The Ultimate Sports Blog's
2015-16 NFL Preview
2014-15 Record: 8-8
Last Playoff Win: 2000 Wild Card vs. Indianapolis Colts
Last Playoff Appearance: 2008 Wild Card vs. Baltimore Ravens
Last Super Bowl Win: VIII vs. Minnesota Vikings (1973)
Last Super Bowl Appearance: XIX vs. San Francisco 49ers (1984)
Head Coach:
Joe Philbin (23-25 all-time in Miami, 0-0 in playoffs)
Offensive Coordinator: Bill Lazor
Defensive Coordinator: Kevin Coyle
2014-15 Team Leaders:
Passing Yards: Ryan Tannehill (4,045 yards, 66.4% completions, 27 TD's, 12 INT's, 92.8 QB rating)
Rushing Yards: Lamar Miller (216 attempts, 1,099 yards, 8 TD's)
Receiving Yards: Mike Wallace (67 receptions, 862 yards, 10 TD's)
Tackles: Jelani Jenkins (110 tackles)
Interceptions: Brent Grimes (5 interceptions)
2014-15 Team Rankings:
Passing Offense: 17th in NFL
Rushing Offense: 12th in NFL
Points Per Game: 11th in NFL
Least Points Allowed Per Game: 20th in NFL
2014-15 Potential Starters:
Purpe - Elite Starter
Blue - Above Average Starter
Green - Average Starter
Orange - Below Average Starter
Grey - Rookie
Red - Disgusting, Awful, Horrible, E.J. Manuel
Offense:
QB: Ryan Tannehill
RB: Lamar Miller
WR: DeVante Parker
WR: Kenny Stills
TE: Jordan Cameron
C: Mike Pouncey
OG: Dallas Thomas
OG: Jeff Linkenbach
OT: Ja'Wuan James
OT: Branden Albert
Defense:
DE: Olivier Vernon
DE: Cameron Wake
DT: Earl Mitchell
DT: Ndamukong Suh
LB: Koa Misi
LB: Chris McCain
LB: Jelani Jenkins
CB: Brent Grimes
CB: Jamar Taylor
FS: Reshad Jones
SS: Michael Thomas
2014-15 Schedule:
(September 13) vs. @ Washington Redskins
(September 20) vs. @ Jacksonville Jaguars
(September 27) vs. Buffalo Bills
(October 4) vs. New York Jets
(October 11) BYE WEEK
(October 18) vs. @ Tennessee Titans
(October 25) vs. Houston Texans
(October 29) vs. @ New England Patriots
(November 8) vs. @ Buffalo Bills
(November 15) vs. @ Philadelphia Eagles
(November 22) vs. Dallas Cowboys
(November 29) vs. @ New York Jets
(December 6) vs. Baltimore Ravens
(December 14) vs. New York Giants
(December 20) vs. @ San Diego Chargers
(December 27) vs. Indianapolis Colts
(January 3) vs. New England Patriots
Overlook: Man, I really want to fall in love with the Miami Dolphins. There's something about their roster that I like, but there's also something about this team that I just don't trust. Maybe it's Joe Philbin? I mean, the guy has been the definition of mediocre as a head coach since arriving in Miami and even has a scandal in the locker room under his belt to top it all off. I honestly believe that if he can't lead this Dolphins team to a playoff appearance this season, it's high time for Miami to go out and throw some money at a guy who can do exactly that, because this is a pretty damn talented roster and it would be a shame if the guy in charge can't put it all together this season. Philbin just hasn't showed that he has what it takes to be a successful NFL head coach (he's a damn good coordinator though) yet and I don't know if he ever will.
Anyway. Let's let look at the positives. So, just how talented is this Miami team? Well, there are plenty of questions on the offensive line, but everywhere else it's pretty good. Ryan Tannehill has quietly turned into the pretty good NFL QB that no one ever says anything good about. I don't know why you get crucified for saying that, but people who don't like the guy must not be paying attention to him. Guess what? He's only going to get better this year with the weapons he's going to have at his disposal. For example, Lamar Miller, who is a stud RB that no one talks about. He had a good year last year and I expect him to be even better this season. Where Miami should be really improved at is the wide receiver position. The overrated Mike Wallace is gone and in come the underrated (noticing a theme with this Miami offense?) Kenny Stills, rookie DeVante Parker, and former Cleveland Brown tight end Jordan Cameron. Something tells me Tannehill is going to love his new weapons and he will be a good pick up in fantasy football.
Miami's defense is also pretty stacked on paper. There are some weaknesses in the secondary, especially now that Louis Delmas is out for the year with a torn ACL. However, the Dolphins spent a lot of money to bring in Ndamukong Suh and they are hoping it will pay off in a huge way. Suh comes in and joins a defensive line that is already pretty damn good. Miami's front seven is going to be beastly and I'll pray for any opposing QB and RB. The money spent on Suh was a lot and something tells me people won't be complaining about his pay day if the Dolphins are still playing football into late-January.
So, are the Miami Dolphins good enough to finally unseat the New England Patriots and win the AFC East title? I don't know about that. Are the Dolphins good enough to get to the playoffs? Definitely, but it's going to be a tough road getting there. Either way, this season has to be "playoffs or bust" for Joe Philbin because there has to be a guy (Jon Gruden? Bill Cowher?) out there that can get this team over that 8-8 hump if he's not it. No pressure though......
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