants) the offense was a run first system.
That leads us to Chad Henne. When the lockout ends,make no mistake the Jeff Ireland is going to sign or trade for a veteran to significantly challenge Henne for the starting position.
Chad Henne has all of the physical attributes of a starting quarterback. Can he bring it all together though?
At times he sure looks like he can be profound. In other moments, I want to fire him time and again.
Chad Henne presents himself as if nothing shakes him. The reality is that Chad Henne is rattled to the point of making some really bad decisions. The inconsistencies that affected him while at Michigan have followed him to Miami. Jake Long as the utmost confidence in him. I hope Long can also take him aside and give him the reality of his situation.
Chad Henne was impressive as he put the effort out to reach Brian Daboll and learn the new offense, then call the team together to implement it. All the signs of a great leader. I would like to see how this effort is presented on the playing field.
The Miami Dolphins cannot win a Super Bowl with shaky quarterback play. Quite an obvious statement, huh?!
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