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To say that the 2009 season-to-date has been anything but a disappointment would smack of dishonesty.

 

Or blatant homerism.

 

Because, as Bill Parcells once said, and as Tony Sparano repeated, you are what your record says you are. And that means that the Miami Dolphins are an average 3-5 team with only a mathematical shot at a playoff berth.

 

Yet it is altogether easy to lose the forest for the trees when evaluating the progress made during the first half of this season.

 

Consider that the Dolphins are just one game behind last year’s pace, despite playing a murderer’s row of opponents (.800 winning percentage), having lost their starting quarterback (Chad Pennington), an important offensive weapon (TE David Martin), their best defensive back (CB Will Allen), and utility man extraordinaire Patrick Cobbs.

 

With this in mind, here are my mid-season grades.

 

 

Offensive Line = A-

 

The Dolphins have invested heavily in building a top notch offensive line, the foundation for championship football. So what do the Dolphins have to show for their reported $155 million investment? A run game ranked in the top 5 and pass protection ranked in the top 10 (would be even better if not for some QB-induced sacks). The next step for this bunch is to improve their consistency, especially against elite teams. In other words, they need to be able to run the ball at will. They also need to continue to improve at picking up blitzes and dogs. Thus far, the acquisition of center Jake Grove is proving to have been a wise move. LT Jake Long got off to a slow start but is back to his Pro Bowl form; his run blocking demands attention from the opposition, as Bill Belichick showed in the last game by lining NT Vince Wilfork right over him. Guards Justin Smiley and Donald Thomas have mostly been solid, but Smiley’s chronic shoulder problem has returned and has affected his play recently. Thomas is still a rookie in terms of game experience, but is playing well while he learns. RT Vernon Carey is in the prime of his career, justifying his new contract (six years, $42 million, $15 million guaranteed).

 

 

Halfbacks and Fullbacks = A

 

Ronnie Brown has been the best all-around player on offense since the 2006 season. Now he is one of the best all-around players in the NFL. He and Ricky Williams could end up with dual 1,000 yard seasons. Last time that happened in team history was 1972 (Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris). No team has a better duo than the Dolphins’ Brown and Williams. The loss of Cobbs hurts the offense, because he was a dangerous third option. FB Lou Polite, the master of the dive play, is perfect on short yardage conversions and has been mostly good on blocks; his leadership value to the team is not well understood by outsiders.

 

 

Wide Receivers = C

 

The Dolphins have good to average 2^nd and 3^rd options at wide receiver, but still haven’t firmly defined a stud who can, as offensive coordinator Dan Henning would say, “knock the top off of the defense”. The only player on the team who has the ability to do this is Ted Ginn, but he has been inconsistent. Despite searing criticism from media and fans, the Dolphins would be 1-7 without him. The hopeful thing with Ginn’s future is that the guy has improved in each of the past two offseasons. If this trend continues, one figures that he will eventually come around. But for the first half of this season, Ginn has been what Sparano has called him: streaky. Top possession man Greg Camarillo is still fighting to get back to 100% after last season’s knee injury, but has been very productive on third downs, as has last year’s undrafted surprise Davone Bess. Bess has been trying to work through a recent problem with drops and fumbles. Rookie Brian Hartline has had some nice moments, but he is not ready for a major role just yet. A major part of the blame for the team’s #29 ranking in pass offense belongs with this bunch.

 

 

Tight Ends = C+

 

Think the Dolphins aren’t missing David Martin? Think again. He was a regular mismatch on linebackers and safeties, something Anthony Fasano and Joey Haynos aren’t. Martin’s absence is another reason why the Dolphins are struggling in the passing game. As for Fasano, there’s been a big fall off in productivity from last season. Part of this could be that he is being asked to block more; he also went through a terrible case of the drops early on. And now he is dealing with a hip injury that could hamper his effectiveness. Haynos is a valuable red zone weapon, but seems limited when working in the middle of the field.

