by
Chris Shashaty,
Phins.com Columnist
On a periodic basis between now and the 2005 NFL Draft, I
will take an in-depth look at the Dolphins. This week: Wide Receivers and Tight
Ends
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Wide Receiver:
Purely on paper, Chris Chambers’ 2004 numbers don’t overly impress: 69
receptions, 889 yards, 7 touchdowns. However, there is a reason why the
conservatively spending Dolphins signed him to a five year contract worth a
reported $30 million, including a $12 million signing bonus: the guy can flat
out play. Chambers possesses the physical size and speed to be a legitimate gamebreaker.
Strangely, Chambers’ game has thus far seemed suited to that of a possession
receiver. While it may just be a consequence of Wannstedt’s offensive
philosophy, or a real reflection of his talent as a pro, week-over-week consistency
continues to be the key for Chambers if he wants to be regarded with the
league’s elite. The arrival of new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and his
more wide-open philosophy figures to inject some serious explosiveness into
Chambers’ game. If it doesn’t, people will begin to wonder if Chambers will
ever be more than he is now.
Opposite Chambers, a more accomplished Marty Booker turned in a modest 50
catch, 638 yard effort with just 1 touchdown. In fairness to Booker, 2004 was a
confusing and frustrating affair as he endured an unexpected change in cities
and offensive philosophies. The team’s 4-12 record certainly didn’t help matters.
Booker should be a lot better in 2005 with a full offseason under his belt. He
has fantastic hands and is one of the best route runners you will ever see. League
insiders have a great deal of respect for his talents. Even publicly, Booker
has already proven his abilities as a Pro Bowl receiver when he grabbed 97
catches for 1,189 yards and six touchdowns in 2002. Linehan’s system should fit
Booker’s skills extremely well.
After suffering through a very forgettable 2003 campaign, Derrius Thompson
rebounded during the second half of 2004 to produce respectable numbers as a #3
WR with 23 catches for 359 yards and 4 touchdowns. His biggest catch was, of
course, the game winner against the Patriots on Monday Night Football. On
fourth down, with just 1:29 to play in the game, Thompson caught a clutch 21-yard
TD pass over the top of old Dolphin-killer Troy Brown. Perhaps the Dolphin Play
of the Year, it was a snapshot of what the team thought they’d be getting on a
consistent basis when they signed him away from the Redskins two years ago.
Thompson has been a tough player to figure out and, quite frankly, has mostly
been a disappointment. Blessed with the size and physical skills to dominate
defensive backs in close spaces, Thompson should be producing more than he has.
It will be interesting to see how he does in Linehan’s offense. More to the
point, one wonders how much patience Nick Saban will have with him.
Speedster Bryan Gilmore ended up being a decent pick-up for the Dolphins,
collecting 15 catches for 206 yards and 1 touchdown. Acquired off waivers from
the Arizona Cardinals in 2004, Gilmore has a chance to show more in 2005 as his
skills are better suited to a more wide open offense like Linehan’s.
Wes Welker became a something of a cult figure with the fans through his
versatility and exciting play on special teams. A pure football player, Welker
became the first man in NFL history since the Super Bowl era began in 1966 to
kick off, return both a kickoff and a punt, kick a field goal, and kick a point-after-attempt
all in the same game (October 10 @ New England). Welker finished the season ranked second in
the AFC and fifth in the NFL in punt returns (10.8 yard average) and was
seventh in the AFC in kickoff returns (23.0 yard average). In the season finale
against the Ravens, Welker returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. It was the
first kickoff return for a touchdown by a Dolphin since October 1, 1989 when Marc
Logan (remember him?) ripped off a 97-yarder against the Houston Oilers.
Kendall Newson, Ron Bellamy, and Maurice Mann round out the roster. All
will be fighting for jobs, with versatility on special teams being an important
consideration. Newson and Bellamy are Dolphin veterans.
Strengths: Solid starters in Chambers and Booker. Both men’s
games compliment each other quite well, though Booker may be the team’s best
receiver at this time. Welker’s versatility and skill are a huge plus.
Weaknesses: Questionable depth. Lack of a proven gamebreaker.
Offseason Priority: High. Given the lack of quality depth and a proven homerun hitter, the
Dolphins must give serious consideration to upgrading this position. Do not be
surprised if the Dolphins draft either Braylon Edwards or Mike Williams with
the #2 overall pick. Yes, running back is a greater positional need. However,
the best offensive playmakers in this draft may be Edwards and Williams. Together
with Chambers, Booker, and TE Randy McMichael, Edwards or Williams would create
very serious match-up problems for opposing defenses and give the Dolphins
their best corps of receivers since the triumvirate of Mark Clayton, Mark
Duper, and Nat Moore.
Tight End:
“Randy Mac” had by far his best season as pro, leading the team with 73
receptions for 791 yards and 4 touchdowns. He set a single season team record
for the most receptions and yards by a tight end. Considering the list of
outstanding tight ends in Dolphin history, this is an impressive achievement.
Give credit to McMichael’s improved blocking as well, something he has focused on
since coming into the league three years ago. In Linehan’s offensive system,
McMichael figures to only get better in 2005.
An almost physical clone of McMichael in terms of height and weight, Donald
Lee has turned out to be quite a find for a fifth round draft pick (2003).
Lee’s true value to the team is as a hard-nosed blocker. Though he only caught 13
passes for 110 yards and 1 touchdown, Lee demonstrated some upside as a
receiving threat. This will be an important offseason for him in terms of his
development.
Veteran Ed Perry is the team’s resident barber, famous for giving rookies their
horrible haircuts. Perry has become so valuable to the team as a long snapper,
he no longer sees duty on offense. Perry admits that he’d like to see some
offensive snaps as he proved early in his career that he could make a decent
contribution in that regard. However, given how much teams value an excellent
long snapper, Perry’s days as a true tight end are all but over.
An interesting bit of trivia on Perry: With the departure of FB Rob Konrad,
Perry is the last active player on the Dolphin roster to have caught a pass
from Dan Marino.
Strengths: McMichael’s skills as a receiver and blocker make him
one of the best all-around tight ends in the NFL. He is the team’s top
offensive player at the present time. Lee is a solid reserve. Perry is one of
the best long snappers in the league.
Weaknesses: Lack of discipline. McMichael and Lee often committed frustrating and
stupid penalties at the most inopportune times. Nick Saban won’t stand for
that.
Offseason Priority: Low. While acquiring an upgrade to the undisciplined Lee would be nice, the
Dolphins have too many other pressing needs at the present time.