28-year old Lousaka Polite is one of the better fullbacks in the NBA.  He is a battering ram as a blocker and he is a good short yardage runner.  Polite played in 16 games (9 starts) for the Dolphins last season and he carried the ball 37 times for 123 yards (3.3 ypc).  He also caught 11 passes for 51 yards (4.6 avg) last season.  He has now played in 59 games (17 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 69 times for 234 yards (3.4 ypc).  Polite has also caught 29 passes for 172 yards (5.9 avg) with 1 TD grab in his career.  The Dolphins will continue to run the ball well with Polite acting like an extra lineman in the backfield.  They will also throw him a bone and give him a couple of touches per game as a reward for his blocking.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE DOLPHINS FBs in 2010:  A

28-year old Ronnie Brown and 33-year old Ricky Williams will likely again form one of the best RB tandems in the NFL once again in 2010.  Brown will likely have the lead role for the Dolphins if he can just stay healthy in 2010.  Brown played in 9 games (all starts) for the Dolphins last season in which he carried the ball 147 times for 648 yards (4.4 ypc) with 8 TD runs plus he also caught 14 passes for 98 yards.  Brown also was the QB a lot of the time when the Fins went into the Wildcat.  He completed 2 of 6 passes (33.3%) for 22 yards with 1 TD pass and 0 INTs (84.7 QB Rating) last season for the Fins.  Brown has now played in 60 games (55 starts) in his five years in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 928 times for 4,081 yards (4.4 ypc) with 31 TD runs.  Brown has also caught 151 passes for 1,249 yards (8.3 avg) with 2 TD grabs in his career.  He has also completed 4 of 10 passes (40%) for 63 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 INTs (101.2 QB Rating) in his career.  Brown is a solid all around back but the Dolphins need to get a full 16 game season out of him in 2010.

33-year old Ricky Williams really stepped up last season after the injury to Ronnie Brown.  He played in all 16 games (7 starts) for the Dolphins last season and he carried the ball 241 times for 1,121 yards (4.7 ypc) with 11 TD runs.  Williams also caught 35 passes for 264 yards (7.5 avg) with 2 TD grabs last season.  He has now played in 115 games (84 starts) in his nine years in the NFL and he has carried the ball 2,164 times for 8,892 yards (4.1 ypc) with 62 TD carries.  Williams has also caught 310 passes for 2,382 yards (7.7 avg) with 7 TD grabs in his career.  I’m thinking that Williams will want to end his career with a bang as he is talking of retiring at the end of the 2010 season.  He proved last season that he can still be the main man when needed giving the Dolphins great depth at RB.

27-year old Patrick Cobbs will likely be the Dolphins’ #3 RB in 2010 if he can stay healthy.  He played in 5 games for the Dolphins last season in which he carried the ball 6 times for 36 yards (6.0 avg) and he also caught 3 passes for 23 yards (7.7 avg).  Cobbs also helped out some on special teams for the Fins last season as he returned 16 kickoffs for 361 yards (22.6 avg).  Cobbs has now played in 48 games (2 starts) in his 4 years in the NFL in which he has carried the ball 33 times for 171 yards (5.2 ypc) with 2 TD carries.  Cobbs has also been an effective receiver in his career out of the backfield as he has caught 24 passes for 318 yards (13.3 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  Cobbs also has returned 29 kickoffs for 594 yards (20.5 avg) in his NFL career.  Cobbs is a solid #3 RB for the Fins.

25-year old Lex Hilliard will battle Cobbs for the #3 RB gig on the Fins for 2010.  He played in all 16 games (0 starts) for the Dolphins last season and he carried the ball 23 times for 89 yards (3.9 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Hilliard also caught 20 passes for 158 yards (7.9 avg) with 2 TD grabs in his rookie year in the NFL.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE DOLPHINS’ RBs in 2010:  A

When 24-year old Chad Henne took over for a injured Chad Pennington as the starting QB for the Dolphins in 2009 the team starting winning as they were 7-6 in games he started.  I think a big part of the reason for that was Henne’s right arm which is much stronger than Chad Pennington’s.  With a year under his belt and Brandon Marshall now on board the Dolphins hope that Henne takes another positive step in 2010.  Henne played in 14 games for the Fins last season and he completed 274 of 451 passes (60.8%) for 2,878 yards with 12 TD passes and 14 INTs (75.2 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 16 times for 32 yards (2.0 ypc) with 1 TD run last season for the Fins.  I have a feeling that Henne is going to improve by leaps and bounds in 2010 as he will be getting most of the snaps in training camp and the pre-season to get ready.  He has played in 17 games in his NFL career now and he has completed 281 of 463 passes (60.7%) for 2,945 yards with 12 TD passes and 14 INTs (75.2 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 16 times for 32 yards (2.0 ypc) with 1 TD run in his career.

