Miami Dolphins 2013 Season Preview

This is a preview of the upcoming season for the Miami Dolphins. The schedule and tickets for the Miami Dolphins are included.

Last season: 7-9 (2nd in Division, Missed Playoffs)

Vegas Over/Under: 7.5 Wins

Key Additions: WR Mike Wallace (FA), LB Dannell Ellerbe (FA), DE Dion Jordan (OREGON)

Key Losses: RB Reggie Bush, TE Anthony Fasano, T Jake Long

Strength of Schedule: 8

In the first season under head coach Joe Philbin, the Miami Dolphins and rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill managed a 7-9 record. With a ton of cap space heading into the offseason, the Dolphins made more moves than anybody in the league. They signed wide out Mike Wallace to a $60 million dollar contract, stole away Dannell Ellerbe from the Ravens at $35 million a year, and traded up to the third overall pick to nab the best pass rushing prospect in the draft, Dion Jordan. But the Dolphins and general manager Jeff Ireland weren’t done there. They also signed former Raider linebacker Philip Wheeler (no relation to Pete), former Atlanta cornerback Brent Grimes, and former Jets tight end Dustin Keller. Not only did the Dolphins make all of these personel changes, but they also made some changes to their logo and uniforms.

In the year of the rookie quarterback, Ryan Tannehill tends to be forgotten behind Andrew Luck, Russel Wilson, and Robert Griffin III. But Tannehill was no slouch; the former college receiver nearly brought the Dolphins to a .500 record with Brian Hartline as their number one receiver. With the addition of Mike Wallace as well as well as tight end Dustin Keller, Tannehill’s growth will only be accelerated. So Miami has the quarterback positioned solidified, but now with the loss of Reggie Bush the competition for starting running back is wide open. Second year back Lamar Miller looks to be in the driver seat since third year back Daniel Thomas has been a disappointment these past couple years. However fifth round pick Michael Gillislee out of Florida is impressing in camp, and drawing comparisons to Frank Gore. Along the offensive line, the Dolphins elected to let left tackle and former number one pick Jake Long walk in free agency. Replacing Long is second year man Jonathan Martin, who was the cheapest option for the Dolphins. It was nice to see Ireland show some restraint after splurging all offseason.

Defensively, the Dolphins ranked seventh in the league last season in points allowed, but coach Joe Philbin is focused on limiting the big play this season. The Dolphins let up 60 plays of 20 yards or more and only generated 16 turnovers. So the Dolphins made some turnovers themselves on defense, replacing Kevin Burnett, Karlos Dansby, and Sean Smith with Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler, and Brent Grimes respectively. This trio doesn’t neccessarily have a history of creating turnovers, but the Dolphins are hoping that changes in Miami. Miami did keep some continuity along the defensive line, with all four starters returning. They obviously will be adding Dion Jordan to that mix, and he will create a lethal duo playing opposite of Cameron Wake. This unit is going to have to generate a serious pass rush, and do so early because Miami faces Andrew Luck, Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, Joe Flacco, and Tom Brady in the first eight weeks of the season.

Miami opens the 2013 season with back to back road games against Cleveland and Indianapolis. They will be returning to Sun Life Stadium week three to play host to the Atlanta Falcons. You can catch the Dolphins first home game here, or check out the rest of Miami’s games through our schedule.

Bottom Line

Ryan Tannehill is poised to improve the most from last season rookie class, especially now that he has some added weapons at his disposal, not to mention having the support of his beautiful wife. With all the chaos surrounding the Patriots, the AFC East isn’t out of reach any longer. The Dolphins make it to at least 8-8 and the over hits.