Obviously, going from an abysmal 1-15 to 11-6 and AFC East Champions was quite the storybook turnaround. But, it wasn't enough, and the team still has a long way to go before it can compete with the AFC powerhouses like the Steelers and the Ravens.
So, here's what I'm proposing the Dolphins need for next year:
OFFENSE
Wide receiver: This team needs a big, strong athletic type receiver to draw a double team once in awhile and give opposing defenses someone to worry about. Yes, Tedd Ginn is promising while Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo have show they can be reliable, but the team is desperate for more of a play maker.
Offensive Line: Jake Long and Justin Smiley are both good starters on the left side. The center, Samson Satele, is decent, and the team could use somebody a little stronger to shore up that inside running game. Miami didn't run the ball well from the base formations this year, as the Wildcat was largely responsible for the success of the running game, and even that formation seemed to be losing a bit of its luster at the end of the year.
DEFENSE
Defensive End: Vonnie Holliday is good, but not that good. He's getting and didn't make too many big plays this year. Kendall Langford and Philip Merling will be entering their second years, so it's tough to tell what kind of an impact they are going to make. I'd say the Dolphins need to bring in a solid, veteran pass-rushing defensive end to at least hold down the fort while Langford and Merling have a little more time to develop.
Linebackers: Need here is an inside linebacker capable of making some plays. Channing Crowder had a good year tackle-wise, but didn't do much of anything when it came to forcing turnovers. Crowder is a free agent, so here's to hoping the Dolphins let him walk and go after somebody better.
Cornerback: Will Allen is almost as solid as they come, even though his stats don't always show it. He's definitely overmatched by some of the bigger receivers in the game, but so is everybody else. Andre Goodman led the team in picks this year with five, but I still think the fish could use an upgrade there. Goodman would be an excellent nickel back, however.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Rookie kicker Dan Carpenter proved to be an excellent signing, and the punter, Brandon Fields, had a good season as well. Perhaps Sparano will allow Patrick Cobbs to return kicks next year, as the explosiveness he showed towards the end of the year was far more than anyone had seen out of Ginn all season. And, of course, the coverage units could use a little beefing up.
So, what do you think the Dolphins major areas of concern are for the 2009-10 season? And, who's out there via free agency or the draft that you think could fill those needs?
