10 players Miami Dolphins need for playoff run

Nov 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Miami Dolphins punter Brandon Fields (2) holds the ball as kicker Caleb Sturgis (9) kicks a field goal during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Detroit won 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

CALEB STURGIS

There is no guarantee that Sturgis will win the job from rookie Andrew Franks but last weekend for the 2nd weekend in a row, it was Sturgis getting the field goal practice in pre-season. If Sturgis, or for that matter Franks, lines up as the teams kicker there is no question that he can win or lose a game for the Dolphins.

Miami has a tendency to falter in the red zone and while they have worked hard to rectify that problem the fact remains that the kicker is going to be a big part of the teams success. Sturgis hasn’t handled pressure well. He is far too inconsistent with his field goals and his kick-offs are atrocious for a guy billed as having a big leg. Thus far we haven’t seen it.

In pre-season game one against the Chicago Bears, Sturgis kicked off out of bounds and we have seen him do this before. Always at the wrong time. He simply can’t boot the ball out of the end zone and that allows opposing teams the opportunity for good run backs.

This year Sturgis needs to tighten his game on all levels as the Dolphins are going to need him each and every week. If the Dolphins find away to put touchdowns on the board with their red zone opportunities, it will fall on Sturgis to se the defense up, if they falter it will be Sturgis to clean it up. So far we haven’t seen anything from him that resembles a player you can rely on.

Unfortunately, the Dolphins do have to rely on him and he could be just as important as Ryan Tannehill to putting points on the board. If he can’t make those kicks, the Dolphins will need to replace him in season…if in fact he makes the team.