2008 Miami Dolphins Defense
Dolphins Aging Defense Needs An Overhaul
A influx of talent is needed here, as the Dolphins defense and operations will see a major overhaul. Bill Parcells takes on another restoration project.
The Defense
The Miami Dolphins defense as a whole needs a drastic infusion of talent….young talent. The Dolphins couldn’t stop the run finishing last in the NFL allowing 153 yards a game. The age on the defensive line (Jason Taylor 33, Keith Traylor 38, and Vonnie Holiday 32) showed as teams rolled up the yardage as the game wore on. Jason Taylor had a remarkable year for Miami, showing true professionalism and leadership by posting double digit sacks once again, but he needs a lot of help.
Teams rarely passed on Miami causing their 4th ranking against the pass to be flawed. When teams (New England and Cleveland) chose to throw the ball, the Dolphins showed little proficiency in stopping them. Zach Thomas’ injury further added to the problems on the defensive side of the ball. A draft day trade for more picks to use on the defensive side of the ball wouldn’t be a surprise. As age catches up on Zach Thomas 35 and Jason Taylor 34 when the season starts maybe the Dolphins can trade them to a contender for possible draft picks. The front office has these two veteran chips to bargain with in their push for more talent. Last years free agent acquisition, Joey Porter battled injury, is also on the wrong side of 30, but he may have a couple of years left on his body.
Front Office
Executive Bill Parcells is building a solid foundation for the Dolphin front office by raiding his ex-staff at the Dallas Cowboys. In hiring Jeff Ireland as his GM, Brian Gaine as his assistant GM, Tony Sparano as the head coach, David Lee as the quarterbacks coach, Parcells seems determined to get guys he trusts to right the ship in Miami. The task for this group is how do we rebuild when we need help in so many areas?
They need 1st round talent on the defensive line (Glenn Dorsey) and in the secondary (Kenny Phillips), plus talent upgrades at WR, QB(has Parcells ever started a rookie QB other than Drew Bledsoe?), LB and CB. Parcells has always improved the talent level everywhere he has been, and rarely does he do it by taking the first player in the draft. Miami isn’t one player away, so the idea of trading the pick has to factor in the decision. Whatever the decision is, the Dolphins have no direction to go except up.
