Monday, July 24, 2006
Can Revamped Dolphins Make a Splash?
Miami ran off six straight wins to end their 9-7 season last year. Momentum? Apparently not — the Dolphins have turned over approximately one-third of their roster in an attempt to mix things up and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
The Miami Dolphins enter training camp on July 28th with new potential — potential for greatness or disaster. The Dolphins arguably made more dramatic offseason moves than any other NFL team.
Not settling for mediocrity, head coach Nick Saban showed his willingness to take some risks by making big changes in the pursuit of improving Miami's chances of getting to the Super Bowl. The jury is out on how those moves will work out for them. At the top of the list of those roster moves is the quarterback position.
So often in the NFL, as the quarterback goes, so goes the team. Poor play at the quarterback position is a recipe for mediocrity.
The acquisition of Daunte Culpepper from Minnesota was a bold move indeed. Costing Miami a paltry second-round draft choice, fans expectations are high for the standout quarterback. However, the harsh reality is that Culpepper is rehabilitating from a major injury of three torn knee ligaments sustained October 30th of last year against Carolina.
Recovery for this injury typically takes at least 12 months, but Culpepper seems bent on beating that timetable. All reports thus far have been positive. A workmanlike approach to his rehab have many speculating that Culpepper will be ready for the season opener against Pittsburgh September 7th. His progress in mini-camp was evidenced by several impromptu scrambles that showed the extra dimension that Culpepper's game brings to the team.
Miami released last year's starter, Gus Frerotte, and in addition to Culpepper, they acquired Joey Harrington. Harrington has never proven himself in Detroit, but he does have NFL starting experience. The combination of the recovering Culpepper and the unproven Harrington provides one of the most interesting quarterback storylines in the NFL.
Even if Culpepper fully recovers from his serious injury, greatness is not assured. Prior to the injury in 2005, Culpepper's stats were unimpressive. He posted 6 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in Minnesota's two wins and five losses. The departure of Randy Moss to Oakland may have revealed Culpepper's reliance on Moss to elevate his game. Chris Chambers has potential to provide a big-play threat for Culpepper, but that chemistry may take time to develop.
And if Culpepper is unable to start the season, what are the Vegas odds on Harrington leading the team to a great start? Slim to none. Harrington showed flashes of brilliance while with the Detroit Lions, but his erratic play resulted in being benched for four games in 2005. His career touchdown to interception ratio of 60:62 is not the stuff legends are made of.
A chance at a fresh start has Harrington motivated to prove that he was worthy of the third overall pick in the 2002 draft. If needed to start the season, he does bring NFL starting quarterback experience to the table. A more run-oriented offense featuring Ronnie Brown could give Harrington a chance to keep things afloat while Culpepper completes his rehab.
Training camp will shed more light on whether Miami's gamble will result in postseason glory or another frustrating season for the Dolphins. Many will be rooting for the successful comebacks of two quarterbacks attempting to overcome the odds against them.
Todd Beckstead is founder of MonsterDraft.com, a fantasy football draft resource.