NFL team previews — AFC East
By Alex Marvez
Updated Aug. 23, 2000
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Dolphins CB
Sam Madison
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New coach. New quarterback. New offense. And new coordinators.
"The tradition continues" seems an unusual promotional campaign considering
the direction of the Miami Dolphins is taking such a drastic turn under head coach Dave
Wannstedt.
The conservative offense of former head coach Jimmy Johnson was scrapped by new
coordinator Chan Gailey. And regardless of whether Damon Huard or Jay Fiedler replaces
retired QB Dan Marino, Dolphins faithful and players will need some time to forget No. 13.
That’s why the 2000 Dolphins will rely more than ever on a defense that ranked No.
5 in the NFL last season.
"I think there’s a lot of optimism," DE Trace Armstrong said. "Guys
see we can improve. We’ve been very good in the past, but guys believe in what
we’re doing. I think people forgot how good we were last year. We can be
significantly better than that."
Top of page
| Quarterbacks |
Grade C |
| The QB competition may extend until just before the
regular-season opener Sept. 3 vs. Seattle. Huard could have won the position by default
when Fiedler was sidelined by minor hip surgery in the preseason. But after some so-so
outings by Huard, the door is open for Fiedler to win the job, provided he can return for
the Aug. 25 preseason finale at New Orleans. Mike Quinn won the third-string spot over Jim
Druckenmiller. Top of
page |
| Running backs |
Grade C+ |
| Wannstedt is talking about a RB-by-committee system.
Incumbent J.J. Johnson and offseason acquisition Lamar Smith were neck and neck for the
top spot, but rumors of a four-game suspension of Johnson, reportedly for violating the
league's steroid policy, could alter the plan. A dark-horse candidate is Autry Denson, who
was signed off of Tampa Bay’s practice squad midway through last season. Thurman
Thomas comes from Buffalo to serve as a third-down back and a tutor to Johnson. Starting
FB Rob Konrad will be used more as a receiver, with rookie Deon Dyer being inserted in
short-yardage situations. Top
of page |
| Receivers |
Grade C+ |
| Wannstedt liked to brag about this unit’s depth, but
that was before two of his wideouts were sidelined by injuries. O.J. McDuffie is out for
at least the first six games following toe surgery, and Lamar Thomas had his season cut
short by injury for the second year in a row after suffering a fractured dislocation of
his hip Aug. 21. Tony Martin was badly underused last season but still managed his fourth
1,000-yard campaign in five years. Oronde Gadsden provides a big target in the red zone.
The coaches love Bert Emanuel’s speed and ability to play option quarterback in
short-yardage situations. Hunter Goodwin is the starting tight end because of his
blocking, not receiving. Top
of page |
| Offensive linemen |
Grade C |
| There are questions about every position on the line. OLT
Richmond Webb, who missed almost three weeks of camp with bone chips in his elbow, must
stay healthy after two injury-plagued seasons. OLG Mark Dixon is the team’s best
lineman — provided he can stay healthy. After signing a five-year, $12.75 million
deal in the offseason, C Tim Ruddy is expected to step up his play. Kevin Donnalley may
become the starting right guard, even though Miami tried desperately to replace him in the
offseason. Rookie ORT Todd Wade will need some time to learn NFL blitz packages, but he
will immediately upgrade the running game. Brent Smith, John Bock, Willie Jones and Heath
Irwin are the projected backups. Top of page |
| Defensive linemen |
Grade A |
| Once again, this is the strength of the Dolphins’
defense. Daryl Gardener has the potential to become a marquee defensive tackle, so the
Dolphins signed him to an eight-year, $50 million contract extension. Playing at an equal
level is DT-mate Tim Bowens, who is renowned for his run defense. The Dolphins also have
promising backups in newcomers Damian Gregory and Jermaine Haley. The DE position is just
as deep. DRE Jason Taylor shows signs of bouncing back from a disappointing 1999 campaign,
especially because he is lining up further outside the tackles and occasionally flops to
the left side in new coordinator Jim Bates’ scheme. Kenny Mixon has wrestled the
starting DLE spot from Rich Owens, although the two are expected to share playing time.
Even at age 34, Armstrong is Miami’s best pass rusher and a true leader on a team
needing more of them. Lorenzo Bromell shows promise. Top of page |
| Linebackers |
Grade B |
| Zach Thomas finally entered the realm of elite middle
linebackers last season by reaching his first Pro Bowl. Thomas led the Dolphins in tackles
for the fourth consecutive season and had a career-high 12 passes defensed. Strong-side LB
Robert Jones finished tied for second on the team in tackles with 100, but he failed to
register a single sack, interception, fumble recovery or forced fumble. Weak-side LB
Derrick Rodgers also failed to make big plays and actually finished tied for ninth in
tackles, which is awful for that position. Former Giant Scott Galyon was added in the
offseason to push Rodgers and play on special teams. Backup MLB Larry Izzo is the
special-teams leader. Top
of page |
| Defensive backs |
Grade B |
| Wannstedt treasures a shutdown cornerback, and that is why
Sam Madison was given an eight-year, $51.4 million extension. Offenses will shy from
throwing at Madison and attempt to pick on LCB Patrick Surtain, who appears ready for the
challenge. Surtain had an outstanding training camp to hold off an early charge from
former Chargers starter Terrance Shaw, who is sidelined until at least early in the
regular season following arthroscopic knee surgery. When Shaw is healthy, he will push Ray
Hill for the nickel-DB role. Miami’s safeties are thrilled with Bates’
employment of more zone schemes after spending the past four years predominantly in man
coverage. Opponents were drawing in the safeties too frequently with play-action passes in
’99, leaving the cornerbacks vulnerable to deep throws while in single coverage. FS
Brock Marion already looks more comfortable in the new system, while Brian Walker has been
a nice surprise at strong safety. Waived at the end of last year’s training camp,
Walker gained about 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason and has proved to be a sure
tackler. Top of page |
| Special teams |
Grade B+ |
| The fact that Olindo Mare set the NFL’s single-season
field-goal record (39) in ’99 is a double-edged sword. Mare’s success was
reflective of the fact that the Dolphins scored touchdowns on only 21-of-51 trips inside
the 20-yard line. "Our goal was not to send Olindo to the Pro Bowl this year,"
Wannstedt said after Mare kicked five field goals in Miami’s 15-13 preseason win over
Tampa Bay. Matt Turk, a three-time Pro Bowl selection acquired in an offseason trade with
Washington, should close the Dolphins’ revolving door of punters. The coverage units
will always be fine because of special-teams coach Mike Westhoff, but the return game is
up for grabs. At presstime, Miami was rotating rookie CB Ben Kelly and WRs Leslie
Shepherd, Nate Jacquet and Robert Baker in hopes one would stand out. Top of page |
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