Fantasy Football News

2006 Fantasy Football Outlook - Miami Dolphins

07/16/2006

2006 Fantasy Football Preview
by Erick Chi
fflcommish.com staff writer

Miami Dolphins

Next on the preseason tour? Bienvenido a Miami. The late summer weather may not be the only thing heating up in Miami this season. Nick Saban and his crew did an admirable job last season, closing out with a pretty solid string of wins. The coaching staff has been bolstered after the departure of Scott Linehan to St. Louis with new offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, formerly head coach of the Bills, and also joining the team is Dom Capers, former head coach of the Texans. Saban has done an good job of turning things around and while these two coordinators (although Capers is not officially a coordinator, so that the Texans still pay the bulk of his salary) may not have faired so well playing alpha dog, they do have the skills to achieve at the coordinating spot and get high levels of talent out of their players. As long as the coaching staff jells, players get healthy and continue to buy into the organizational culture, Miami will be a team to keep an eye on.

Quarterback

It looks like Miami did a great job of taking advantage of the turmoil in Minnesota this off-season. Although not of the ilk of the Herschel Walker fleecing job Dallas pulled on Minnesota, if Daunte Culpepper is healthy, surrendering their second round draft pick for next year was a ridiculously small price to pay. Culpepper, being just one season removed from pro-bowl honors, has all the tools to be an elite quarterback when healthy. He has a strong, accurate arm, the mobility to elude defenders and create yardage on the ground and he also has the distinction of being a quarterback with the build of a middle linebacker or small defensive end. However, the if of Culpepper being healthy is an extremely big if. He tore three of the four major ligaments in his knee taking a brutal shot from the Panther's Chris Gamble last season and has yet to be battle tested in his rehabilitation. Early reports out of team workouts have lauded Culpepper for his work ethic in his rehabilitation and his fearlessness in practice. He appears to have no hesitation to tuck the ball and take off. But I'll be skeptical until I see some preseason games. It's not terribly frightening to scramble when you're wearing the bright red "don't hit me" QB practice jersey. All that being said, if Culpepper is unable to go right away, Miami has secured Joey "Champagne and Caviar" Harrington. Harrington, a former first round pick out of Oregon was supposed to have all the tools but couldn't ever seem to get it together in Detroit. Even with first round draft pick talent at running back and three wide receiver positions he just couldn't seem to keep his head above water. A change of scenery might be a good thing for him, but again, I won't believe it until I see it. Behind him are these untested quantities: former San Diego Charger Cleo Lemon, Brock Berlin from 'da U, rookie free agent Justin Holland from Colorado State and wild card Marcus Vick (although Senor Mexico's little brother figures in to be more of a factor as a receiver or on special teams). The biggest question is obviously Culpepper's health and whether or not he and Harrington will be able to pick up a new offense for the first time in each of their respective pro careers. Those factors will be the difference in whether you're uttering the name of a Miami signal caller to your fantasy football league commissioner come draft day, or if it will be necessary to go in another direction.

Grade: A- (if Culpepper is healthy), C (if he's not)

Running Backs

Well, you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but you can certainly count on Ricky Williams to abuse some banned substances. Maybe it was for the better after seeing his performances so far in the Great White North. I don't think he's scored any Rouges yet… Anyway, they've still got a very good back in second year man Ronnie Brown. Some experts balked at the notion of Miami drafting the number 2 guy out of Auburn, but he served them all a steaming plate of crow. He had an excellent rookie season splitting time with Williams and should make the sophomore leap as the game slows down for him. However, not unlike the quarterback position, there's plenty of cream at the top, but not much below supporting it. After Brown we've got Travis Minor and Sammy Morris; both serviceable change of pace backs, but no one you'd ever trust as your number one guy. Behind them are former West Virgina Mountaneer Kay-Jay Harris and Tennessee rookie free agent Gerald Riggs Jr and according to the coaching staff they won't be adding any more backs before training camp. If Brown can prove his durability, keep fresh legs throughout the season and stay healthy, Miami should have a pretty decent run game. He would certainly be an excellent pick in your upcoming fantasy football league draft. However, the team would most certainly fall on some difficult times if Brown were to miss time for any reason.

Grade: B

Wide Receivers

The wide receiving corps in South Beach isn't too shabby this season. Again, if Culpepper is healthy, Chambers, especially, and Booker should certainly enjoy some success this season. Reports out of the Miami Herald are saying that Mike Mularkey wants to play more of a controlled offense with a renewed emphasis on the run, as compared to the somewhat pass happy philosophy of Scott Linehan. But, you still have to believe that with the forced absence of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown being the only true option at tailback, the passing game of Miami will play a crucial role this season. Rookie third round draft pick Derek Hagan had an excellent career at Arizona State and if not for a disappointing off-season and lackluster performance at the Senior Bowl he would have probably been a lock as a first or second round pick. He should prove another big target for Culpepper to sling passes to. Marcus Vick, though athletic and Wes Welker, though valuable as a serious emergency back-up kicker, will probably play only minor roles. Kelly Campbell has had his share of off-season problems with his gun possession charge, but he has a prior relationship with Daunte Culpepper and despite his small stature, was able to stretch the field vertically from time to time. The main points of focus for you in your fantasy football draft should be Chambers and Booker, with Booker really only being an option in deep, WR-friendly leagues. Chambers may not be your number one receiver, but he should warrant consideration in the middle of the draft and should put up decent numbers. The other members of the receiving corps should only be picked up if they warrant consideration through performance in the preseason and early regular season.

Grade: B-

Tight Ends

Randy McMichael, no matter who's been slinging the rock to him, has been good for about 500 yards and about 4 TD's every year. He should have a decent year this year as Culpepper has learned to check down more throughout his career and make more short, accurate passes, particularly to his tight ends. Justin Pelle was signed from San Diego in the off-season and though not much more than a blocker and a special-teamer did manage to haul in 11 passes and a touchdown last season as a Charger. He and Teyo Johnson should be the main backups, along with Keith Heinrich, signed out of Cleveland. Johnson has athleticism and excellent speed for a tight end, but has not been able to parlay that into NFL success. He played plenty for the Raiders, but never really made an impact. McMichael is probably worth keeping on your tight end radar and he might prove pretty successful when paired with Culpepper this season.

Grade: B

Kicker

Miami's kicking game has their tried and true kicker Olindo Mare, even though he has seemed to falter as of late, and 2^nd year player Ola Kimrin out of Sweden. Mare has been a cornerstone of the Miami franchise for the last few years, but last year only scored 108 points, which was in the bottom half of the league. Kimrin is a serviceable kicker, but probably doesn't have what it takes to push Mare out. Unless Mare snaps out of his doldrums and the Miami offense sets him up with more opportunities, he's another kicker that probably should only be used during your primary kicker's bye week.

Grade: C+

Erick Chi is a staff writer for fflcommish.com, the most flexible fantasy football league manager available for your fantasy football leagues needs.