After a late-season surge to finish 9-7, the Dolphins, under second-year head coach Nick Saban, look to give the perennial division-winning New England Patriots some stiff competition, especially after a strong free agency and draft haul.
Their offensive line was overhauled with the additions of tackles L.J. Shelton and Mike Pearson, guard Bennie Anderson, and the drafting of OT Joe Toledo. The secondary saw a huge boost with corners Will Allen and Andre Goodman as well as safety Deke Cooper, and they brought in two quality CB/S swingmen in Renaldo Hill and first-round pick Jason Allen.
Their receiving unit got a speed boost in Kelly Campbell and third-round pick Derek Hagan, and they got much-needed depth at TE with the additions of Keith Heinrich and Josh Peele.
The biggest coup of them all, however, is very likely the trade for former All-Pro QB Daunte Culpepper, fomerly of Minnesota. Culpepper seemed to no longer be welcomed in Minnesota, even though it looked as though his rehab from a virtually shredded knee was progressing very well, so the Dolphins were able to wrest him away for just a second-round draft pick. His rehab continues to progress well, and it looks very likely that he will be ready for the season opener.
As a backup plan, the Dolphins also acquired former Detroit Lions starter Joey Harrington, who had been a huge disappointment in Detroit, but looks to be joining an offense that suits him better in Miami.
The Dolphins cut a number of players loose and decided to not retain some free agents, but none of the losses are very significant outside of CB Sam Madison, a longtime starter in Miami's secondary.
And now, a breakdown of the 2006 Miami Dolphins:
Offense
Quarterback: Daunte Culpepper looks like he's made a miraculously fast comeback from a devastating knee injury in late October of last season, and it currently appears that, barring setbacks, he will be at the helm for Miami come the season opener. There are questions about him, however, especially considering how poorly he was playing before the knee injury ended his season.
His ability to read a defense, a critical trait in offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey's offense, is considered to be nearly non-existent. And his ability to scramble, long a major part of his game and success, is in serious doubt given the severity of his injury and how similar injuries have affected scrambling quarterbacks in the past. If Culpepper struggles, expect Saban to pull him quickly in favor of Joey Harrington, who by reports seems to be gelling well with his new offense.
Running Back and Fullback: The loss of Ricky Williams to suspension will hurt, but Ronnie Brown looks ready to shoulder the load. He's an incredibly multi-talented and very talented runner, who can bring it into the pile with authority, or just as easily cut outside for a long gain. He's also an exceptional, Tiki Barber-esque pass catcher and a solid blocker for a tailback.
Travis Minor and Sammy Morris look to again provide quality depth, with Minor filling a third-down and special teams role, and Morris filling the third RB/FB swingman job that he's performed so well in for the past several years between Miami and the Buffalo Bills.
At fullback, Fred Beasley was brought in from San Francisco and seems very comfortable in an offense that generally lets the fullback choose his hole in a lead-blocking role. Darian Barnes played decently as Miami's fullback for much of last year, and will back up Beasley and learn from one of the best in the business.
Wide Receiver and Tight End: The 'Phins have a solid and intriguing receiving corps. No. 1 receiver Chris Chambers can easily be seen as a poor man's Randy Moss (which bodes well for him, given how strong the Culpepper-Moss connection was in Minnesota), with his long reach, excellent leaping ability, and extremely deceptive speed. Marty Booker figures to start across from Chambers again, bringing his solid pair of hands and excellent route-running to the equation, and will likely be utilized as a deadly weapon in intermediate routes, a role he enjoyed his best successes in with Chicago.