2014 NFL Preview: Everything you need to know about the Miami Dolphins

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Miami Dolphins

Schedule | Roster

The Dolphins finished at .500 in 2013, the first time they had hit the mark since their 11-5 campaign in 2008. The team remained in playoff contention until the end of the season, but consecutive blowout losses in Weeks 16 and 17 sealed their fate.

When it mattered most, second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill was at his worst. It doesn't get much uglier than 10-of-27 for 82 yards in a 19-0 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 16.

Poor offensive line play was the story of the season for the Dolphins - the story on the field, at least - as the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin bullying scandal rocked the team in the locker room and contributed to the poor line play on Sundays. Tannehill was sacked 58 times (10 times more than any other quarterback) and largely failed to make progress as a passer.

After the season, general manager Jeff Ireland was fired, as was offensive coordinator Mike Sherman. 

Preseason Power Ranking - #27

The Dolphins want to be more dynamic on offense, but they aren't going anywhere if Ryan Tannehill can't take the next step. A more focused and productive Mike Wallace would certainly help. More...

Key Additions/Departures

Key Additions: LT Branden Albert, RB Knowshon Moreno, S Louis Delmas, DT Earl Mitchell, CB Cortland Finnegan

Key Departures: DT Paul Soliai, CB Dimitri Patterson, OT Jonathan Martin, OG Richie Incognito, RB Daniel Thomas

The Dolphins rolled out the red carpet for left tackle Branden Albert in free agency, giving him the third-richest deal any player received: six years, $54 million. He'll anchor a revamped Dolphins line that should feature five new starters in Week 1 (though center Mike Pouncey will resume starting duties once his hip injury has healed).

Cortland Finnegan is expected to start in departed cornerback Dimitri Patterson's old spot. Finnegan cashed in with a five-year, $50-million deal with the St. Louis Rams in 2012, but was benched early in his second year with the Rams for poor play and cut after the season. There are concerns Finnegan is no longer capable of hanging with the NFL's top wideouts, so he should expect to be picked on by opposing quarterbacks until he proves he can still play at a top level. 

The Dolphins slow-played Knowshon Moreno in free agency and ended up grabbing him on a team-friendly one-year deal. The party didn't last long, however, as Moreno reportedly showed up to minicamp out of shape and then underwent a surgical procedure on his knee. 

2014 Draft Class 

The Dolphins attacked areas of need early in the draft and, as a result, were criticized for reaching a little bit. James should be an immediate starter at right tackle, but some so-called experts had him pegged as a third-round talent. 

Turner could push for a starting job, too, as he's versatile enough to line up at both guard and tackle. 

Landry figures to play slot receiver in three-wide formations, between Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline. What he lacks in high-end speed he makes up for with precise route running and good hands. 

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Joe Philbin
Offensive Coordinator: Bill Lazor
Defensive Coordinator: Kevin Coyle

The story here is the firing of offensive coordinator Mike Sherman and the addition of Lazor, who comes over from Chip Kelly's staff in Philadelphia, where he served as quarterbacks coach. 

The Dolphins promise to field a faster and more multiple offense this season, with some pundits even predicting the team will utilize many of the read-option and unbalanced formation concepts Kelly is famous for. 

Perhaps more important to the Dolphins' fortunes than Lazor's scheme will be how he assists Tannehill in his development. Sherman and Tannehill worked together not only in Miami, but also at Texas A&M. A new voice in the young quarterback's ear could be just what Tannehill needs to elevate his game to the next level. Lazor certainly looks like the ideal man for the job, coming off a year where he was instrumental in the development of Nick Foles. 

2014 Schedule

The Dolphins will play the NFL's 12th-most difficult schedule on paper in 2014.

The first two weeks provide the chance to make a strong statement in the AFC East and build some momentum before a Week 4 contest with the Oakland Raiders in London.

The Dolphins' two prime time games will be played in a three-week stretch after the midway point, each against divisional foes. 

A particular arduous stretch begins on Nov. 23 at Denver. The Dolphins follow that up by travelling to play the New York Jets, hosting the Baltimore Ravens and traveling to play the New England Patriots. Those games could determine whether the Dolphins have what it takes to play on into January. 

Bold Predictions

Tannehill throws 35 touchdowns. Lazor takes over in Miami as the offensive coordinator and expect him to turn Tannehill loose. Lazor did wonders with Foles last season in Philadelphia and he should help Tannehill take the next step. A healthy Brandon Gibson, rookie Jarvis Landry, and an emerging Rishard Matthews to go along with Wallace and Hartline, could give Miami one of the deepest receiving corps in the league. -Michael Amato

The Dolphins will finish with a bottom-five record. The excitement about the Dolphins running a face-paced, Eagles-style offense this season is classic offseason hype. It will disappear once the pads are on and the points matter. This is a team that lacks playmakers on both sides of the ball. If Tannehill doesn’t take a big step forward, he could be on a new team in 2015, replaced in Miami by a top-five draft pick. -David Woods