Martin could flourish in Miami

By Adam Best  |   Monday, June 18, 2007  |  Comments( 8 )

Miami Dolphins
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Miami Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron and probable starting quarterback Trent Green can each contribute a large amount of their recent offensive success to one mutual factor: outstanding tight end play.

During Green's six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs All-Pro TE Tony Gonzalez racked up 460 receptions, 5,669 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns. It's hard to argue that those aren't the best numbers posted by any NFL tight end during that span.

During Cameron's last four seasons as the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers, Antonio Gates emerged and quickly became the best Chargers TE since Kellen Winslow Sr. His numbers during that four-year period -- 265 receptions, 3,378 receiving yards and 34 TDs -- rival Gonzalez's.

Considering the immense contributions from Gates and Gonzalez, it's only logical to assume that both Cameron and Green will need at least solid play from the TE position to once again be successful on offense.

Factor in how big of a role former Dolphin tight end Randy McMichael played in the team's offense the last five years -- 283 receptions, 3,096 receiving yards and 18 TDs -- and TE could be the make-or-break position offensively for the Dolphins in '07.

Among the TEs currently on the roster, only David Martin and Justin Peelle had receptions last season. The other tight ends are either rookies or were shut out completely in terms of reception. Peelle has never exceeded 16 receptions, 133 receiving yards or two touchdowns during any of his five professional seasons. Additionally, Peelle played for Cameron, a tight end-friendly playcaller if there ever was one, in San Diego for four years and never impressed (even though he was buried behind Gates for much of that time).

Glancing at his stats, it's almost as easy to write off Martin. His numbers are a little better, however, and his situation was also less favorable. While playing for the Green Bay Packers, Martin frequently split playing time with fellow tight ends Bubba Franks and Donald Lee. During the last few years, none of the three (Franks, Lee and Martin) posted gaudy numbers. That is partially because the Packers' TEs were often used as extra blockers, and because Martin isn't a strong blocker, his snaps were limited. In addition, QB Brett Favre preferred hitting his other targets -- running backs and receivers. Even the ball boys seemed to make a few catches for the Pack last season, and that seemed to negatively affect Martin's statistics.

Even though it is understandable why Martin has never produced statistically, the Dolphins are still putting a lot of faith in an unproven commodity. Personnel gambles like this aren't unprecedented in the NFL, though. You have to look no further than Green himself to find an also-ran who developed into a big-time contributor.

Sometimes all it takes for a player to succeed (if he has the requisite attributes, that is), is to be placed in the right environment. At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, Martin has the size to be an every-down TE. He also has speed, leaping ability and soft hands, traits that all great receiving TEs -- such as Gates, Gonzalez and Jeremy Shockey -- possess. Now that he's playing under Cameron and alongside Green, he also has a QB-friendly system similar to the systems in which some of his more successful peers have flourished. In fact, Green and Martin almost immediately forged a connection during the Dolphins' recent minicamp, a great early sign.

While Martin is far from a sure thing, don't be surprised if he ends up being one of the most improved players in the NFL in 2007. He'll need to in order for both Cameron and Green to put together yet another prolific offensive campaign.

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CommentsComments: 8  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
jax		09:01 AM
06/18/2007
This is the worst article ever...I cant believe they let you write it... blah blah blah. just thought I'd get that out of the...
No.2
Jonathan		10:19 AM
06/18/2007
That is pretty harsh jax. Actually, I am intrigued by Martin. On numerous occassions, he was set to overtake Franks as the...
No.3
Rich		10:24 AM
06/18/2007
100+ yards from Peele is unspectactular. However, He had a 90% Catch Rate(16 for 18) last year... which tops the NFL. Peele has...
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