 

 

Quarterbacks = C+

 

At the start of the season, incumbent Chad Pennington looked to be primed for a season that would rival last year’s MVP effort. But Pennington started out slowly and then was lost for the season with a shoulder injury. Chad Henne’s the man now and for the foreseeable future; he had some impressive games (NY Jets on Monday Night) but also some stinkers (at Jets and New Orleans). This is to be expected from a young QB who has started just five games. Rookie Pat White has yet to complete a pass, but is a weapon when running the Wildcat and option sets. His lack of accuracy throwing the football at the pro level has surprised the Dolphins, given his reputation for accuracy at West Virginia; White and QB coach David Lee have some work to do.

 

 

Defensive Line = B+

 

This stout group, led by NT Jason Ferguson, is the biggest reason why the Dolphins enjoy a top 5 ranking versus the run. Back-up Paul Soliai is much improved this season and must now focus on consistency. Randy Starks is having his best season, and leads this group in tackles and sacks (4.5). Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling, last year’s rookie sensations, continue to be an integral part of the rotation though both are currently more adept to stopping the run versus rushing the passer. Langford seems to have passed Merling by in terms of productivity. Back-up Tony McDaniel was a solid addition to the roster and can play end or tackle. The grade for this group would be higher if others besides Starks were doing a better job of pressuring the quarterback.

 

 

Linebackers = B+

 

Inside linebackers Channing Crowder and Akin Ayodele are having a terrific season versus the run, though Crowder’s shoulder injury knocked him out for a couple of games. Joey Porter is not performing like he is 100% healthy; he has been nearly invisible rushing the passer, this after last season’s Pro Bowl and co-MVP effort. The venerable Jason Taylor continues to roll, leading the Dolphins with 5.5 sacks. It’s as if he never left. Cameron Wake is working his way into the rotation on a more consistent basis, and may see even more playing time if the coaches become convinced that a healthy Wake is better than an injured Porter. Wake’s problem is that he is inconsistent playing the run. With Crowder’s injury status, Reggie Torbor has seen more action on defense and has graded out well for the most part.

 

 

Defensive Backs = D

 

The pass defense is currently rated 28^th in the NFL, and is dead last in surrendering passes of 20 yards or longer. This is the single biggest reason why the team in 3-5 instead of 5-3 or better. While there is much optimism surrounding the play of rookie CBs Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, there is much concern regarding the play of veteran safeties Yeremiah Bell and Gibril Wilson. This has opened the door for Tyrone Culver and rookie Chris Clemons to get work, and while both have had their moments, neither has proven to be the solution to what ails this unit, the weak link on the team.

 

 

Specialists = B

 

Rookie punter Brandon Fields stands 12^th in both gross and net average. His punt coverage units have improved steadily throughout the season. Kicker Dan Carpenter, on the other hand, has been a real liability with short kickoffs (27^th in NFL). Either the team is asking him to kick short, or his distance issues we first noticed as a rookie are for real. Fortunately, the kick coverage units have brought the net up to 15^th in the league. What keeps Carpenter employed is his accuracy on field goals (11 of 12) and extra points (perfect). Long snapper Ryan Denney has done a good job of hiking the ball cleanly.

 

 

Coaching = B+

 

Tony Sparano has had to deal with a slew of injuries and a rebuilt secondary that is actually worse than last year. Overall, he has done a good job of preparing his guys to play; they’ve been in every game. Some questionable in-game decisions, like calling timeout before the half of the Saints game, deciding to go for two late in the second game versus the Jets, and not going for it on 4^th and 4 late in the fourth quarter of the Patriots game left many scratching their heads. Offensive coordinator Dan Henning is a defensive coordinator’s nightmare, with an ever expanding playbook to prepare for, not knowing what they will get. Defensive boss Paul Pasqualoni gets a lot of credit for the stout run defense, but the pass defense and pass rush just isn’t getting it done. Should he be playing Wake more? Did he wait too long to give Clemons and Culver snaps? Special teams coordinator John Bonamego has slowly, quietly, improved the play of his coverage and return units. Ted Ginn’s career day against the Jets was made possible largely by the vulnerability Bonamego noticed in Mike Westhoff’s coverage scheme.