Miami Dolphins MVP At This Point In The Season
By Eric Roddy
Nov. 15, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins punter Brandon Fields (2) punts the ball from the end zone during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-US PRESSWIRE
At the moment, the Dolphins have faced a lot of criticism for their sudden downfall the past three weeks. They are a young team, and young teams struggle and have weeks where they don’t play their best. It’s how football works. However, this article is not another bashing of the Dolphins for their struggles of the past three weeks or their lack of motivation or effort. Instead, I would like to stay positive and take a look at the players on this football team that have performed at a high level consistently all season long. Here are my Miami Dolphin MVP’s at this point in the season.
1. Cameron Wake, DE – Wake is a sack master, and has shown those who doubted him that hard work does pay off in the NFL. After going undrafted in 2005, Wake played two years for the CFL for the BC Lions. In 2009, the Fins gave Wake a shot, and looking back now, I’d say they were glad they did. Wake has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks since he first put on teal and orange, and this season has been no exception. Wake ranks 4th in the NFL in sacks with 9.5 (1 behind leader J.J. Watt), and ranks 3rd in the AFC in sacks. Cam has also added 1 forced fumble, and 34 total tackles. He is constantly being double covered, which gives other members of the defensive line sack opportunities .Wake is constantly the reason for multiple holding and offside penalties on opposing offensive linemen.
2. Brandon Fields, P – Fields has been a life saver for Miami all year long, keeping opposing offenses deep in their own territory and giving Miami’s defense an advantage. So far this season, one of the highlights of this Fins team has been their amazing special teams play (they outscored the Jets by themselves), and Fields has been a big part of that. He is 3rd in the league with 2602 total yards and tied for 1st in punt average (51.0). Fields is on his way to the Pro Bowl this year and has quietly been Miami’s most consistent player.
3. Ryan Tannehill, QB – I am sure some people will disagree with me on this decision, but I believe Tannehill has been worthy of Miami’s MVP award not because of his stats, but because of his leadership. Tannehill came in to the NFL with considerably fewer starts at QB in college than all other rookie quarterbacks. After a rough appearance on HBO’s Hard Knocks, many experts projected Miami to be the laughing stock of the NFL (and many had the Chiefs winning the AFC West, HA!). Tannehill ignored the negative criticism and has lead this Miami team to a respectable season so far. He is already much better than when he started the season, and aside from the Texans and Titans games, he has played great. With two Dan Carpenter field goals and a Sean Smith interception, Tannehill could have had his team at 7-1 going into the Titans game. His confidence and poise at such a young age makes him one of the most valuable players on the team, and I look forward to seeing what he can do for the Fins in the future.
Coach Philbin has done great with the talent on the current Miami roster. The Dolphins have 9 draft picks in the 2013 NFL draft (the most in the league), and should look to bolster the secondary and add weapons for Tannehill. The players listed above have played great for the Fins, and they are by no means the only players on the team worthy of MVP honors. In my opinion, they are the players who have played consistent football so far this year and have exemplified great leadership.
Honorable Mention for Dolphins’ MVP: Reshad Jones, S. Randy Starks , DL. Joe Philbin, HC. Mike Pouncey, C.
Fins fans, who do you think is the MVP of the Dolphins so far this year?