Few contending teams enter the 2004 season with as many question marks as Miami. The Dolphins have finished 10-6, 9-7 & 10-6 the L3Ys and have just one playoff appearance (a loss) to show for it. And the Atlantic Coast team did not have a pacific offseason. HC Dave Wannstedt barely kept his job, getting 2004 as a do-or-die campaign. Dan Marino took the top front-office post, then suddenly (and accurately) realized that life as a TV commentator was a lot more fun and a lot less grief. Wannstedt had to shuffle his coaching staff in mid-May for health-related reasons involving off. coord. Joel Collier (who moves back to RB coach). Chris Foerster, who joined the Dolphins TY from Indy as the Dolphin TEs coach, moves up to coordinator.
And players were making a few waves, too. A reported second positive "substance" test for Ricky Williams and his sudden, dramatic retirement from the NFL just before camp opened. A DUI conviction for rookie CB Will Poole. A public battle for an improved contract initiated by DE Adewale Ogunleye (2nd in the NFL in sacks LY with 15½).
Most importantly, there are questions on the field, where the Dolphins slipped to 24th in offense (17th in rushing...and that was WITH Williams), negating some of the positives accomplished by its defense, which finished 10th overall and 5th vs. the run, with 44 sacks & 36 takeaways. QB Jay Fiedler missed 4 games with a sprained knee and slipped to 11 TDs vs. 13 interceptions. Backup Brian Griese (now T.B.) was less than expected. The OL disappointed, and Ricky Williams wore down on 392 carries (no wonder he wanted out), gaining only 1372 YR & 3.5 ypc compared with 1853 & 4.8 in 2003. The defense failed several times in the clutch, and the addition of Junior Seau (3 sacks, no ints.) didn't put that unit "over the top" as many predicted. Changes obviously were in the offing.
Those changes start with the acquisition of lightly experienced QB A.J. Feeley (5 career starts) from Philly, and he will be given every opportunity to unseat Fiedler. Next was the addition of big WR David Boston (240 pounds), a personnel problem dumped first by Arizona, then S.D. He says he's re-dedicated himself. And there's the big turnover in the OL (4 new starters TY), with Wannstedt (like buddy Jimmy Johnson before him) saying he'd rather go with talented young guys with desire than more experienced players who are mediocre. And where are they going to find another back like Williams?
Bottom Line--Miami plays all of its divisional road games before Nov. 2 TY, so there's room for a wildcard run IF the new OL & Fiedler/Feeley come through. Miami was "over" 5 of 8 at home LY, after going "under" 20 of 26 the previous 3Ys!
Exhbition Notes: Wannstedt is a good preseason dog (4-1-2), but is often disappointing as a favorite (2-7-1) & at home (2-5-1).
And players were making a few waves, too. A reported second positive "substance" test for Ricky Williams and his sudden, dramatic retirement from the NFL just before camp opened. A DUI conviction for rookie CB Will Poole. A public battle for an improved contract initiated by DE Adewale Ogunleye (2nd in the NFL in sacks LY with 15½).
Most importantly, there are questions on the field, where the Dolphins slipped to 24th in offense (17th in rushing...and that was WITH Williams), negating some of the positives accomplished by its defense, which finished 10th overall and 5th vs. the run, with 44 sacks & 36 takeaways. QB Jay Fiedler missed 4 games with a sprained knee and slipped to 11 TDs vs. 13 interceptions. Backup Brian Griese (now T.B.) was less than expected. The OL disappointed, and Ricky Williams wore down on 392 carries (no wonder he wanted out), gaining only 1372 YR & 3.5 ypc compared with 1853 & 4.8 in 2003. The defense failed several times in the clutch, and the addition of Junior Seau (3 sacks, no ints.) didn't put that unit "over the top" as many predicted. Changes obviously were in the offing.
Those changes start with the acquisition of lightly experienced QB A.J. Feeley (5 career starts) from Philly, and he will be given every opportunity to unseat Fiedler. Next was the addition of big WR David Boston (240 pounds), a personnel problem dumped first by Arizona, then S.D. He says he's re-dedicated himself. And there's the big turnover in the OL (4 new starters TY), with Wannstedt (like buddy Jimmy Johnson before him) saying he'd rather go with talented young guys with desire than more experienced players who are mediocre. And where are they going to find another back like Williams?
Bottom Line--Miami plays all of its divisional road games before Nov. 2 TY, so there's room for a wildcard run IF the new OL & Fiedler/Feeley come through. Miami was "over" 5 of 8 at home LY, after going "under" 20 of 26 the previous 3Ys!
Exhbition Notes: Wannstedt is a good preseason dog (4-1-2), but is often disappointing as a favorite (2-7-1) & at home (2-5-1).
