Miami Dolphins 2010 Season Preview, Predictions Picks & Odds
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Miami Dolphins 2009 NFL Record: 7-9 Home: 4-4 Away: 3-5
Miami Dolphins 2010 Preview
So, what will the Trifecta accomplish in Year 3? The Trifecta, of course, is the trio of executive vice president Bill Parcells, general manager Jeff Ireland and coach Tony Sparano, which arrived from Dallas in 2008 and quickly gave credibility to what had recently been a dysfunctional franchise. But after a surprising playoff season in 2008, the Dolphins slipped in 2009 and now must deal with two powerhouses in their own division, the perennially competitive Patriots and the brash and talented Jets. What do they do well? They run the ball. They stop the run. But if the Dolphins plan on passing either of their rivals, they’ll need to get more production out of their passing game – and mostly, they’ll need to stop opposing passers.
2010 Miami Dolphins Quarterbacks
When Chad Pennington tore up his shoulder again in Week 3 last year, Henne, a second-round pick in 2008, took over and went 7-6 the rest of the way, even while getting little support from his defense and playing with pedestrian complementary players. Henne has the size, arm and confidence to be a quality NFL quarterback but still must develop other necessary traits such as touch and pocket awareness. Not wanting to move his family, Pennington re-signed with the Dolphins and chose to accept the No. 3 position and more of a mentor role. His presence should be valuable to Henne, with whom he has a good relationship. Henne’s backup will be Tyler Thigpen or Pat White. Thigpen has proven he can play in the NFL. White, a second-round pick in 2009, has not. He looked overmatched as a rookie, even in specially designed WildPat packages.
2010 Miami Dolphins Running Backs
Can Ronnie Brown stay healthy? That’s the lingering question about the Dolphins’ physical, versatile halfback, who missed the final seven games of 2009 with a Lisfranc fracture of his right foot, two years after missing the final nine games with a knee injury. Brown’s presence remains critical. He is the only halfback on the roster who is fully comfortable as the triggerman in the Wildcat, and he takes the burden off his close friend Ricky Williams. Williams ripped off four 100-yard rushing performances in the first five games with Brown injured but slowed down the stretch. Williams’ workload of 241 carries was more than he’d had the previous three years combined and his most since 2003. Williams could get even more rest if, as expected, 5’8″ Patrick Cobbs returns from a serious knee injury. Quick and tough, Cobbs is a Sparano favorite because he can catch, run from scrimmage and return kicks. Fullback Lousaka Polite is automatic as a short-yardage rusher and has greatly improved his blocking.
2010 Miami Dolphins Receivers
Six. That was the number of touchdowns scored by the Dolphins’ four primary receivers last season. And that meager production is why the Dolphins strayed from their philosophy of avoiding so-called diva receivers and traded two draft picks for Marshall, who has averaged 7.7 touchdowns and 109 catches over the past three seasons. He’s not a burner, but he is a premium possession receiver and will make Henne look much better, provided he stays with the program. He has had a history of troubling domestic incidents and was insubordinate at ‘times during his Denver tenure. Now newly married and well paid, Marshall promised upon arrival to be more of a professional, on and off the field, at all times.Marshall’s arrival should allow the other wideouts to slide into more comfortable roles. Brian Hartline showed promise as a rookie, running good routes and occasionally springing loose for a big play. Greg Camarillo is another year removed from knee surgery and coming off a perfect season (no drops). And Davone Bess is crafty in the slot. What’s missing? A speed threat and a dynamic tight end. The Dolphins cut their losses with Ted Ginn Jr. after one too many drops and sprints toward the sideline. At tight end, they’ll hope Anthony Fasano bounces back from a disappointing year to help Marshall and Bess work the middle.
2010 Miami Dolphins Offensive Line
Jake Long has arrived. The first overall pick in 2008, Long struggled against Atlanta’s John Abraham in the season opener, and then infrequently thereafter. Long is a run-blocking force and has demonstrated that he can adjust enough to handle speed rushers. He’s the least of the Dolphins’ worries for the next decade. Two other positions are set. Jake Grove performed reasonably well at center, and he returns along with right tackle Vernon Carey, whose play was undermined by knee and back problems. It does appear there will be a changing of the guards. Justin Smiley got hurt and didn’t finish either of his Dolphins seasons, so Nate Garner will get a shot at left guard. Garner has shown remarkable versatility, playing tackle, guard and center in a single game. Another potential left guard starter is Donald Thomas, who lost the right guard spot to Garner late last season. The right guard should be Richie Incognito, deemed one of the league’s dirtiest players.
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2010 Miami Dolphins Defense
As the defense crumbled around hin1, the unheralded Randy Starks put together the most consistent season of any Dolphin in 2009, mostly while playing end. Now Starks will be asked to move inside and man the nosetackle position on many downs, at least until veteran Jason Ferguson returns from suspension (for performance- enhancing drugs) after eight weeks, or until massive Paul Soliai can control his weight enough to be counted upon. With Starks shifting inside, three young players will have a chance to make a name on the outside. Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford were high draft choices in 2008, and while both have shown promise, neither has made enough impact plays. Merling, in particular, needs to improve his practice habits or risk getting pushed out by rookie first-rounder Jared Odrick.
Sometimes, it’s tough to notice inside linebacker Channing Crowder when he’s on the field because he makes few gameturning plays. But it’s easy to notice when he’s missing because the Dolphins have fared worse, particularly in coverage, without him. So Crowder returns, and he’ll have more help inside. The Dolphins replaced Akin Ayodele with former Cardinals standout Karios Dansby, spending lavishly to do so. Dansby has shown a knack for the big play. Cameron Wake can really run, too and in limited action he showed the pass-rushing prowess that made him a two-time Canadian Football League Defensive Player of the Year. The question is whether he can stop the run. If so, he’ll get plenty of snaps outside. The other spot is wide open. Charlie Anderson and Quentin Moses haven’t done much to distinguish then1selves, so rookie Koa Misi will get a long look.
The Dolphins didn’t intend to start two rookie cornerbacks in 2009. Then veteran Will Allen’s knee injury forced Vontae Davis into the lineup with Sean Smith. Smith was a little steadier, and Davis a little more spectacular, which was sonmewhat of a surprise considering the ball skills that Smith showed in the preseason. Both got burned some, which was to be expected. Davis is smaller but but loves to hit – and talk. Smith, at 6’3″, uses his feet well but needs to get more physical. If either regresses, the Dolphins can turn back to Allen. The oft-injured Yeremiah Bell saw his perseverance result in his first Pro Bowl appearance, even if he didn’t have his best overall season. He brings some playmalcing ability to the strong safety spot. Gibril Wilson flopped at free safety, leaving the athletic Chris Clemons, the intelligent Tyrone Culver and rookie Reshad Jones to compete for the spot.
Miami Dolphins 2010 Season Prediction
Parcells, Ireland and Sparano have cleaned house in less than three years, keeping only 12 players they inherited (so far), and only five or six of whom have a chance to start. So this is their team now. They have their quarterback, and they have their style of player (big, physical) at virtually every position. But it won’t be a championship team until Henne takes a step toward the elite, which could be a year or two away, if it happens at all.
We predict that the Miami Dolphins will finish 3rd in the AFC East, with a record of 8-8.
Miami Dolphins Betting
AFC East Odds: 3-10 AFC Conference Odds: 14-1 Super Bowl Odds: 30-1
Miami Dolphins Five-Year Win Betting Trends
2005: 9 2006: 6 2007: 1 2008: 11 2009: 7
Bet on the Miami Dolphins
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