2002 RECORD: 9-7 TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (3rd); Offense (15th) ADDITIONS: Free agents -- LB Junior Seau (Chargers), WR Derrius Thompson (Redskins), CB Terrell Buckley (Patriots), TE Marco Battaglia (Steelers), DT Jeff Zgonina (Rams), KR Charlie Rogers (Bills), S Sammy Knight (Saints). Draft picks -- No first-rounder. 2. OLB Eddie Moore (Tennessee); 3a. OT Wade Smith (Memphis); 3b. OG Taylor Whitley (Texas A&M); 5a. TE Donald Lee (Mississippi St.); 5b. WR J.R. Tolver (San Diego St.); 6a. Corey Jenkins (South Carolina); 6b. OT Tim Provost (San Jose St.); 6c. CB Yeremiah Bell (Eastern Kentucky); 7. DT Davern Williams (Troy St.). SUBTRACTIONS: WR Dedric Ward (Pats), LB Twan Russell (Falcons), OG Jim Bundren (released), OG James Wagstaff (released), WR Joey Getherall (released), CB Ray Green (Giants), WR Albert Johnson (Jets), TE Desmond Clark (Bears), TE Jed Weaver (49ers), OT David Sherrod (released), DT Jermaine Haley (Redskins), QB Ray Lucas (released), LB Derrick Rodgers (Saints). Team news | Roster | More on Dolphins draft

		Tue., May 27 Is Brian Griese the missing element that will finally put Miami over the top? No, because he will only come in as a backup and will have only three months to learn a new offense, only the second he has had to learn since joining the league. The good news is that Griese won't be as lost as Ray Lucas was last year when he came in with three bad starts that ultimately cost the Dolphins a playoff berth. Jay Fiedler may not be a 16-game quarterback because he has a tendency to get injured, so better backups are needed. The Dolphins are trying a different method to fight their tendency to fade in December. They are signing veteran leaders -- Junior Seau, Sammy Knight, Jeff Zgonina, Terrell Buckley and others. It will be those players more than Griese who will determine if the Dolphins are going to get over the top and get to a championship game.

Let's get this straight. The Dolphins had the league's leading rusher (Ricky Williams), top sack man (Jason Taylor) and most prolific tackler (Zach Thomas) last year, but still missed the playoffs? How exactly does that happen?

Talent certainly isn't an issue in Miami.The aforementioned stars were just three of six Dolphins to make last year's Pro Bowl. And with the additions of perennial Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau and safety Sammy Knight, the 2003 squad will be deeper. Yet, the Dolphins are coming off a season in which they failed to crack 10 victories.

Right or wrong, the pressure will be on head coach Dave Wannstedt this season. He's won just one playoff game since taking over for Jimmy Johnson in 2000 and has not figured out the team's disturbing trend of falling flat down the stretch. In fact, his play-calling contributed to last year's collapse considering his team had a 11-point fourth-quarter lead in the season finale at New England and he shied away from utilizing Williams, an 1,800-yard rusher. Another early playoff exit or worse could put an end to his tenure with the Dolphins.

What they've added?
Miami must be taking a page from the championship books of Baltimore, New England and Tampa Bay -- stock up on defensive talent and gamble that you have just enough offense to capture the Lombardi Trophy.

The Dolphins added depth at linebacker by signing Seau, who missed three games last year with an ankle injury but still plays with a lot of passion. They've also loaded up in the secondary by acquiring Knight. Add defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina as Jermaine Haley's replacement and you have a defense talented enough to improve on last year's No. 3 ranking.

The biggest and most anticipated addition Brian Griese, son of former Dolphins quarterback Bob. The Dolphins not only get their most talented backup for Jay Fiedler, but a potential starter who has posted Pro Bowl numbers in the past.

In addition, the Dolphins have tried to provide more security for Fiedler, drafting three linemen (tackles Wade Smith and Tim Provost, and guard Taylor Whitley), signing tight end Marco Battaglia and drafting another one (Donald Lee). Special teams should also get a boost with the signing of returner Charlie Rogers.

Fantasy Focus

Fantasy defenses are volatile picks as the top ones vary from season to season. Last year, the Bears were taken in the eighth round as the second overall defense in average ESPN live drafts. Yet they struggled and finished No. 25, lending credence that fantasy defenses should be selected late. One defense that remains consistently strong, though, is Miami's. Sacks and turnovers produce the majority of points for fantasy defenses, and Miami has players to do both. Jason Taylor led the NFL in sacks and the Dolphins' secondary is one of the NFL's best, capable of many interceptions. Bolstered by offseason signings of linebacker Junior Seau and safety Sammy Knight, the Miami defense is a safe choice. -- Roger Rotter, ESPN.com Fantasy editor

What they're missing?
At this point, not much. They released backup quarterback Ray Lucas, but Griese's arrival will solve that problem. And the additions up front should keep the line play solid. But if there is an offensive concern, it's at wide receiver.

Chris Chambers, who was sidelined a couple of games last year, is undoubtedly their No. 1 option. However, the releasing of Dedric Ward and expected departure of Oronde Gadsden means that James McKnight and newcomer Derrius Thompson will compete for the other starting job.

Defensively, they're set. They have balance up front, at linebacker and in the secondary. In fact, they're so deep in spots that linebacker Derrick Rodgers was traded to New Orleans.

What it all means?
Who knows? The Dolphins look great on paper and generally even better during the season's first two months. But then, they suffer that ugly loss to the Jets or Bills, get bit by the injury bug and see things unravel in November and December. Based on the schedule, it's not far-fetched for a repeat of the "quick start, bad finish" routine.

Three of their first five games are on the road at Jacksonville and home contests against Houston and Buffalo. But in December, they travel to New England and Buffalo, and play host to the Jets and Eagles. Even if they look like a sure-bet playoff team late in November, fans and perhaps players will hold their breath until a berth is secured.

All that said, the Dolphins should make the postseason. Until last year, they were a perennial playoff team and were actually eyeing the AFC's top seed after beating Oakland in Week 15. But unlike 1972 when Don Shula led Miami to the "perfect season," the NFL regular season campaign is now 16 games -- not 14. The Dolphins easily have enough talent to win it all … but they have to make the playoffs first.

James C. Black is an NFL editor for ESPN.com.