Game Sports Realm

Considering that Miami spent most of last offseason trying to bolster the trenches on both sides of the ball, most fans were looking forward to addressing needs in the secondary and at WR this year. Unfortunately, Miami still has problems along the interior of the offensive line and the defensive front 7. In the coming days, Game Sports Realm will take a closer look at the NFL free agency period and possible targets for the Dolphins, the NFL Draft, and player/position breakdowns on Miami's roster.

The Dolphins have a few free agents of their own that must be re-signed. CB Andre Goodman, SS Yeremiah Bell, and RT Vernon Carey all must be brought back. Losing any of them will leave Miami with too many holes, making it difficult to build off of last year. It appears that MLB Channing Crowder may be asking for top-5 LB money which he definitely does NOT deserve. Not re-signing Crowder will create another hole to fill, but signing an overrated player to an inflated contract will damage Miami in the long-term. V. Carey has been here his entire career, and was developing really well at RT before being switched to LT last year where he held his own. Flipped back to RT this year, Carey got better as the season went on. Going into his 2nd year back at RT and with continuity along the offensive line , he should continue to improve. Vernon Carey was not the problem on the Offensive line this year.

Crowder may be sliding his way out of Miami

1. CENTER

The running game suffered last year because of the center position, as well as injuries to both guard positions. Current Dolphin center Samson Satele is more quick than strong, which led to defensive penetration along the interior line all season. Miami failed to generate consistent push up the middle. The offensive line is not in bad shape though. Addressing the center position will allow Miami to move Samson to guard, in addition to backup center duties. Satele will make a great guard in the NFL. He would be a excellent pulling guard, and that will give Miami two of them, along with G Justin Smiley. This will give Miami depth at guard with Smiley, Donald Thomas, and Satele. Rookie standout Jake Long was everything as advertised and more. Long will be Miami's franschie LT for years to come. He, along with Vernon Carey give the Dolphins a great pair of offensive tackles.

2. Nose Tackle

When he is healthy, Jason Ferguson is still one of the best 3-4 Nose tackle's in the game. The problem is that he turns 35 next year. And as Miami experienced this year, when Ferguson is out of the game, their defense falls apart like a house of cards. Miami will be playing with fire if they don't address the NT position this offseason. To have such a dramatic fall-off without Ferguson in the lineup, the Dolphins would be foolish to not find his replacement for the future. If they want to be committed to running a 3-4 defense, the NT is the MOST important player. The jury is still out on how far along current backup NT Paul Soliai is with his development, and DT Randy Starks was a great pickup last year but he is more of a 3-4 DE or someone who can play anywhere on a 4-3 front.

3. Linebacker

J-Peezy, the heart and soul of the defense

Miami desperately needs another pass-rushing LB. OLB Joey Porter started the season on fire but tailed off at the end as opposing teams made sure Porter was matched up with an OL. The status of free agent Channing Crowder adds another dilemma to the mix. OLB Matt Roth showed tremendous improvement this year in adapting to his new LB role, but his strengths are in run support, not rushing the QB. He will serve better as an OLB on running downs. MLB Akin Ayodele was decent this year but Miami will be looking to upgrade there as well. If Channing bolts, that leaves 3 out of 4 LB spots in need of improvement, and Joey Porter is not getting any younger, making the situation even more grave. The keys to a great defense: first you must stop the run, second you must pressure the QB, and third and finally, you must stop the pass. Not building in this order is counter-productive. For example, if there is no pass rush, no matter how elite the secondary may be, they will not be able to cover recievers forever. And no matter how good your secondary and linebackers are, if the defensive line can't stop the run, the whole defense will fall apart.

FOR PART II, Click here.