The seven most important Dolphins in ‘08

By Dan Davis  |   Wednesday, May 28, 2008  |  Comments( 8 )

Miami Dolphins
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As is the case with any team in any sport, a new season begets a plethora of new hopes and expectations. For outsiders, it would seem the fans of the Miami Dolphins should keep their expectations at a minimal level. After all, what should you expect from a team that has won seven games in two years, including a one-victory 2007 campaign? Naysayers would say not much, but cruise around the Miami message boards for a couple of minutes and you get a distinctly different feel. They see a team with at least average (if not better) talent. They see a team with a few playmakers. Most importantly, they see a team with a new direction, a new attitude. Although their predictions remain mostly modest, the best being 8-8 with 7-9 a more likely outcome, even these are optimistic for a squad coming off a 1-15 season. So what would it take for the Dolphins to attain this level of success? Here are the seven people most crucial to Miami's success or failure this year:

1) Bill Parcells:

When Miami hired Parcells as its executive vice president of football operations, a new sheriff strolled into town -- a sheriff with Super Bowl rings to boot. Few personalities in football command the type of respect that Parcells does. He’s a living legend in the game. Though Parcells won’t be patrolling the sidelines or directly influencing the game plans, the attitude he brings to the organization presents a paradigmatic shift from what has come to be expected. After all the coaching changes and front-office turmoil that has developed in South Florida the last several years, the Dolphins need a dogmatic enforcer. They need a personality with the bark of Marge Schott and the bite of Tony Soprano. Parcells is that guy. More than just providing a new attitude and outlook to the organization, Parcells must continue in the path started by Nick Saban of infusing young talent into a roster previously chock full of talented but aging veterans. Parcells’ first draft seems promising; the Dolphins added needed bulk on both lines, at linebacker and improved their quarterback position.

2) Tony Sparano:

Much like Parcells, Sparano brings a sort of doggedness to the organization which Cam Cameron lacked simply by being too nice of a guy. Sparano does not need to be an instant savior. He’s not expected to win 13 games and the AFC East. But he is expected to bring the team under his reins; and if his current stance on the Jason Taylor situation serves as any indicator, there will certainly be no questioning his authority. Sparano is an offensive-minded coach, which seems to be an interesting choice for Parcells, but the two are obviously linked from their days in Dallas. Sparano should institute a toughness to this team. For a team with a talented staple of running backs and a retooled offensive line, the Dolphins should be able to ride their horses into a position to win several games this year. Sparano should bring life to what has been a sinking ship in recent years.

3) Jake Long:

Here is the pick the Dolphins have needed for years. Long's not a first-round reach for a receiver/return man (though Ted Ginn has proved promising); he's not the flashy QB pick everyone hopes for; instead, he should become a legitimate anchor for an offensive line that desperately needs one. Thanks to his attitude and work ethic, Long will drive every player around him to get better, even as a rookie. He’s just that type of a player. He’s a true leader and a hard worker. He provides an immediate upgrade over Vernon Carey, who has never quite worked out the way the Dolphins expected (mostly because he's been playing LT when he should have been at RT), and will be protecting the blind side of either Chad Henne or John Beck while paving lanes for Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, and Jesse Chatman. The Dolphins now have two solid bookends at tackle, and the additions of free agents Justin Smiley and Steve McKinney should help to shore up the middle of their offensive line.

4) Ronnie Brown (health):

Brown is an NFL star to be, if he can just stay healthy. How will Brown recover from offseason ACL surgery? Having Ricky Williams should help to soften that blow. While Brown should be the workhorse, he won’t likely be expected to step into that role immediately. Brown is a gamebreaker who can do damage both carrying and catching the ball out of the backfield, and he could really be a versatile weapon for the Dolphins' now-young offense this season.

5) Whoever the QB is:

Will it be Beck or Chad Henne? It seems there are two separate camps on this issue. Some think Beck has said and done all the right things this offseason and provides the single best option for the future. Others think Henne could seriously compete for the job with his smarts, relating back to his early success at Michigan. Yet the consensus before the draft seemed to be that Henne was little more than a solid career backup. Then again, his draft status rose rapidly in the final weeks. Either way, the competition should be interesting. For a team which needs consistency, it seems important that Sparano tap his guy and run with him in order to produce as little confusion as possible.

6) Phillip Merling:

This may seem a little out of left field, but Merling, one of Miami's second-round picks, could really be an impact player for the team immediately. Merling has the size and athleticism to play a variety of positions for defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. If Jason Taylor returns (more on that in a minute), Merling can step into the DE position, giving Miami a pair of dynamic OLBs in Taylor and Joey Porter. Channing Crowder has more than proved his worth in the middle, and the additions of Reggie Torbor and Akin Ayodele give the Dolphins another solid couple of players for the middle of their 'D'. Conversely, if Taylor does depart, Merling has the athleticism and speed to be moved to the outside and play as a pass-rushing threat similar to that of Demarcus Ware in Dallas and Shawne Merriman in San Diego. Either way, Merling will be essential to this team’s defensive success this season.

7) Jason Taylor:

Last but not least, the darling child, Taylor, the same guy who has poured his blood and guts into this organization for each of his 12 years in the NFL. Not just a pass-rushing threat, Taylor is a well-rounded force with the ability to completely change the complexion of any game. But -- and it’s a huge but -- it’s all for naught if the team's management and Taylor can’t iron out whatever riffs that have recently arisen. Taylor will not show for organized team activities, and his date to return to the Dolphins is at this point undetermined. Trade rumors violently fly about and many seemed resigned to the fact that he’s gone. But if the Dolphins know what’s good for them, they need to keep him around. Parcells and Sparano should be patient with the veteran and allow him to voice his opinion. They should give him special treatment. Why? Because his play has warranted it. Adding Taylor to this Dolphin defense makes the unit a drastically different animal. Without Taylor, questions immediately arise: Who will be the pass-rushing threat? Who will play OLB? Who will play DE? Will Merling be ready? Who will the leaders be? For both the Dolphins' immediate and long-term future, having Taylor as an active team member this year is the absolute best option for all parties involved.

While there are certainly a large number of mitigating factors entering the upcoming season, a simple first take of the Dolphins illustrates that fundamental success will be completely impossible without the inclusion of the above seven individuals. Barring a shocking development or unexpected turn of events, the Dolphins will very likely suffer if some of the aforementioned names fail to perform their tasks as described.
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About Dan Davis

I'm a 23 year professional camel trainer, well exercised in the disciplines of pass rushing and mass texting. I'm an avid fan NAIA Men's Lacrosse, and I regularly paratroop on the weekend. Any questions feel free to ask.
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