Miami Dolphins: Will It All Pay Off in 2015?

One of the aspects that makes the National Football League so appealing is that is actually national..and a bit international.

What we mean by that is that there are fan bases of all 32 teams spread out all over the country and well as the world.

Of course, there are certain franchises that have enjoyed more staying power as well as more popularity than others. There are enormous groups of fans for the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders and perhaps more recently the New England Patriots.

Rest assured, the majority of the teams are well-represented all over.

The Miami Dolphins have earned their share of global interest thanks to their success in the 1970s, when they followed a perfect 17-0 season with a second straight Super Bowl title. In the 1980s and all of the ‘90s, head coach Don Shula and later Jimmy Johnson would benefit from the presence of eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino.

It wasn’t that long ago that the Dolphins were the league’s most successful franchise in terms of regular-season wins dating back to the merger in 1970. Unfortunately, the club’s lack of success in recent years has now relegated them to third on that list behind the Steelers and Cowboys.

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Dating back to realignment and the 2002 season, the Miami Dolphins own a combined 93-115 win-loss record and have missed the playoffs 12 times in 13 years. That includes a 51-53 record at home and a 31-47 combined mark against the Buffalo Bills (11-15), New England Patriots (8-18) and New York Jets (12-14) – their current AFC East rivals.

In 2007, the team finished 1-15 but then tied an NFL record one year later by winning 10 more games than the previous season. The Dolphins captured the AFC East in ’08 with an 11-5 record…and they haven’t had a winning campaign since. In recent years, head coach Joe Philbin has had the club on the brink of a playoff appearance only to see it fall apart down the stretch.

But has the franchise now gathered enough talented pieces to make a legitimate run at not only a postseason berth but the AFC East title?

Free agency has brought defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh (at a very high price) and C.J. Mosley, a pair of former Detroit Lions who were part of the league’s top-ranked run defense in 2014. This past season, the Dolphins ranked 24th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed for the second straight year. The team actually gave up more rushing yards in their final six games (992) than their first 10 outings (945) in 2014.

The addition of these veterans combined with the presence of defensive ends Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon should make the Miami pass rush not only more formidable but more consistent. This past season, the Dolphins totaled a mere 11 sacks in their last seven contests after racking up 28 sacks in their first nine games.

May 26, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defense tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) during practice drills at Miami Dolphins Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

On the offensive side of the ball, it’s out with pass-catchers Mike Wallace (traded to Minnesota), Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson (both released) and tight end Charles Clay (did not match the Bills’ offer sheet). It is in with the additions of wideouts Greg Jennings (Minnesota Vikings), Kenny Stills (traded from New Orleans), rookie DeVante Parker (who’s currently on the mend after foot surgery) and tight end Jordan Cameron (Cleveland Browns). Jarvis Landry, who led the club in receptions as a rookie in 2014, returns for his second season.

Elsewhere, quarterback Ryan Tannehill comes off his third and most productive NFL season and was given a big vote of confidence via a new contract this offseason. Running back Lamar Miller comes off a 1,000-plus yard season and the offensive line is primed to bounce back a problem-plagued season in which left tackle Branden Albert missed the second half of 2014.

Yes, that alone is a lot of talent. But it should also be noted that the Bills and Jets have also made significant improvement, while the Patriots are…the Patriots.

And even if Philbin and company get off to a good start in 2015, the proof will be in the late-season pudding for this team. When Miami won the AFC East in 2008, they closed the year with five consecutive wins. Since 2009, the Dolphins are a combined 13-17 in their final five contests of the seasons.

It’s safe to say that the state of the NFL in the state of Florida has been disappointing as of late. But perhaps it’s time for the one of the league’s former powerhouse organizations to return to flagship status.

Next: Miami Dolphins: 5 Key Stats

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