Evaluating the Dolphins’ veterans: Part I - offense

By Hugo Guzman  |   Tuesday, December 18, 2007  |  Comments( 4 )

Miami Dolphins
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
With just two games left in the 2007 season (and the threat of a possible winless campaign extinguished), the 1-13 Miami Dolphins will undoubtedly shift into evaluation mode.

This year, more than any other, it appears as if every level of the franchise is undergoing some form of evaluation. Owner Wayne Huizenga is considering selling 49 percent of the team. Head coach Cam Cameron, general manager Randy Mueller, and the rest of the team's brass are also being eyed and are subject to dismissal. Lastly, but most importantly, the Dolphins are deciding how each player fits into the organization's future plans.

When you think evaluation, names like Mueller, Cameron and rookie quarterback John Beck come to mind, but there's another group of guys who will likely receive adjudication in a swifter manner. Of course, I'm talking about the veterans.

Miami has a lot of different types of veterans. There's a Pro Bowler by the name of Jason Taylor. There are also washed-up vets like Trent Green. The Dolphins also have punch-drunk veterans like Zach Thomas, pedestrian veterans like Marty Booker, underachieving veterans like Joey Porter, retiring veterans like Keith Traylor, and useless veterans like Travares Tillman.

Therefore, it would be worthwhile to list all of Miami's veterans and offer up some brief thoughts on each one. For the sake of brevity, only players who are at least 28 years old will be included.

Trent Green: The 37-year-old took a knee to the head that effectively ended his career earlier this season. That being said, there might be a place for him on the coaching staff.

Cleo Lemon: Week 15 heroics aside, Lemon is nothing more than a solid backup. The 28-year-old will likely test free agency, but if the price is right, Miami should consider re-signing him.

Jesse Chatman: The former butterball back was a definite feel-good story and has certainly earned a place in the NFL, but considering Ronnie Brown and Lorenzo Booker are assured roster spots, Chatman will have to battle it out with Ricky Williams and Patrick Cobbs to be Miami's third RB next season. Also, don't rule out Miami drafting a running back in April, making Chatman's future prospects with the Dolphins that much dimmer.

Ricky Williams: See Jesse Chatman.

Marty Booker: The 31-year-old grabbed his 500th career reception Sunday, and he still has a season or two of serviceable play left, but it's highly unlikely Booker will return to Miami in 2008.

David Martin: Regardless of the Dolphins' overall offensive struggles, its safe to say that Martin, a tight end, was a failed experiment. Martin, 28, was heralded as poor man's Antonio Gates but ended up looking more like the poor man's Randy McMichael. Don't be surprised to see Miami pick a tight end on the first day of the draft, thereby hastening Martin's departure.

Justin Peelle: Solid blocking, good hands and a knack for breaking tackles to pick up first downs. Sounds like the perfect formula for a backup tight end. The 28-year-old is definitely a keeper.

Chris Liwienski: The 32-year-old helped to plug a hole at right guard, but he is definitely not part of the long-term solution. He will likely be gone in 2008.

L.J. Shelton: The jury is still out on the 31-year-old. He's been adequate but far from spectacular. His price tag might prove to be his undoing this offseason.

Jay Feely: The 31-year-old kicker was by far the best free agent signing of 2007. Feely has converted an astounding 90.9 percent of his field goal attempts and should definitely be back in 2008.

Tomorrow, we'll run through the defensive veterans.

RealFootball365: All day, every day.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (4)

About Hugo Guzman

Co-founder of RealFootball365.com. Born in Argentina, of Dominican descent, living in Hoboken, but from Miami through and ...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report
CommentsComments: 4  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Dave		11:24 AM
12/19/2007
How about the Offensive line? I don't think they have completed the picture there yet. Another year might help the current group ...
No.2
Alex Guzman		01:35 PM
12/19/2007
Breaking news! Per Arthur Blank, Bill Parcells has turned down the Falcons' offer and is considering a revised offer from your ...
No.3
rai		08:36 PM
12/19/2007
Miami should not hire Parcells as its GM or VP of Football Operations. He hasn't done much over the past decade and has a history ...
Team News  |  View All Dolphins Content
Dolphins Ginn in New York ...
Returning a kickoff for a touchdown is a very rare thing in the NFL. W ...
4 months, 2 weeks ago   |   Dolphins Ginn in New York ( 1 )
Attacking The Wildcat ...
The very name “Wildcat” seems to bring with it a pulse quickening unli ...
4 months, 2 weeks ago   |   Attacking The Wildcat ( 1 )
For Dolphins, Fast Starts Ar ...
Every good coach knows the best way to beat a high-powered offense is ...
4 months, 2 weeks ago   |   For Dolphins, Fast Starts Aren’t Enough ( 1 )
Dolphins vs. Saints Sunday N ...
Here are some random observations from Sunday afternoon's debacle, whi ...
4 months, 3 weeks ago   |   Dolphins vs. Saints Sunday Night Observations ( 3 )
Top 5 reasons for Dolphins o ...
On Monday night, the Miami Dolphins delivered one of their most electr ...
5 months ago   |   Top 5 reasons for Dolphins optimism ( 5 )