Miami Dolphins: Areas That Need to Be Addressed in Offseason

The Miami Dolphins concluded their outstanding November with a nail-biting 20-19 loss to the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.

Their 3-8 overall record, however, is a sobering reminder that the composition of this team needs to change.

Here are five positions that the organization ought to fill with new faces to ensure more success in 2012.

Left Guard

Several upgrades are required on offense. Miami struggled to gain yardage and score points in 2011 until landing comfortably on a three-week stretch of soft opponents to start the month.

One major issue is the offensive line. More specifically, the linemen have had problems protecting their quarterback.

This unit has inexcusably surrendered 34 sacks.

In his seventh season, left guard Richie Incognito isn't getting the job done. Incognito is undersized for the position and not athletic, not to mention perceived as one of the league's dirtiest players.

He has made Matt Moore's transition to starting quarterback unnecessarily difficult. The front office should seek to replace him via the NFL Draft or free agency.

Cornerback

Cornerback Sean Smith came away with a clutch interception of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in Week 12. It was only his first of the season, though, and the ball was poorly thrown.

At 6'3", Smith has excellent size for the position, but not the sufficient speed or reaction time to stick with No. 1 receivers (see Week 4, when he was matched up with Vincent Jackson).

Luckily, the 2012 NFL Draft is incredibly deep with cornerback prospects.

In the second round, for example, the Miami Dolphins could target Georgia's Brandon Boykin. He can serve as both a cornerback and return man.

Tight End

The Miami Dolphins could further improve their scoring potential with a better tight end.

Anthony Fasano is nothing special. He provides decent blocking and average size, but he doesn't possess the athleticism or quickness to merit many targets.

Aaron Rodgers has Jermichael Finley, Drew Brees has Jimmy Graham, and Tom Brady is blessed with a duo of terrific tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

The Dolphins need a talented option to throw to over the middle of the field.

Quarterback

Quarterback Matt Moore has played admirably during the past month, but he is not the future under center for this franchise.

While he doesn't give games away with turnovers, Moore is very pedestrian in all facets.

He was given the job after Chad Henne suffered a season-ending injury. However, it isn't like Henne is an impressive passer, either.

With the amount of quarterback prospects in the upcoming draft, the Miami Dolphins should move on.

Matt Barkley and Landry Jones—assuming that one or both are available when Miami picks—will make the players around them more productive. More importantly, they will bring consistency to a position that has seen constant upheaval since the days of Dan Marino.

Head Coach

Above all others, the most influential individual on the field for any NFL team is the head coach.

Granted, Tony Sparano hasn't had the most talented roster to work with since taking this gig before the 2008 season, but this year's 0-7 start embarrassed the entire organization.

He barely eluded firing last offseason, and that was following a 7-9 campaign.

Sparano doesn't know the defensive side of the ball very well, and the Miami Dolphins' offense has been mediocre for much of 2011.

Although I think fans can live with him for two more years until his contract expires, I believe they deserve better.

The Dolphins need a fresh face behind those shades in order to become contenders again.