32 in 32: Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins

Read the introduction here
Read the Jaguars preview here
Carolina Panthers tomorrow

2011 Record: 6-10

Key Acquisitions: David Garrard, Gary Guyton, Art Hicks, Chad Johnson, Richard Marshall, Johnathan Martin, Eric Steinbach, Ryan Tannehill
Key Departures: Yeremiah Bell (J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!), Vernon Carey, Chad Henne, Kendall Langford, Brandon Marshall

QB controversy is the major storyline here after they failed to get Peyton Manning. Brought in Chad Ochocinco and ended up with Chad Johnson, so we'll see how that plays out. Patriots are obviously winning the division, but we'll see where this team ends up. They haven't changed very significantly since last year.

Offense
I personally think that Matt Moore should be the starter for this team. I never was a huge fan of David Garrard and sitting out a year doesn't help him at all. Matt Moore went 6-6 last year as the starter and he wasn't completely terrible. Ryan Tannehill should be sitting and watching for now. He's the QB of the future and while he doesn't get a great mentor to teach him until he's ready, he needs to watch and learn for now.

Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas worked fine last year. Both have completely different styles of running and they are a good mix if they are used correctly.

They traded Brandon Marshall for seemingly no reason, and they seriously downgraded their offense. Chad Johnson isn't going to be great. He's not a #1 receiver anymore, even if he learns the offense correctly. His explosiveness seems to be fading. He's also going to be a major locker room problem because he's already admitted that he will be "getting into trouble." I like Davone Bess and Brian Hartline, but Bess shouldn't be a #2 option. Everyone knows that Legedu Naanee was only good because he played with Phillip Rivers. Eh, this group is nothing to write home about.

Anthony Fasano is a really good tight end. He's not elite, but he's a nice guy to have on a roster.

The offensive line is really good. Jake Long could be the best offensive lineman in the league, and Mike Pouncey is a really good young center. His brother is considered an elite center himself. Art Hicks, Eric Steinbach, and Richie Incognito all have established reputations as guards in the NFL. They also drafted a young tackle, Johnathan Martin, in the second round. They'll do a good job in protection.

Defense
Jared Odrick and Randy Starks are decent guys on the defensive line. Cameron Wake is this team's explosive pass rusher. Karlos Dansby seems to be the leader of this team defensively, and he commands respect with his play. Koa Misi is a nice guy to have in certain packages. This front seven is decent but not amazing. They'll probably play a good "bend but don't break" kind of defense

Wow, this secondary. Chris Clemons and Johnathan Wade look to be the best guys at the back. Nothing to see here.

Special Teams
Dan Carpenter is a pretty reliable placekicker, and Brandon Fields seems to find a way to annoy the Jets whenever they play the Fins. Reggie Bush is an explosive runner, so with him back to receive kicks will help this team.

5-11, 4th in AFC East