5 Bold Predictions for Miami Dolphins
The NFL offseason is a magical time of year where fans can let their imaginations run wild. Optimism is at an all time high. “This is our year” is the predominant phrase of choice. The pain of the previous season is all but forgotten. Its June, football season is right around the corner. In that spirit, here are my top five bold predictions for the 2015 Miami Dolphins.
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1: Finish with a top 3 total defense: An improvement on defense seems like a pretty obvious prediction so in order to fit the “bold” mantra, I predict the Dolphins will finish this season ranked in the top three in total defense. Also no secret is where the defensive unit will improve most. I fully expect the revamped Dolphins defensive line to compete with Houston’s as the very best in the NFL. The defensive line is going to make the rest of the defense much better. Coverage players will not have to cover as long per play. Linebackers will be more effective in stuffing the run with Ndamukong Suh commanding a double team on every play.
2: Olivier Vernon will rack up 20 sacks: OV has been solid since being drafted out of the University of Miami. He had his most productive season last year accounting for 6.5 sacks. The combination of Wake and Vernon proved to be a successful one. Combined, they tallied 18 sacks. Adding Ndamukong Suh to that unit will only inflate those numbers. Teams will be forced to double team Suh and either Wake or Vernon. I anticipate Wake getting the other double team. For that reason, this season will be Vernon’s to thrive and thrive he will. I predict his name being mentioned among the league leaders in sacks. Justin Houston of the Chiefs led the league with 22 last year. Twenty would put Vernon third right behind Houston(22) and J.J. Watt (20.5). Most importantly it means the Dolphins would be sporting one of the most disruptive lines in the league and when you play in a division that just so happens to include Tom Brady, a disruptive line is exactly what the doctor ordered.
3: Lamar Miller will amass 1300 yards and 10 touchdowns: Who was the last special back the Dolphins have had? Ricky Williams pre-retirement comes to mind. Ronnie Brown, maybe? Lamar Miller is just that. Lamar eclipsed 1000 yards by averaging an eye-popping 5.1 yards per carry last season. It was his first year as the ‘Phins featured back. He’s shown improvement every year as a pro and next year should be no different. 1300 yards and 10 touchdowns may seem like an inflated number but it’s the most modest of my five predictions. Those numbers are only 201 yards and 2 touchdowns more than he had in ’14. After turning in such a successful ’14 and with confidence soaring, Lamar should have no trouble surpassing my prediction.
4: Ryan Tannehill will have a completion percentage higher than 70%: Like Lamar Miller, Ryan Tannehill has also gotten better every year as a pro. Year four should be no different. Tannehill completed 66% of his passes last year and that’s up from 60% in 2013 and 58% in 2012. Aside from his knack to improve, Tannehill will also be wielding weapons more suited for his game this season. All his targets are possession type guys. They have good size, good range, and strong hands. This receiving core will help him increase an already decent completion percentage. Another variable that will certainly boost those numbers is his familiarity with the offense. He’s in his second year in Bill Lazor’s offense and will certainly have a much better understanding of it.
5: Win the Division: Number five is contingent on the first four coming to fruition. If the Dolphins have a top three defensive unit, a player among the league leaders in sacks, a 1300 yard and 10 touchdown running back, and a quarterback completing 70% of his passes there is no way the Dolphins don’t take the AFC East crown. Seems like a snowballs chance right? Not necessarily, Miami posted an 8-8 record last season without achieving anything on my list; letting three heartbreaking games slip away in the final moments (Den, GB, Det). They were three plays away from an 11-5 record. 11-5 would’ve put them one game behind the Patriots with whom they split the season series with. As it stands, the Pats will be without Tom Brady for the first four games. With all those things falling into place, it is bold but not unrealistic to think the Dolphins win the division.