2011 NFL Predictions: AFC East Miami Dolphins

Today, I start my 2011 NFL Predictions. Because I was suppose to start yesterday, I will be posting two teams today. With all the changes at the end of last week and over the weekend, I had to tweak my picks.

Our first team on the board is the Miami Dolphins of the AFC East. 

Miami Dolphins

Last Season: 7 – 9

2011 NFL Draft: C Mike Pouncey (Florida, Rd.1/Pick 15), RB Daniel Thomas (Kansas State, Rd.2/Pick 30), WR Edmond Gate (Abilene Christian, Rd. 4/Pick 14), FB Charles Clay (Tulsa, Rd. 6/Pick 9), DT Frank Kearse (Alabama A&M, Rd.7/Pick 28), DB Jimmy Wilson (Montana, Rd. 7/Pick 32) 

Key Additions: LB Jason Taylor, RB Reggie Bush, CB Al Harris, QB Matt Moore 

Key Losses: RB Ronnie Brown, LB Channing Crowder 

2010 Individual Stat Leaders:

• Passing yards — Chad Henne — 3,301 yards

• Passing touchdowns — Chad Henne — 15

• Rushing yards — Ronnie Brown — 734 yards

• Rushing touchdowns ­— Ronnie Brown — 5

• Receiving yards — Brandon Marshall — 1,104

• Receiving touchdowns — Davone Bess — 5

• Tackles — Yeremiah Bell — 101

• Sacks — Cameron Wake — 14

• Interceptions — Jason Allen — 3 

2011 Regular Season Schedule: 

Week 1: Patriots

Week 2: Texans

Week 3: @ Browns

Week 4: @ Chargers

Week 5: Bye

Week 6: @ NY Jets

Week 7: Broncos

Week 8: @ NY Giants

Week 9: @ Chiefs

Week 10: Redskins

Week 11: Bills

Week 12: @ Cowboys

Week 13: Raiders

Week 14: Eagles

Week 15: @ Bills

Week 16: @ Patriots

Week 17: NY Jets

Analysis: You can see there was problems with the Dolphins’ offensive attack by just looking at the combined passing and rushing touchdown leaders from last year — 15 from QB Chad Henne and five from RB Ronnie Brown. Twenty touchdowns are not going to cut it in the NFL. Many expected the Dolphins to get help at QB, with Henne not improving much in his second year under the center. Instead, Miami went with QB Matt Moore, who fell flat on his face in Carolina after supposedly being the heir to QB Jake Delhomme. The Dolphins also lose their top two running backs in Brown and Ricky Williams. They are putting a lot of confidence in rookie RB Daniel Thomas out of Kansas City. The acquisition of RB Reggie Bush may help take the load off, but he hasn’t exactly been explosive in his career. LB Jason Taylor is returning at the end of his career, but he, along with CB Al Harris will help LB Yeremiah Bell in stopping opposing offenses. Still, the offense will fall flat this year and the team will have a shot at Stanford QB Andrew Luck in the 2012 NFL Draft.

2011 Season Prediction: 3 – 13, Fourth in AFC East

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