MIAMI DOLPHINS
This time last year, there was probably no non-quarterback under more scrutiny than Ndamukong Suh. He had just reeled in a $114-million contract with $60 million guaranteed — the largest ever for a non-quarterback — and was supposed to take an already-solid Dolphins defense another step.
For one season, at least, the critics and doubts were proven right. Miami’s defense ranked 25th in the NFL while allowing 376.2 yards per game. Suh wasn’t even chosen for the Pro Bowl after back-to-back first-team All-Pro seasons. The Dolphins were bad enough that they fired their head coach after just four games.
It will take more than just Suh returning to form to save Miami. A resurgence for the defensive tackle, though, would be a logical starting point. It only took a few days of training camp for new head coach Adam Gase to see the potential.
“We keep seeing, especially from the interior guys, we keep seeing that penetration,” the first-year head coach told reporters in July. “More times than not you see Suh really causing havoc.”
It’s possible Suh wasn’t as bad last year as fan and media voters believed, anyway. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked Suh as the 27th best player in the NFL last season because of his prowess as a pass-rusher. Suh surpassed 1,000 snaps for the first time in his career while recording 60 pressures and batting down five passes.
PFF ultimately placed Suh as the No. 3 pass-rushing defensive lineman in the NFL. The only two ahead of him were J.J. Watt and Aaron Donald.
DB to Watch
Reshad Jones
Jones broke through to stardom last season and transformed into arguably the best free safety in the game. He hauled in five interceptions, returned two for touchdowns and was a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career. He has the speed to wreak havoc against opposing quarterbacks with the physicality to assist in run support. He recorded a pair of sacks and finished the year with 106 tackles.
Impact newcomer
Arian Foster, RB
After the departure of Lamar Miller this offseason, the Dolphins have been forced into a running-back-by-committee approach. Foster gives them a proven, experienced option to potentially shoulder the load if he's healthy. The tailback played in only four games last year after rushing for 1,246 yards the year before.
At a glance
Herald’s forecast: 7-9
With a new head coach, the Dolphins are in for a bit of a rebuild. Ryan Tannehill has regressed, the Miami defense has regressed and the Dolphins lost basically all their most talented skill players. Miami began its rebuilding effort with a good Draft, snagging offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil after his tumble, but it’s going to take more than one offseason to restock the talent in Miami Gardens.
Head coach: Adam Gase, first year with the Dolphins
Deep at: Secondary
The Dolphins will have to win with defense and the secondary is Miami's most reliable unit. New safety Reshad Jones should step into a starting role and Byron Maxwell should fill a starting cornerback spot. A bounce-back season from Maxwell is crucial after his underwhelming single season with the Eagles.
Thin at: Wide receiver
Jarvis Landry emerged as one of the NFL's more underrated wide receivers last year, but there's not much around him. Greg Jennings retired. Rishard Matthews signed with the Titans. Kenny Stills needs to prove he can be a competent No. 2 receiver without Drew Brees throwing him the ball.
2016 schedule
All games at 1 p.m. unless noted
* AFC East division game
Sept. 11 | @ Seattle, 4:05 p.m. |
Sept. 18 | @ New England* |
Sept. 25 | Cleveland |
Sept. 29 | @ Cincinnati, 8:25 p.m. |
Oct. 9 | Tennessee |
Oct. 16 | Pittsburgh |
Oct. 23 | Buffalo* |
Nov. 6 | N.Y. Jets* |
Nov. 13 | @ San Diego, 4:05 p.m. |
Nov. 20 | @ Los Angeles, 4:05 p.m. |
Nov. 27 | San Francisco |
Dec. 4 | @ Baltimore |
Dec. 11 | Arizona |
Dec. 17 | @ N.Y. Jets*, 8:25 p.m. |
Dec. 24 | @ Buffalo* |
Jan. 1 | New England* |
2015 results
At Washington W, 17-10 |
At Jacksonville L, 23-20 |
Buffalo L, 41-14 |
N.Y. Jets L, 27-14 |
At Tennessee W, 38-10 |
Houston W, 44-26 |
At New England L, 36-7 |
At Buffalo L, 33-17 |
At Philadelphia W, 20-19 |
Dallas L, 24-14 |
At N.Y. Jets L, 38-20 |
Baltimore W, 15-13 |
N.Y. Giants L, 31-24 |
At San Diego L, 30-14 |
Indianapolis L, 18-12 |
New England W, 20-10 |
This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 5:17 PM with the headline "MIAMI DOLPHINS."