The 2012 Miami Dolphins are trying to build around a single player. Like most organizations, it is around the quarterback. The Dolphins number 1 draft pick in the 2012 Draft was Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill, who was a wide receiver a couple years ago, is going to fit right in with the offense in Miami. The offensive coordinator of the Dolphins is the same coach Tannehill had at Texas A&M, so Mike Sherman will ease the franchise QB into his starting position.
It will be a rebuilding process for the team in Southern Florida. They have during this off season gotten rid of their best receiver, Brandon Marshall. He was traded to join his former teammate Jay Cutler in Chicago. This week they also traded their best cornerback Vontae Davis to the Colts. New first time head coach Joe Philbin, who comes from the high power offense in Green Bay, will struggle at first but has confidence in his young team.
This preseason has not been the way to start for Philbin. After Tuesday’s lost to the Dallas Cowboys, it was only the third time in the organizations franchise to finish the preseason winless. The preseason was still a good learning process for Tannehill and his young teammates.Reggie Bush is flying under the radar entering his 7th season in the NFL. He had his best season in 2011. Bush, for the first time in his NFL career, ran for over 1,000 yards. His goal this season is to be the leading rusher in the NFL. That is a tough goal to accomplish, but coming out of USC, everybody thought Bush was going to be a league leader. Reggie Bush will see all the teams he competes against stack the box with eight men to stop him. Bill Belichick, Rex Ryan and all the other head coaches will make Ryan Tannehill beat them. This season is a great test for Bush, who was the 2nd overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL draft.
The Dolphins do have one piece that all teams wish they could have to protect their franchise quarterback – a Pro Bowl left tackle. Jake Long will need to protect Tannehill’s blind side and buy him time to find all his receiving options. He has to help a young offensive line. Starting at right tackle is rookie Jonathan Martin from Stanford and second year center Mike Pouncey. This unit will have to do its job to give the Dolphins any chance to possibly make the playoffs.
The defense is led by linebacker Karlos Dansby and defensive end Cameron Wake. The two players are great corner stones for this team. They can get to the quarterback. Any team that can put pressure on the play caller has a chance to find success in the NFL. Wake already in his first 3 seasons has 28 sacks including one season when he had 14.
On September 9th at 1pm against the Houston Texans, we will see what the 2012 Miami Dolphins can bring to the table. Even if this team is not a playoff team, it can still make it tough for the playoff contenders on their schedule. It will be a learning process for the Philbin-led team, but what we have seen on HBO’s Hard Knocks he is ready to take all challenges.
