The Dolphins went from 1-15 two years ago to winning the AFC East title last year. What will this year bring? Probably a let down -- for the team and for Fantasy owners. The Dolphins have a tougher schedule this season and no one will underestimate them any more, but they will remain competitive nonetheless. The defense should improve with the additions of safety Gibril Wilson, rookie defensive backs Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, CFL import Cameron Wake and the return of defensive end Jason Taylor. It's on offense where the questions remain.
We know Ronnie Brown will be the focal point, and he should continue to improve in his second season following ACL surgery. He also gets the added benefit of taking snaps in the Wildcat offense, which made him a successful Fantasy option last year. He will lose some touches in the Wildcat to rookie quarterback Pat White, but Brown should be stellar as a No. 2 Fantasy running back. The passing game in Miami will be interesting with Chad Pennington coming off a career year and still an unproven receiving corps. If Pennington can work his magic again, the Dolphins could be in playoff contention.
Sleeper ... Davone Bess, WR
Bess is never going to win you a Fantasy title, but he is a nice reserve to own, especially in leagues where receptions count. He didn't see increased playing time until Greg Camarillo (knee) went down in Week 12, but he finished the season with 35 catches for 366 yards in his final six games. He's a great slot receiver, and the Dolphins need just that with Camarillo still limited and not expected to be ready for the start of the season. You can take Bess with a late-round pick in all leagues, but he should be good for about five catches per game and 60 yards. He only scored one touchdown last year, but even without finding the end zone those guaranteed six Fantasy points (or 11 in a PPR league) is good for a fill-in wide receiver. Bess was one of the best surprises last season as undrafted rookie free agent, and he should continue to improve this year.
Breakout ... Ted Ginn Jr., WR
The Dolphins are waiting and practically begging for someone to step up as a No. 1 wide receiver, and Ginn has the best chance to be that guy. He's entering his third year in the NFL, and that's typically the season when receivers have a breakout year. He has improved in his first two years with 34 catches as a rookie and 56 catches last year. He needs to do a better job of finding the end zone with only four receiving touchdowns in his career, but he did score two rushing touchdowns last year, which is an added dimension to his game. The Dolphins are obviously a run-oriented team, so none of their receivers are ever going to post dynamic stats on a consistent basis. But you can draft Ginn as a No. 3 Fantasy option with a late-round pick, and he could start for you during bye weeks or as an injury replacement. And if he does have a breakout season as expected, he could end up as a starter during weeks when he has a favorable matchup.
Bust ... Chad Pennington, QB
You can make the argument that Pennington was the best quarterback in Miami since Dan Marino retired. He led the Dolphins to the playoffs and had a near perfect season with 3,653 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and only seven interceptions and also 58 rushing yards, one fumble lost and one touchdown on the ground. He was reunited with offensive coordinator Dan Henning and had a career year. He was a starter for many Fantasy owners late in the season when he passed for 11 touchdowns and two interceptions in his final six games. But Pennington will be looking to post back-to-back 3,000-yard seasons for the first time in his career. Pennington has also never made it a full 16 games in back-to-back seasons either. He's in a contract year, but he also has Chad Henne and now rookie Pat White ready for playing time. Henne is the future in Miami, and White will take Pennington off the field for Wildcat plays. Pennington will never be more than a No. 2 Fantasy option again in his career and should be left on the waiver wire.
Training camp topics
For a team that won the AFC East last year, the Dolphins have a lot of "ifs" this season. They have to wonder if Pennington will be as good as last year, and if he can hold off Henne and White. They have to hope the Wildcat can be as surprising and successful as it was last season. They have to wonder if Taylor's return is the key to helping Joey Porter improve the pass rush. These questions and several others will be important for Fantasy owners.
Brown is the most Fantasy relevant player in Miami, but Ricky Williams will also play a role. Pennington also has to get some help from an unproven receiving corps that has potential with Ginn Jr., Bess and tight end Anthony Fasano, but also could rely on rookies Brian Hartline and Patrick Turner. It's going to be an interesting year for the Dolphins, and how they do could impact some waiver wire moves for Fantasy owners throughout the season.
Injury update ... Greg Camarillo (Knee; considered questionable to start training camp) ... David Martin (Hernia; considered probable to start training camp)
Are you ready for the 2009 Fantasy season? If not, we're here for you. Send us an e-mail at DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com. We'll respond to as many as we can.
