MIAMI DOLPHINS Head Coach: Joe Philbin
2012 Record: 7-9-0 (2nd in AFC East)
New Players: WR Mike Wallace; WR Brandon Gibson; LB Dannell Ellerbe; TE Dustin Keller; CB Brent Grimes; OL Lance Louis; LB Philip Wheeler.
Gone Elsewhere: RB Reggie Bush; OL Jake Long; CB Sean Smith; LB Kevin Burnett; LB Karlos Dansby; TE Anthony Fasano; K Dan Carpenter.
Offense: Second year quarterback Ryan Tannehill leads the way after throwing for 3,294 yards with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last year. Matt Moore looks to be the primary backup QB once again.
The running game lost Reggie Bush to free agency but has Daniel Thomas (91 carries for 325 yards and four
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| QB Ryan Tannehill |
The bigger change for the Dolphins offense will be with the passing game as wide receivers Mike Wallace (64 receptions for 836 yards and eight TD) and Brandon Gibson (51, 691, five TD) join last season's leading receiver Brian Hartline, who caught 74 passes for 1,083 yards and one touchdown.
Dustin Keller (28, 317, two TD with the Jets last year) was slated to be the starting tight end, but suffered a season ending knee injury recently. Miami has Charles Clay (18, 212, two TD) and rookie pick Dion Sims (Michigan State) listed on the depth chart behind Keller.
The O-line will be without tackle Jake Long, who left in the off-season. In his place for 2013 will be Jonathan Martin along with right tackle Tyson Clabo. The center is Mike Pouncey and the guards are Richie Incognito and John Jerry.
Defense: The Dolphins play the 4-3 look and Cameron Wake (15 QB sacks) is the leader of the defense from his Defensive End spot. The other end looks to be rookie Dion Jordan (Oregon), although he is listed as a linebacker. The tackles are Randy Starks and Paul Soliai.
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| Dolphins sack leader Cameron Wake |
Safties include Chris Clemons (two interceptions) and Reshad Jones (four picks) while Dimitri Patterson and newcomer Brent Grimes will be the cornerbacks. Rookies Jamar Taylor (Boise State) and Will Davis (Utah State) will be ready to play when needed.
Miami was nothing special defensively last season, finishing 21st in the NFL while allowing 357 yards a game. The pass defense allowed 248 yards per game, which was 27th in the league.
OUTLOOK: With the influx of new wide receivers this season to aid Tannehill, the Dolphins may be airing it out more often in the 2013 season.
Head Coach Joe Philbin would like to see more scoring from the team after the Dolphins scored just 288 points (18 points per game) last season. So it stands to reason the team may be more pass happy heading into the new season. Last year, Miami averaged just 199 yards passing per game while getting 113 yards on the ground.
On the other hand, the defense has to be better against the pass which may be why Miami took two cornerbacks as well as two linebackers in the draft.
If Miami can find the right mix with the running game and the passing game, they should be able to score more often, which would take pressure off the defense. The Dolphins did register 42 QB sacks last year, so they can get after opposing signal callers.
More turnovers on defense would be a plus as well in 2013. The Dolphins forced only 16 turnovers last season while allowing 317 points, which equaled a respectable 19.8 points allowed per game.
The New England Patriots, who have won the AFC East division four consecutive seasons, look to be the favorites once again this year. So the key this season will be division battles with Buffalo and the New York Jets as Miami attempts to maintain second place in the division.
Look for an 8-8 season from the Dolphins, but with some breaks during the regular season, perhaps they could steal a game or two and make the playoffs.
2013 SCHEDULE
Sept. 8- at Cleveland
Sept. 15- at Indianapolis
Sept. 22- vs. Atlanta
Sept. 30- at New Orleans
Oct. 6- vs. Baltimore
Oct. 13- BYE WEEK
Oct. 20- vs. Buffalo
Oct. 27- at New England
Oct. 31- vs. Cincinnati
Nov. 11- at Tampa Bay
Nov. 17- vs. San Diego
Nov. 24- vs. Carolina
Dec. 1- at NY Jets
Dec. 8- at Pittsburgh
Dec. 15- vs. New England
Dec. 22- at Buffalo
Dec. 29- vs. NY Jets
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