The new faces of the Miami Dolphins could be of immediate benefit

With the addition of players such as Frank Gore, Danny Amendola, Robert Quinn and Mike Gesicki, the Miami Dolphins new acquisitions look to make an immediate impact.

Between the Miami Dolphins offseason trades, free agent signings, and the draft, there are most likely five to seven players considered starters and another six to seven players looking to get significant playing time, with the possibility of transitioning into starters as the season progresses.

When Jarvis Landry left to pursue riches with the Cleveland Browns, the Dolphins had a critical need to pursue another target for Ryan Tannehill.  They not only got one, but two legitimate threats at the wide receiver position by acquiring Danny Amendola and Albert Wilson through free agency.  Danny Amendola has uncanny route running capability to create openings in the middle and Albert Wilson has the speed to establish separation on the deeper routes.  Dolphins fans may soon forget all about that other receiver.

"(What was it about WR Albert Wilson that attracted you to his talent level?) – “His speed is hard to ignore. We saw first-hand how fast he is and what he can do, how he can stretch the field vertically. Then I think I’d look at a guy that when you put the ball in his hands, he makes plays. I don’t think I’ve seen too many wide receivers where a team is actually handing the ball off to him and he’s running between the tackles. He’s not a running back; but he has toughness, he has vision and he has ability to do a lot of different things, which is very intriguing to us. We feel like we have a lot of things that we can do with him.”  Adam Gase via miamidolphins.com"

Daniel Kilgore and Josh Sitton will be the new faces on the offensive line at center and guard, respectively.  These two are experienced and talented offensive linemen that will also be great mentors for their younger teammates lining up alongside them.  This group should benefit immeasurably by practicing and working together throughout the preseason as one unit.

"(How would you describe what G Josh Sitton and C Daniel Kilgore bring together and maybe how their skillset and their personality type might impact the overall production of the line?) – “I haven’t been around those two guys long enough to really … We’re talking about a couple hours I’ve been with them. I really need to experience this. I can go off of what I’ve heard, which has been positive for us. I’m going off of what two guys that were with them for two years, their experience with them in Chicago. I know with what we’re getting with Josh, we’re getting a guy that has been a Pro Bowler. He has won. He has played with an elite quarterback. I think he’s excited to have this opportunity, being able to help a young player that’s playing next to him. I think that’s something that really excited him. As far as Daniel goes, I’ve got nothing but positive feedback from those guys out there. I have a great relationship between Kyle (Shanahan) and John (Lynch), Paraag (Marathe) and Jed (York) and all of those guys. Those guys couldn’t say enough about him. I feel like we’re getting two good dudes that are hard workers, that want to do it right, that want to be part of the solution of us winning. I think we’re going to have the positive results we’re looking for.”  Adam Gase via miamidolphins.com"

Two other additions to the offense cannot be understated.  The signing of Frank Gore will be a betterment for the Dolphins in more than one way.  He seems to never age and still has a lot of fuel in the tank to be a formidable running back. He and Kenyan Drake will make a backfield duo that will demand respect and be exciting to watch.  Kenyan will also greatly profit from Frank’s knowledge and experience.

Mike Gesicki is the second of these additions that should add a weapon the Miami Dolphins have for so long desired, the pass catching tight end in the red zone.  Mike’s size, excellent hands and leaping abilities (from his basketball days) could turn into one of Ryan Tannehill’s favorite targets in the end zone.  Mike Gesicki may just be the Dolphins future “Gronk”.

"(On Gesicki’s first NFL catch) – I didn’t even realize it was his first catch. Mike’s been doing a good job for us in practice, making some big-time plays this week. This week, he had some big-time plays in practice and everyone is really confident in what he can do for us. I didn’t realize it was his first catch. I should probably say something to him; but he’s doing a good job. I’m excited about where he’s at. He’s only going to continue to grow and get better but he’s going to be a huge advantage for us especially in the red zone.  Ryan Tannehill via miamidolphins.com"

On the defensive side of the ball, the Dolphins drafted Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jerome Baker with their #1 and #3 picks and added Akeem Spence and Robert Quinn through trades.  As of now, the last three mentioned look to be starters, with Minkah getting ample playing time, if not earning a starting spot himself. These additions have been brought in to improve the Dolphin’s ability to stop the run and pressure the quarterback.  Robert Quinn has already shown his talents with three sacks in preseason games.

"(DE Robert Quinn, what are your impressions? What do you notice?) – “He’s a unique athlete. He bends probably as good as anybody I’ve ever been around. It’s weird to watch sometimes, to be honest with you. He comes off the corner and sometimes you think he’s actually rushing too high and gets past the quarterback, then he just turns his foot and plants it and bends it. His knee is about two feet off the ground and he can really hug it.  It’s pretty fun. Again, he’s another guy that doesn’t really say much. He just kind of comes out to work. He’s got a smile on his face. But just from an athletic standpoint, to me, he has a rare bend ability. That’s his trait and it’s almost disarming to watch at times, the way he can corner.”  Matt Burke via miamidolphins.com"

The Miami Dolphins have brought in a group of accomplished veterans and capable young talent, to both replace outgoing players and to improve certain aspects of their game.  There are other players that were not talked about in the article that also could be promising assets to this team in the near future, including place kickers Jason Sanders and Greg Joseph, which ever one wins the starting role.

"(Considering you guys had so many big talented names leave, do you feel like you’ve brought in the talent to replace that or is it more the sum is bigger than the parts?) – “Really the way I see it right now is that we’ve added the pieces that really go with the group that we already have. Obviously when you have the players that have left, the caliber of players that we’ve had and the guys that have had the production that they’ve had, we know that you’re not going to replace one guy with one guy. We understand that. We’re just trying to find the best fit for our locker room right now. That’s what we’re looking for anytime we bring anybody else in.”  Adam Gase via miamidolphins.com"

This is all a part of the ongoing rebuilding of the Miami Dolphins, that have been underway by Mike Tannenbaum, Chris Grier and Adam Case.  With the new faces added this year and the ones returning from the past couple of years, it should be fun to watch the future unfold.