2003 DOLPHINS
	Jay Fiedler threw 14 TDs and eight INTs last season.
	Head coach: Dave Wannstedt (4th year). 2002 record: 9-7. AFC East finish: 3rd. Season opener: Sept. 7 vs. Texans. Schedule | Depth chart

Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas doesn't think the 2002 Miami Dolphins were all that different from the Buccaneers' squad that won Super Bowl XXXVII.

"We've got talent too," said Thomas, one of Miami's seven Pro Bowl selections last season. "We just haven't put it together."

If the Dolphins don't do that this year, head coach Dave Wannstedt probably will be looking for employment elsewhere. The Dolphins were arguably the NFL's most talented squad not to make the playoffs last season, finishing 9-7 after once again fading late in the season.

Although the Dolphins had every '02 starter under contract at one point this offseason, the feeling that Miami is close to a world championship prompted Wannstedt to make a series of veteran acquisitions. Weak-side linebacker Junior Seau, strong safety Sammy Knight, cornerback Terrell Buckley and defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina are expected to upgrade what was already one of the NFL's top defenses. Ex-Broncos quarterback Brian Griese also was signed to provide insurance behind Jay Fiedler, who watched from the sideline with a fractured thumb for six starts last season as the Dolphins went 2-4 under backup Ray Lucas.

"It's different if you don't add anybody and you say you're close at 9-7," Thomas said. "If we didn't make the additions we did, you wouldn't be as excited. Everybody is excited."

Offense
Quarterbacks: Fiedler looks much more comfortable in his second year in offensive coordinator Norv Turner's system. Although he's 28-13 as a starter since replacing the retired Dan Marino in 2000, two of Fiedler's first three seasons in Miami were marred by injuries. Enter Griese, who was signed as a one-year insurance policy after being released by the Broncos. There has been speculation about a possible quarterback controversy during the offseason, but the fact of the matter is, Griese signed so late that he isn't expected to have absorbed Turner's offense until the end of the preseason, and now he is sidelined with ligament damage in his left big toe. Quarterback Sage Rosenfels could be Miami's top backup in '04.
Grade: B-minus.

Running backs: After rushing for an NFL-high 1,853 yards, it will be hard for RB Ricky Williams to match his spectacular '02 campaign. Williams, though, will have an even bigger part in Miami's offense this year as the team's third-down back, which is a role he didn't assume until late last season. Travis Minor has proven himself a competent backup but may not have the size to carry the entire running game if Williams were to get injured. Leonard Henry, a 2002 seventh-round draft pick, won the third-string role. Starting fullback Rob Konrad, who is a solid all-around player, was signed to a four-year contract extension in the offseason. Konrad's backup likely will be ex-Baltimore starter Obafemi Ayanbadejo, as Deon Dyer was traded to Houston for a 2004 conditional draft pick.
Grade: A.

Receivers: Although he led the team in receiving last season, Chris Chambers' second NFL season was considered something of a disappointment. Chambers wasn't comfortable in the possession-type role he assumed after Oronde Gadsden suffered a season-ending wrist injury, which resulted in a noticeable drop in per-catch average (18.4 yards in 2001 to 14.1 in '02) and touchdowns (seven to three). The free-agent acquisition of Derrius Thompson should again allow Chambers to become more of a deep threat. Thompson, who caught 53 passes for Washington in '02, bumped incumbent James McKnight out of the starting lineup on the third day of training camp. McKnight is the team's fastest receiver, but youngsters J.R. Tolver and Sam Simmons could push him for playing time. The Dolphins expect significant improvement not only from Chambers, but also from tight end Randy McMichael. Although his receiving totals (39 catches, 485 yards, four touchdowns) ranked second only to Jeremy Shockey's among rookie tight ends in 2002, McMichael caught only nine passes in the final six games.
Grade: B-minus.

Offensive linemen: The exact same starting unit that opened holes for Williams in '02 is back. The biggest area of concern is at left tackle, where the Dolphins have Mark Dixon back after being unable to upgrade the position via free agency. The injury-prone Dixon already was forced to miss the final three exhibition games because of ankle surgery, which pushed '03 third-round pick Wade Smith into the starting lineup. Smith shows all the signs of being Miami's left tackle of the future, but he only played tackle for two years at Memphis and still needs to add bulk to his 6-foot-4, 300-pound frame. Left guard Jamie Nails appears en route to a full recovery from a ruptured Achilles' tendon. Center/guard Seth McKinney is a capable backup behind Nails, center Tim Ruddy and right guard Todd Perry. Right tackle Todd Wade is a solid starter.
Grade: B.

Defense
Defensive linemen: Like Williams, right end Jason Taylor has set a high standard for himself after logging a league-best 18½2 sacks in '02. But Taylor has looked fantastic in the preseason and should draw enough double-teams to help create opportunities for left end Adewale Ogunleye (9½2 sacks in '02). Defensive tackle Tim Bowens, a 2002 Pro Bowl selection, and defensive tackle Larry Chester provide 600-plus pounds of run-stuffing prowess. Zgonina will likely receive significant playing time, especially in pass-rush situations. Jay Williams and Rob Burnett provide excellent depth at end.
Grade: A.

Linebackers: The fact that San Diego traded arguably the most popular player in franchise history indicates the Chargers believe Seau is on the decline at age 34. The Dolphins -- and Seau -- believe he will prove San Diego wrong now that he has recovered from an ankle injury that marred his '02 season. Even with the acquisition of Seau, Thomas remains the key cog in the defense. The Dolphins hoped '03 second-round pick Eddie Moore would compete with Morlon Greenwood for a starting spot. But Moore is likely out for the season following foot surgery, which greatly affects the unit's depth.
Grade: A-minus.

Defensive backs: The Dolphins field arguably the NFL's most talented secondary, with three starters (free safety Brock Marion and cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison) reaching the Pro Bowl last season and a fourth (Knight) who has been there before. Knight's penchant for generating turnovers is a major reason why he moved ahead of '02 starter Arturo Freeman, who failed to record an interception or force a fumble last season. The signing of Buckley and improvement from Jamar Fletcher, Miami's '01 first-round pick, will make a difference in the team's nickel and dime packages.
Grade: A.

Special teams
Charlie Rogers, who was signed as a free agent from Buffalo, should give Miami a major upgrade as a return man. Placekicker Olindo Mare seems ready to rebound from a subpar '02 season in which he made a career-low 77.4 percent of his field goals. At age 38, punter Mark Royals doesn't have a strong leg but he generally has good accuracy. Long snapper Ed Perry was lost for the season to a knee injury, but Sean McDermott appears to be a capable replacement.
Grade: B.

Alex Marvez covers the Dolphins for the Sun-Sentinel in Florida.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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