NFL 2007: Miami Dolphins

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2007 season. Today we look at the Miami Dolphins).

Changes abound in Miami during the offseason. Nick Saban left after two years to head up the program in Tuscaloosa and in comes Cam Cameron, fresh off an impressive run as offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers. Also expunged is the Daunte Culpepper experiment. After two injury-filled seasons, Culpepper was let go and veteran Trent Green was brought in. Cameron took a lot of heat drafting Ted Ginn Jr in the first round and Miami fans are showing their impatience and frustration early.

Offense: Green is 37 and may be staring down the slippery slope. A vicious hit to the noggin left him out for eight games last season. He finished with 1,342 yards passing with seven touchdowns and nine picks. Cleo Lemon and rookie John Beck will serve as backups.

Ronnie Brown (1,008 yards, 5 TDs) took a step back last season under Saban, but should thrive under the reigns of Cameron. Rookie Lorenzo Booker will be the backup with Corey Schlesinger, a free agent pickup from Detroit, providing a solid blocking fullback for Brown.

Chris Chambers (59-677-4) and Marty Booker (55-747-6) are a solid, if unspectacular, starting combo. Joining them will be free agent Az-Zahir Hakim, Derek Hagan and rookie Ginn Jr. Randy McMichael bolted to St. Louis and left a big hole in the Dolphins red zone attack. David Martin, acquired from Green Bay, and Justin Peele will look to pick up the slack.

Center Rex Hadnot, guard L.J. Shelton and left tackle Vernon Carey return to lead an offensive line that will feature some new parts in 2007. Guard Chris Liwienski (Cardinals) and tackle Mike Rosenthal (Vikings) were brought in to shore up the line. Look for rookie guard-center Samson Satele, guard Kendyl Jacox and tackle Anthony Alabi to battle for starting positions.

Defense: The strength of the Miami club is the defense and this year should be no different. Age is starting to catch up to these guys, but they are still one of the top units in the NFL.

The defensive line is lead by defensive MVP, Jason Taylor. The All-Pro defensive end collected 60 tackles and 13.5 sacks last season. On the other side is promising Matt Roth, while Keith Traylor and Vonnie Holliday man the middle. DT Rodrique Wright, rookie DT Paul Soliai and ends Abraham Wright and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila serve as backups.

The venerable Zach Thomas (165 tackles, three sacks) returns to lead the defense from his middle linebacker spot. Newcomer Joey Porter had a down year in Pittsburgh with seven sacks and the Dolphins hope a change of scenery will invigorate him. Channing Crowder (103 tackles) operates at strong side linebacker and is solid. Donnie Spragan, Keith Adams and Derrick Pope provide depth.

Will Allen and Andre Goodman are back at corner, while Renaldo Hill and Yeremiah Bell return at safety. That may not be a good thing. The four combined for only three interceptions last season and the Dolphins had a franchise low eight picks last season. Look for 2006 number one pick, Jason Allen, to make a bid for a starting spot at either corner or free safety. Safety Travares Tillman and CB Travis Daniels will play in nickel and dime packages.

Special Teams: Gone is long time kicker Olindo Mare, who was sent packing to New Orleans, and in comes Jay Feely from the Giants. Feely scored 107 points and made 23-of-27 field goals last season. He's solid and Mare shouldn't be missed. Punting is a different story. Donnie Jones, who signed a three-year deal with the Rams, is out and in will be rookie Brandon Fields or second-year pro Ryan Flinn. Ginn Jr. will handle punt and kick return duties.

Outlook: The Dolphins will once gain rely on their defense to keep them in games. The offense, unfortunately, is the same as last year with the exception of Green. The offensive line is shaky and Green may be fighting for his life each and every Sunday. Cameron will really miss the weapons he had in San Diego.

Prediction: Miami should be better with Green at the helm, but the defense is like aged Parmesan and the offense doesn't have enough firepower to keep up with the better teams in the AFC, including division rivals New England and the Jets. Look for the Dolphins to battle Buffalo for third in the AFC East. Record: 6-10.