Miami Dolphins Preview

Do you think Cam Cameron is a real name?
by David Lister

You know that friend you have who took a breakup really badly?  You and the rest of his friends had to get together to start an impromptu suicide watch the guy was so depressed.  He would say things like, “I thought we were really starting to fall in love,” and “I never saw this coming.”  Well that guy is the Miami Dolphins and his girlfriend is Nick Saban.  Welcome to the post-Marino Dolphins.

Quarterback:

Even though at this time Daunte Culpepper is still on the Dolphins roster, there’s no way that will be the case when the season begins.  Trent Green will be the starter this year, but he is not without question marks.  He will turn 37 years old this year and he missed half of last year with a concussion.  Injuries have been a problem for Green (see “How Kurt Warner Became Starting Quarterback In The NFL”) and no one is really sure how effective new head coach Cam Cameron’s offense is going to be.

But Green is the same quarterback who passed for more than 4000 yards three straight years for the Kansas City Chiefs and has been a productive player everywhere he’s been.  Because of last year’s injury I expect Green to slip to about round 10 in most drafts, which is probably about right.  He won’t be a dominant fantasy player this year, but as long as he’s healthy he’ll put up good numbers.

Cleo Lemon should win the backup quarterback job, and even though he has very little experience (68 attempts last year) you should be keeping an eye on him.  He will get some playing time before the year is over.  Rookie John Beck was a second round draft pick and he will become the quarterback of the future sooner or later.  But until that future comes, don’t consider him for your team.

Running Back:

Everything seems set for Ronnie Brown to have a breakout season.  Last year he ran for 1008 yards despite missing time because of a fractured hand and his new coach just happened to be LaDainian Tomlinson’s offensive coordinator last year.  While Brown hasn’t shown the kind of ability that LT has, he is an above average back with good receiving skills.  The biggest worry with Brown is that he only has 10 TDs in two years, but with Green at QB this offense is sure to be more effective.  He will be a late first round pick in most drafts, if he’s available in the second round don’t think twice about taking him.

Last year’s backup Sammie Morris has moved onto NFL heaven (the Patriots) which means that rookie Lorenzo Booker, drafted in the third round, will get the first shot at being Brown’s backup.  Booker has good speed and receiving skills, meaning that he will also likely be the team’s third down back.  Jesse Chatman, Patrick Cobbs and Ray Perkins round out the Dolphins running backs core.  None had any fantasy impact last year and that will not change this year.

Wide Receiver/Tight End:

Chris Chambers had his worst year as a pro last season (59 Reception, 677 Yards, 4 TDs), which is never a good sign for a 28-year-old receiver.  Hope of him becoming an elite receiver is now fading, but again this is a new offense with a new quarterback.  Despite last year’s disappointment, I have a feeling Chambers’ name recognition will push him up to the eighth round, possibly the seventh.  While the potential is there, wait until the tenth round to pick him.

Former Bears number one receiver Marty Booker will be the other starter for the Dolphins.  Last year he actually put up better numbers than Chambers, and he is likely to be around last year’s 55 Receptions, 747 Yards and 6 TDs this year.  He is sure to be drafted after Chambers, and he makes sense as a eleventh or twelfth round pick. Az-Zahir Hakim is a capable third receiver, but unless the offense takes off there’s no need to consider him for your fantasy team.  The worst pick of the NFL Draft may have been the Dolphins taking Ted Ginn with the ninth pick.  He will get a chance on special teams this year, but he won’t be a fantasy impact receiver this year.

The Dolphins starting tight end going into the season should be former Packer David Martin.  Unless Green confuses Martin for his former tight end, Tony Gonzalez, he won’t be much of a factor.  At best he will contribute 30 receptions and 5 TDs, so he probably won’t be a fantasy option.  His backup is Justin Peelle, which is a curious last name.  I wonder how it’s pronounced.

Defense/Special Teams:

Miami turned out to be one of the best team defenses last year, finishing fourth in yards allowed per game with 289.1.  Their scoring defense was just as good, allowing only 17.7 points per game.  They were paced by defensive end Jason Taylor, who had a fantastic year with 13.5 sacks and he even returned two interceptions for touchdowns.  Adding Joey Porter to the linebacking core to go with Zach Thomas means that this year they should be better.  And while Ted Ginn won’t have an offensive impact, anyone who watched him in college knows what he can do as a returner.  This unit will be drafted in the eighth or ninth round.