The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams—including why you should or shouldn’t be rooting for them this season—in the month leading up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 10. Today, the Miami Dolphins.
2014 record: 8-8
Head coach: Joe Philbin
Core players: Ndamukong Suh (DT), Ryan Tannehill (QB), Cameron Wake (DE), Mike Pouncey (C)
2015 is about… Making the leap from mediocrity. Since their last winning season (2008), the Dolphins have bounced between seven and eight wins a year, which is the NFL’s version of no-man’s land. A large part of the club’s inconsistency has revolved around fourth-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who at times looks like a franchise-level passer yet he has routinely not performed well in important late-season games. Despite being rewarded with a large contract extension over the summer, Tannehill was ranked as the league’s 17th-best quarterback by a panel of NFL insiders (per ESPN’s Mike Sando), which again comes back to mediocrity.
Following an active off-season where the club made significant roster changes, the Dolphins will not be satisfied with another non-playoff year. The club hasn’t won a post-season game since the 2000 season.
They lost… Mike Wallace (WR), who was dealt to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a mid-round draft pick at the start of the 2015 league year. Wallace led the Dolphins in receiving yards (862), yards per catch (12.9), and receiving touchdowns (10) last season, but he did not click well with Tannehill, who had consistent issues with deep-ball accuracy.
The team also saw Charles Clay, a four-year starter at tight end, depart in free agency for Buffalo. Meanwhile, reliable defensive lineman Jared Odrick landed a free-agent deal with Jacksonville. The 27-year-old offered versatility as a primary run defender at defensive end and defensive tackle.
Yeah, but they got… The Dolphins made a massive splash in free agency, handing Ndamukong Suh (DT) the largest contract ever given to a defensive player, a six-year deal worth $114 million. Miami believes Suh will upgrade their 24th-ranked run defence as the former Detroit Lion has been the most disruptive player at his position since entering the league in 2010, recording 36 sacks in five seasons with Detroit and leading all defensive tackles in total pressures in 2014, per Pro Football Focus.
To make up for the loss of Wallace, the club acquired Kenny Stills (WR) in an off-season trade with the New Orleans Saints. Stills, 22, is a speedy weapon on the outside that started seven games for the Saints in 2014, registering 63 catches for 931 yards and three touchdowns. The team also recovered from losing Clay by signing playmaking tight end Jordan Cameron, an explosive athlete that has been limited by concussions, from the Browns to complete their overhaul of skill position players.
Growing from within: Part of the reason the Dolphins were comfortable losing Wallace was the presence of Jarvis Landry, who accumulated 84 catches for 758 yards in 2014 as a rookie. With more snaps and an improved rapport with the quarterback, Landry should take an even bigger step forward in Year 2.
On defence, the team has high hopes for a pair of young outside linebackers in Jelani Jenkins and Chris McCain. Jenkins started 14 games in 2014, recording 110 total tackles and graded as a top-10 coverage linebacker by Pro Football Focus. McCain, more of a pass rushing linebacker, has been an off-season standout at team practices after spending the majority of 2014 on special teams. He enters camp as a favourite to start after the club got rid of veterans Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler.
Why this team? Upgrades on the defensive line and at the skill positions make Miami’s roster far more competitive on paper. Few teams offer a pass-rush combination as dangerous as Suh, Cameron Wake, and sneaky-good outside rusher Olivier Vernon. On offence, Tannehill is surrounded by the best group of weapons he’s ever played with. The receiving group, especially, has the makings of a special unit as long as 2015 first-round pick DeVante Parker (foot injury) can stay on the field to compliment Landry, Stills and veteran Greg Jennings.
But also, because of this Brent Grimes interception from last season:
Why not? The AFC East remains one of the toughest divisions in football. The Patriots still have Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, while the Jets and Bills made significant personnel improvements. In terms of their own roster, Miami lacks a proven answer at the No. 2 cornerback spot, plus they still have major questions on the offensive line, a recurring issue for the club, where fantastic left tackle Branden Albert is still recovering from a late-season ACL injury.
Perfect for fans of… The early 2000s New York Rangers: A once-proud organization that is hoping to rediscover their glory, but the franchise was more flash than substance. Like those Rangers’ squads, the Dolphins routinely spend big on veteran free agents yet it rarely translated into wins. The Rangers finished fourth in their division on an annual basis from 1998–2004, the NHL’s version of mediocrity.
How much hope? 6.5/10. Brady’s suspension creates an opportunity for the Dolphins, who easily boast the next-best quarterback in the division. By adding Suh to the D-Line, Miami has the pieces in place to take down New England’s reign, but the team’s recent history combined with a mostly underwhelming head coach limit the enthusiasm.
Will you be mocked for front-running? Most Miami sports fans are known for front-running, so yes we will laugh at you.
A Meme To Remember: