Tomorrow signals the beginning of the 2014 campaign.... For the media that is (the team has been together for about a month now, but practice is open to the media for the first time this year tomorrow). Yes, I know rookie camp was last week, but that's nothing more than a bunch of wide-eyed 22 year old's running around aimlessly for a couple hours a day.
So no, that doesn't count. But tomorrow? Now that's a different story.
Tomorrow will be the first time the entire 2014 Miami Dolphins take the field as a unit (again, to the public). All the major players will be there. All of the coaching staff will be there. All of the new guys, young and old, will be there.
For the first time since December 30 of last year the Miami Dolphins will take the field. So, with that in mind, now would be a good time to regroup and reflect on this past offseason. As well as look ahead to what to watch for in the coming months. After all, this squad will look a lot different tomorrow than it did five months ago.
KEY LOSSES:
LT Jonathan Martin
OL Richie Incognito
FS Chris Clemons
DT Paul Soliai
FREE AGENT ADDITIONS:
RB Knowshon Moreno
LT Brandon Albert
S Louis Delmas
CB Cortland Finnegan
DT Earl Mitchell
OG Shelly Smith
2014 DRAFT CLASS:
Ja'Wuan James, OT, Tennessee
Jarvis Landry, WR, LSU
Billy Turner, OT/OG, North Dakota State
Walt Aikens, CB, Liberty
Arthur Lynch, TE, Georgia
Jordan Tripp, LB, Montana
Matt Hazel, WR, Coastal Carolina
Terrence Fede, DE, Marist
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Now, while this is a big first step towards the NFL fully returning, lets remember, this still isn't training camp. There will be no pads. There will be no hitting. But, with that being said, there is still plenty to watch for. Like..
- Ryan Tannehill and Mike Wallace. We all know the issues these two had last season. How do they look now, five months later, with a full offseason under their belts? How does the deep ball look? How does the chemistry look?
- New OC Bill Lazor's offense. What are the noticeable differences in the offense? In Ryan Tannehill? In the overall pace, look, and feel? Expect up tempo, fast, and a lot of movement.
- The WR's. Remember, Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson and Armon Binns all ended last season with injuries. How many of those three are practicing? How many are with the trainers? And, let's not forget new WR Jarvis Landry. Where does he fit in? How does he look?
- What does the offensive line look like? There are A LOT of new additions on this line, and it may take some time for Joe Philbin to put together the right recipe. We know Branden Albert will be at LT, and Mike Pouncey will be at C, but beyond that it's a bit of guess. Where does first round pick Ja'Wuan James play? What unit does he come out on? Where does rookie Billy Turner fit in?
- The OTHER CB. We know you'll have Brent Grimes manning the left side of the field. But the right side? That spot is WIDE open. One has to assume that Cortland Finnegan will be the favorite out of the gate, but remember, you've got two second year players in Will Davis and Jamar Taylor right behind him.
- What do the LB's look like? This group was easily the weakest link on Miami's defense last year. Dannell Ellerbe was hurt for much of the year, and Philip Wheeler was a huge problem. Does second year LB Jelani Jenkins make a push for somebody's spot? Does Ellerbe become more of a leader the team desperately needs him to be?
- DT will be a fun position to watch. Jared Odrick, Earl Mitchell, and Randy Starks are all above average starters in this league, and all will get ample playing time at the position. But who is the front runner? Who comes out with the first unit?
- How does Dion Jordan look? His shoulder issues stunted his growth last season, but rumor has it he's ready to be a serious competitor this season. Does he give Olivier Vernon a run at his job starting tomorrow?
So many questions, and, surely, so many more that will pop up after tomorrow. Make sure to keep checking back throughout the day for any updates.
We're almost there! Just a few more months.
Hang in there.
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