Miami Dolphins team needs

by Dan Kadar on Jun 28, 2010 10:58 PM EDT

After using seven of its eight draft picks this year on defense, it may automatically lead one to assume Miami needs to add talent on offense. That's not necessarily the case. The team is set at quarterback, wide receiver and offensive tackle. But the rest of the offense needs some work.

The defense, though, has the biggest needs. In Miami's blitzing 3-4 scheme, a good nose tackle and playmaking free safety are necessities. Miami has glaring question marks at both spots. In no order, here's a look at all of the team's big needs heading into the 2010 season:

- Running back: Lead back Ronnie Brown has only played a full 16 games once in his career and is approaching 30. He's also a free agent following this season. Secondary option Ricky WIlliams has played well but is 33. Depth of Kory Sheets and Lex Hilliard leave plenty to be desired.

- Tight end: Anthony Fasano is good, albeit unspectacular, option as a starter. He'll be a free agent after the 2010 season and a better pass catcher could upgrade the offense. Joey Haynos, a restricted free agent after 2010, is easily replaceable.

- Guard: This is a position in flux for the Dolphins. The two positions seem wide open between Richie Incognito, Nate Garner, Cory Proctor, Donald Thomas and third round rookie John Jerry. None of those names really strike as spectacular, but this season will really prove whether two quality players can be found on the interior.

- Nose tackle: Randy Starks has become a very good player at end in the 3-4, but is shifting inside to nose. That might not be the best option for the Dolphins. Regular starter Jason Ferguson is suspended the first eight games of the season and has toyed with retirement. Paul Soliai is a big body and little else. Unless Starks is a revelation at the position, the lynchpin position of the 3-4 could become the team's biggest need.

- Free safety: There looks to be a battle at free safety between incumbent Chris Clemons, backup strong safety Tyrone Culver and rookie Reshad Jones. Clemons has been ordinary as a starter and struggles supporting the run. There's a lot of potential in Jones, a high school star, but he never truly realized it at Georgia.

For more on the Dolphins, make sure to check out The Phinsider. Lead blogger Matty I breaks down his team just as good (and often better) than any blogger on the SBN network.

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Pressure's on Henne and Nolan

On offense, Henne will need to establish chemistry with their new toy, BMarsh. He’ll help stretch the field a bit, as long as the offense is able to sell the run. Without stellar Guard play, that may be a challenge this year, but I didn’t hear anything I didn’t like about John Jerry in the draft. He could be big help for them.

Without a clear cut NT, turnover at LB, and uncertainty in the secondary, Nolan will have to work some of the same magic that he pulled in Denver in 2009. But how long before opponents will have enough film and take shots at the D’s weaknesses? He’ll need to be more unpredictable than he was last December.

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by Horsepower on Jun 29, 2010 1:30 AM EDT reply actions

I think RB, OLB ( because they lack an elite pass rusher ) and FS are the only real needs. I think they are good enough at guard and I think John Jerry will be very solid. If Fasano stays then they can just get a pass catching TE in the mid to
late rounds. I also belive Starks will do well at nose tackle

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by TheRealSlimShady on Jun 29, 2010 1:38 AM EDT reply actions

They did draft Koa Misi

so you might want to see what he does before OLB is considered a need

by Yankees10 on Jun 29, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Well it isn’t a big need but the Dolphins have the luxury of taking that position because they don’t have too many holes on their team.

"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz

by TheRealSlimShady on Jun 29, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

They do have one player who may have a Dumervil-like season this year with the addition on Mike Nolan

DeMarcus Ware – 590 rushes, 60 pressures, 19 hits, 14 sacks. 93/590 = 16% success rate.
Robert Mathis – 409 rushes, 37 pressures, 11 hits, 10 sacks. 58/409 = 14% success rate.
Dwight Freeney – 393 rushes, 41 pressures, 12 hits, 14 sacks. 67/393 = 17% success rate.
Jared Allen – 561 rushes, 35 pressures, 14 hits, 15 sacks. 64/561 = 11% success rate.
Elvis Dumervil – 419 rushes, 31 pressures, 7 hits, 17 sacks. 55/419 = 13% success rate.
James Harrison – 420 rushes, 34 pressures, 14 hits, 10 sacks. 58/420 = 14% success rate.
Lamarr Woodley – 391 rushes, 31 pressures, 15 hits, 14 sacks. 60/391 = 15% success rate.
-—————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Cameron Wake – 134 rushes, 20 pressures, 6 hits, 5.5 sacks. 33/134 = 23% success rate.
He was used as a situational pass rusher last year, but who knows how effective he will be as an every down player.

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by Choose your screen name: on Jun 29, 2010 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Too small of a sample. He still isn’t proven.

"Young men, I have no doubt that you're gonna do well today. But I have 1 favor to ask of you... SAVE JIMMY JOHNSON'S ASS FOR ME!" Lou Holtz

by TheRealSlimShady on Jun 29, 2010 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

True. But he is very dynamic and I hope he can dominate like he did in the CFL once he becomes a starter

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by Choose your screen name: on Jun 29, 2010 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

you need about a 150 snaps to get a gauge on a guy.

this guy is a pass rusher.

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by PotM on Jul 29, 2010 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

when we put starks inside last year

he was actually very productive, so i think we will be fine there

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by finzrule on Jun 29, 2010 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

Jerry

Is a road grader at guard. If they put him on the right side I think his pass protection can be covered up. Not saying he can’t be good in pass pro someday, but he needs work there.

Whats the story on Phillip Merling as of late? That could create a small(maybe larger) need at end.

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by Bestjagfan on Jun 29, 2010 7:08 PM EDT reply actions

Well if Merling can't play, then hopefully our first round draft pick Odrick can

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by Choose your screen name: on Jun 29, 2010 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn

My bad man. Totally forgot about Odrick.

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by Bestjagfan on Jun 30, 2010 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Randy Starks coukd be the next Jay Ratliff

I believe he will be a plesant suprise.

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by Patssuck456 on Jul 3, 2010 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

Jones to PS

Amaya to 3rd string SS/FS
Fasano was the best run blocking TE last year.
Guard: Thomas, the game is starting to slow down for him. Last year he thought everyone was moving 1 million an hour, but per Sparano it is slowing down.

Incognito, if he can keep his anger problem under control, he is one of the better Gs in the NFL.

Guard is NOT a need!

by PotM on Jul 29, 2010 9:16 PM EDT reply actions