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Miami Dolphins
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:53 p.m.
* compensatory pick
QB - Dan Marino had his ups and downs last season, but returns for another season. Marino and Head Caoch Jimmy Johnson didn't always see eye to eye last season, and expect Johnson to have Marino on a very short leash this season. They have re-signed Johnson favorite Craig Erickson, and you better believe he won't hesitate yanking Marino if he struggles early. In Marino's defense, he played behind an aging OL, with no run game... Erickson would not have fared any better. #3 QB Damon Huard has good size and arm strength, but is still developing.
RB - Very interesting position to watch in the draft. There is a lot of speculation the Dolphins will go with an RB in the 1st Rd. Johnson is not sold on Karim Abdul Jabbar, or the much maligned Lawrence Phillips. Jabbar is coming off a shaky season, that saw him avg. less than 3.4 yds. per carry for much of the season. Jabbar is not the type of runner who is going to create his own space, and the OL didn't open up many holes for him. If they draft a RB, they will have a solid group... however, it won't matter if the OL doesn't play much better.
WR - A lot of bodies, but not enough production last season. This unit was hit hard by the loss of rookie WR Yatil Green on the first day of training camp. Green was being counted on as their big play guy. Without him, they didn't have a WR who could stretch the defense. #1 WR O.J. McDuffie is much better as a complimentary WR... he drops too many balls to be counted on as a go-to guy. Brett Perriman joined the team at midseason, but was still bothered by his knee. Perriman also had trouble reacting to QB Marino's adjustments, and they were never really on the same page. With a year playing with Marino, Perriman could have a big year. They have a lot of depth at WR, but consistency has been a problem. May go for another WR in the middle Rds.
TE - Have a solid one in Troy Drayton, but they don't use him nearly enough... one week he is catching 6 balls, and the next they don't even look in his direction... he is a big athletic target, and needs to be involved on a weekly basis. Drayton doesn't have great practice habits (A Johnson no-no), which keeps him out of the gameplan from time to time. Backup TE Ed Perry was a late pick the Dolphins hit on... he showed exc. versatility as a rookie, playing TE and some FB. Perr also has exc. AA, and should see more playing time in the upcoming season. #3 TE Frank Wainright is mostly just a LS. The only thing missing is a big blocking type TE.
OL - Really showed their age last season... All Pro LT Richmond Webb is almost out of gas... he has lost some of quicks, and is struggling to get in good position in the run game... he has never been a power player. Johnson likes LG Jeff Buckey, but he isn't very physical, and contributed to their inability to run the football. OC Tim Ruddy really struggles when they put a guy on his nose... help is on the way though. They signed FA RG Kevin Donnalley, and he should help their run woes. He is a big wide body guy that is tough to move when he gets locked on at the POA. Other than Donnalley, this whole unit could use upgrading. Depth is big concern... need help in the draft.
DL - Played decent, but really had problems finding a consistent pass rush. They got really thin after DE Daniel Stubbs was lost with an achilles injury early in the season. Rookie Jason Taylor was their best pass rush guy, but he missed some time with injury at midseaon, and wasn't the same player when he returned. Taylor is also a bit undersized, and was not real dominant vs. the run. The inside duo of DT's Tim Bowens and Daryl Gardener can be solid when they want to be, but they underachieve at times. Need big time help at DE... their secondary played beyond expectations last season, especially without any consistent pressure up front. Will look for a speed DE in the draft.
LB - Solid unit led by MLB Zach Thomas. Thomas bounced back from a leg injury early, to put together another decent year. He also wore down late, as teams figured out how to slow him down. He's undersized, and has a lot of problems when FB's/OL can get to him. He's got dec. SA quicks. They have to find a way to keep him protected within the system. OLB's Anthony Harris and rookie Derrick Rodgers played above expectations. Rodgers was a DE in college, but showed good versatility adjusting to the OLB spot... He will be a complete player when he improves in coverage.. Have a lot of depth here, not a huge concern in the draft.
DB - Found their leadership when they inked FA FS Brock Marion to a deal,,, Marion is one of the best DS's in the NFL, and should have an immediate impact on a unit that played better than expected in 1997. DC Terrell Buckley is coming off one of his most consistent seasons... his big plays were down, but so were the big plays given up. If Sam Madison continues to develop, they have a solid core of guys. Will likely add a DC in the draft that will fit into their nickle package.
ST - PT John Kidd spent most of last season injured, and was signed away as a FA... Klaus Wilmsmeyer will get another shot. Wilmsmeyer was the PT in New Orleans 2 years ago... Olinda Mare is coming off a solid season, but wasn't tested often enough from outside of 40 yds. Need to upgrade the return units... used a lot of different people, but all were avg. They lack a guy that can be strictly used in the role of RS.
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