As a result, head coach Dave Wannstedt, whose butt was already on the hot seat, will be forced to enter the season with an offense that is seriously depleted at the skill positions. A new quarterback was brought in to battle the incumbent starter, but there’s been no indication thus far that he will be an upgrade or even win the starting job. And now that the list of weapons at their disposal has been shortened significantly, the prospects of either being hugely successful is extremely remote.
Quarterback
With the acquisition of A.J. Feeley, which cost them a second-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the Dolphins were hoping to find a player that could push, and perhaps unseat starter Jay Fiedler, who is adequate at best. Feeley has filled in nicely for Donovan McNabb in the past, but he has just five career starts under his belt and is very inexperienced.
Feeley is the more athletic of the two, and he possesses the stronger arm, but with the loss of their best running back, the Dolphins coaches may feel the veteran Fiedler gives them a better chance of winning this year; something they may need to do to save their jobs. However, Wannstedt has indicated that he may hold off naming a starter until the week before the season opener.
Developmental prospect Sage Rosenfels will fill the No. 3 role this year, and it’s unlikely he will see much action unless the Dolphins string of bad luck continues.
Running Backs
The loss of Williams was a tremendous blow to this football team. He was never a clubhouse leader, but he was the workhorse on offense, and without him, players are going to be forced into unfamiliar roles. Unless the Dolphins make a move before the season begins, it appears Travis Minor will take over starting duties.
Minor is elusive and has the speed to get to the outside, but he lacks the size to pound the ball up the middle, the way the Dolphins used Williams, and is a better fit as a third-down back. Sammy Morris has the size and has looked somewhat impressive in training camp, but he lacks the explosiveness to get to the next level and appears to be more effective when used in spot duty. He is probably better suited for the backup role. No. 3 back Leonard Henry could see more time in short-yardage and goal-line situations in Williams’ absence.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Miami had hoped the addition of Boston would draw some double teams away from Chris Chambers, but now it appears Chambers will continue to be the focus of opposing secondaries this season. He has good speed and athleticism to go along with a great pair of hands, but he doesn’t go across the middle as well as Boston and he has had some problems staying healthy.
Derrius Thompson, who was disappointing last year, will move back into a starting role where he managed just 26 receptions. To further complicate things, Kendall Newson, who appeared to have the inside track to fill the slot, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the Dolphins first preseason game. And all that is remaining behind him on the bench is Terrence Wilkins, who didn’t play in 2003, to go along with the inexperienced Sam Simmons and J.R. Tolver, which is why the Dolphins recently signed veteran Antonio Freeman. The 32-year-old receiver will likely bring some relief to this ravaged corps, but he is far beyond his prime and has posted just 60 receptions over the past two years.
Randy McMichael is scheduled to start again at tight end this season, and he has great receiving skills, but off-field issues could cause him to miss some playing time. Donald Lee, who is a decent blocker with the potential to be a quality receiver, is penciled in at No. 2.
