Miami Dolphins 2005 season preview

Updated: September 2, 2005, 11:27 AM ET

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THE BOTTOM LINE

By Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com

It has been kind of an annual ritual for Miami Dolphins fans: Fret over the offense and rely on the defense to perform at a high level. Under first-year head coach Nick Saban, the first part of the equation isn't likely to change, at least not until the Dolphins get more consistent play from the quarterback position. But even with a new design on defense, a 3-4 scheme that will deploy end Jason Taylor as stand-up rusher at times, it might be a lot to assume that once-dependable unit can play to its usual standards.

Not since 1997 has the Miami defense ranked statistically outside the league's top 10 units. Over the past seven seasons, in fact, the defense's average ranking was No. 6. But the defense is beginning to show some wear, with six high-profile veterans averaging 31.7 years of age, and nearly six years of NFL tenure. A pair of rookies, corner Travis Daniels and linebacker Channing Crowder, will serve as young building blocks for the coming transition, but they aren't nearly enough.

Saban knows the NFL ropes; the guy can coach at this level; and his practices in camp were a model of efficiency. There's just too much work to be completed, too little time in which to accomplish it and too few players.

ESPN's TAKE

By Merril Hoge, ESPN.com

The Big Question?
This team has to get consistent quarterback play to be successful this season. It's the beginning of the Nick Saban era in Miami, and it's obvious he wants to play ball control offense with his running backs. He's going to try to put his quarterback -- Gus Frerotte or A.J. Feeley -- in a situation similar to what the Steelers are doing with Ben Roethlisberger. To be as successful as the Steelers, the Dolphins need a quarterback who's going to complete passes and not make mistakes -- just like Big Ben.

FANTASY TAKE

By Scott Engel, ESPN.com

Sleeper: RB Ricky Williams
The Dolphins still have a lot of respect for his abilities and likely will give him the opportunity to share playing time with Ronnie Brown after Williams serves a four-game suspension. And if Williams is traded, he could put up fine numbers for another team. At the very least, he could be a good "flex" position player if your league allows for such a position.

Bust: WR Chris Chambers
The Dolphins have some serious QB problems, and Chambers still lacks an explosive complement at the No. 2 WR spot. Chambers has never been consistent, and he doesn't have the fire of some of the league's better receivers, so it's possible he might never live up to his potential.

From ESPN The MAGAZINE

The Big Number

83.7 Miami ran for 83.7 ypg (its worst since 1989). So it drafted Ronnie Brown, hired O-line genius Hudson Houck and re-upped Ricky. What will really pad the total? The QB situation.

STRENGTH --> DEEP SEVEN

Nick Saban cribs from the best. Like his mentor, Bill Belichick, Saban has stockpiled a 3-4 with guys who can moonlight at other positions. Jason Taylor's (left) skills make him the ideal hybrid RDE/ROLB. And there's Zach Thomas and Junior Seau -- two geezers who don't know they are -- and rooks LB Channing Crowder and DE Matt Roth and ... well, you can't name them all. You'll recognize the work, though. Even if it reminds you of someone else's.

WEAKNESS --> NO-FLY ZONE

There are no stupid questions. But there are irrelevant ones. Such as who will be the Dolphins' QB? It could be A.J. Feeley (left), a rhythm passer who lost the beat in 2004 (11 TDs, 15 INTs). Then again, it could be Gus Frerotte, a fave of new O-coordinator Scott Linehan who was last seen imitating a statue on the Vikes' sideline. See? You've already lost interest, haven't you?

PROSPECTS

The Dolphins have run the 4-3 for more than a decade, and run it well, ranking among the top five in fewest points allowed in three of the past five seasons. So imagine how much outrage a vet like Thomas must have felt when Saban announced he was switching to the 3-4. How's none?

"We haven't really won lately," Thomas says. "We've got to try something." In his case, that means rushing the passer more. Thomas has been studying the Pats' ultra aggressive ILBs, and his teammates have adopted his anything-goes attitude, including brother-in-law Taylor, a three-time Pro Bowl DE who will backpedal some in coverage.

"I want to make some really big plays," Thomas says. "That's something you can do in this defense." Even if it ain't broke, sometimes you have to fix it.

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