The Miami Dolphins do enough in the off season to win the AFC East? The Miami Dolphins in-depth analysis of the free agents signed and players lost for the 2014 NFL season. Will these additions help The Miami Dolphins turn around their 2013 season and win the AFC East in 2014?
The Miami Dolphins finished the 2013 season with an 8-8 record. It could have easily been an 11-5 season if a few lucky breaks fell their way. Ryan Tannehill was under pressure all year and it's a miracle he survived the season. A big reason why Tannehill was the most sacked QB in the NFL, was the bully-gate scandal which eliminated two offensive linemen from playing most of the season. That lack of protection impacted WR Mike Wallace's production as Tannehill didn't have the time to find him deep down the field often settling for check-down targets instead. This impacted the weekly game plan, as Coach Joe Philbin had to change each week's strategy to try and mitigate not having a functioning offensive line they could trust. GM Dennis Hickey did an amazing job on draft day and filled the holes he needed after making some serious signings on draft day. Read my article, 2014 Miami Dolphins NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis and see why I think he had an amazing day.
Impact Players signed
The big free agent signings were OT Branden Albert and Guard Shelley Smith. He asslo added some depth on the offensive line signing T Jason Fox. Those two players should fix the offensive line and get Tannehill the protection he needs. He added two WRs, Kevin Cone and Damian Williams and they should make for a few targets a game and stretch the field. GM Hickey also strengthened his secondary and added some depth with veteran Cortland Finnegan, FS Louis Delmas and DB Anthony Gaitor. Hickey also signed Denver Bronco breakout RB Knowshon Moreno and all are going to wonder if he was a one hit wonder and part of the offensive success of the Broncos. If he plays like last year, he is a stud signing and will immediately upgrade the Dolphins running game.
Players lost in the off season to other teams
- Nolan Carroll, CB--4th season, signed by The Philadelphia Eagles
- Chris Clemons, SS--5th season, signed by The Houston Texans
- John Jerry, G--4th season, signed by The New York Giants
- Jorvorskie Lane, FB--2nd season, signed by The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Vaughn Martin, DE--5th season, signed by The Detroit Lions
- Chris Owens, CB--5th season, signed by The Kansas City Chiefs
- Dimitri Patterson, CB--7th season, signed by The New York Jets
- Paul Soliai, DT--7th season, signed by The Atlanta Falcons
- R.J. Stanford, DB--3rd season, signed by The Cincinnati Bengals
- Jason Weaver, OL--Rookie, signed by The New Orleans Saints
Players signed in free agency from other teams
- Branden Albert, T--6th season, signed from The Kansas City Chiefs
- Kevin Cone, WR--3rd season, signed from The Atlanta Falcons
- Louis Delmas, FS--5th season, signed from The Detroit Lions
- Cortland Finnegan, CB--8th season, signed from The St. Louis Rams
- Jason Fox, T--4th season, signed from The Detroit Lions
- Anthony Gaitor, DB--4th season, signed from The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Earl Mitchell, NT--4th season, signed from The Houston Texans
- Knowshon Moreno, RB--5th season, signed from The Denver Broncos
- Shelley Smith, G--4th season, signed from The St. Louis Rams
- Damian Williams, WR--4th season, signed from The Tennessee Titans
Can The Miami Dolphins make it to the playoffs in 2014?
I think the answer is Yes. But I also know that the Jets and New England improved their rosters. Beating New England's secondary will take imagination and the Dolphins will have to be able to run the ball to beat the Patriots. Playing the Jets, they will need to change gears and Tannehill has to make plays and make the Jets corners play big to win, which I don't think can happen. I do think Miami has a beast of a team that went down the “circus path” last year and if they put that nonsense behind them, I think they can take 1st place in the AFC East.
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