Sports Update Monday: 2013 Miami Dolphins Preview
The Miami Dolphins’ first season under head coach Joe Philbin should be considered a success. The Dolphins survived having HBO and NFL Films document their training camp for “Hard Knocks” and remained in playoff contention entering November before losing five of six games during a tough, middle portion of their schedule. Click below to read more!
On the field, Miami’s defense was solid, particularly against the run, but the pass rush was inconsistent and the unit failed to create turnovers. The Dolphins’ offense was limited by a lack of weapons in the passing game and the inexperience of first-round quarterback Ryan Tannehill. In 16 starts, a figure that nearly matched his college totals, Tannehill completed nearly 60 percent of 484 pass attempts for 3,294 yards with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. For a prospect as inexperienced as Tannehill, he demonstrated excellent poise and appears to have all the tools to become a franchise quarterback.
Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland needs Tannehill to take the next step in 2013. Ireland is entering the final year of his contract and likely needs a playoff appearance to get an extension from owner Stephen Ross. To make the postseason, the Dolphins will need new veteran leaders to emerge (the leadership committee of Jake Long, Reggie Bush and Karlos Dansby from last season are all ex-Dolphins now) and for Ireland’s draft picks and free agent additions to pay off.
Best Offseason Acquisition
Miami’s interest in Wallace was one of the worst-kept secrets in the days leading up to the start of the 2013 league year. On the opening day of free agency, the Dolphins signed the former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout to a five-year, $60 million contract with $30 million in guaranteed money. Wallace caught 235 passes for 4,042 yards and 32 touchdowns during his four seasons in the league. According to Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted metrics, Wallace ranked in the Top 20 among NFL receivers in DYAR (Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement) during his first three seasons in the league and was first with 458 DYAR and 49.0% DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) in 2010. Wallace adds a sorely-needed deep threat element to the Dolphins offense, but he’s equally as dangerous on short and intermediate routes and should help improve a passing offense that ranked 26th in the NFL last season.
Player You May Not Have Heard of Yet, But Will Soon
According to official NFL playing-time documents, running back Lamar Miller only played 13.8 percent of the Dolphins’ offense snaps (and 8.71 percent of the special teams snaps) last season. Miller was inactive twice, was active, but did not play once, and had four games where he had zero carries. So if you haven’t heard of Miller yet, you’re excused. You also won’t have to wait too long to see him in 2013. Miller’s combination of size (5-foot-11, 218 pounds) and speed (4.34 in the 40-yard dash at the 2012 combine) made Reggie Bush expendable and has him ahead of the more highly-drafted Thomas on the depth chart entering training camp. If Miller improves on his blocking to where he can be used on all three downs, the Dolphins will have a star in the backfield.
Stat Fact
In 2012, the Dolphins were one of five teams with just three pass plays of 40+ yards. Wallace had four catches of 40+ yards in 2012, which was actually a career low for him. Between 2009 and 2011, Wallace had 23 catches of 40+ yards, including 10 in 2010.
This Team’s Best-Case Scenario For The 2013 Season
Tannehill and Wallace develop a strong rapport, the offensive line provides adequate pass protection and open holes for Miller. First-round pick Dion Jordan improves the pass rush and the secondary comes down with more than the nine interceptions it produced in 2012. The Dolphins make the playoffs and Ireland receives an extension.
(via Shutdown Corner)