26-year old Tyler Thigpen comes into camp as the Dolphins’ #2 QB over a rehabbing Chad Pennington.  Thigpen played in 2 games for the Chiefs and Dolphins last season in which he completed 4 of 8 passes (50%) for 83 yards with 1 TD pass and 2 INTs (87.0 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 2 times for 3 yards (1.5 ypc) last season.  Thigpen doesn’t have Pennington’s know how or Henne’s arm but one thing he does do well is run the ball.  Thigpen has now played in 15 games in his NFL career and he has completed 236 of 434 passes (54.4%) for 2,732 yards with 19 TD passes and 15 INTs (73.8 QB Rating).  Thigpen has also carried the ball 64 times for 389 yards (6.1 ypc) with 3 TD runs in his NFL career.  Thigpen’s career record as a starting QB in the NFL is 1-10 (9.1%).

33-year old Chad Pennington is recovering from shoulder surgery and he will start training camp as the Dolphins’ #3 QB.  But, I wouldn’t be surprised if he changed places with Thigpen before September rolls around.  Pennington played in 3 games for the Dolphins last season and he completed 51 of 74 passes (68.9%) for 413 yards with 1 TD pass and 2 INTs (76.0 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 3 times for 7 yards (2.3 ypc) last season.  Pennington didn’t have much of an arm before this surgery on his shoulder so it will be interesting to see how much zip he has on the ball in training camp.  Even if Pennington is near the end of the line it’s good to have him around to help mentor Chad Henne.  Pennington has played in 88 games in his NFL career and he has completed 1,631 of 2,469 passes (66.1%) for 17,804 yards with 102 TD passes and 64 INTs (90.1 QB Rating).  Pennington has also carried the ball 180 times for 465 yards (2.6 ypc) with 7 TD runs in his career.  Pennington has a career record as a starting QB in the NFL of 43-37 (53.8%).

24-year old Pat White might have a hard time making the Dolphins’ roster in 2010.  He was drafted in the 2nd round out of West Virginia last season with the idea of using him in the Wildcat.  White played in 13 games for the Dolphins last season and he was 0 for 5 passing the ball.  He also ran the ball 21 times for 81 yards (3.9 ypc) for the Dolphins last season.  He better improve during training camp if he wants to keep getting paid to play football.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE DOLPHINS’ QBs in 2010:  C+

The Dolphins are three deep in potentially solid QBs for the 2009 season.  Veteran Chad Pennington led the Dolphins to the playoffs last season and he will start again in 2009.  Pennington’s arm is pretty weak but he’s a team leader and he’s excellent on throwing the short stuff.  Chad Henne will be the #2 QB for the Dolphins and he’s the prototype NFL QB with nice size and a good throwing arm.  The Dolphins think Henne would be ready to step in this season if anything were to happen to Pennington.  Rookie Pat White will be the author of the “Wildcat” formation for the Dolphins in 2009.  He’s deadly with his feet and he has a good throwing arm.  He could battle Henne for the starting job down the road if he does well until Pennington is out of the picture.

GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  B

The Dolphins have signed 32-year old QB Chad Pennington to a 2-year, $7.9 million dollar contract.  Pennington will likely be the starting QB for the Dolphins with either John Beck or Josh McCown losing a roster spot before the season starts.  Pennington became available after the Jets acquired Brett Favre in a trade with the Packers.  Pennington played in 9 games (8 starts) with the Jets last season and he completed 179 of 260 passes (68.8%) for 1,765 yards with 10 TD passes and 9 interceptions (86.1 QB Rating). He also carried the football 20 times for 32 yards (1.6 ypc) with 1 TD run last year.    Pennington’s lack of arm strength won’t likely hurt as much in the heat of Miami as it would in the cold conditions in New Jersey.  Pennington has now played in 69 games (61 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 1,259 of 1,919 passes (65.6%) for 13,738 yards with 82 TD passes and 55 interceptions (88.9 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 147 times for 396 yards (2.7 ypc) with 6 TD runs.  You can bet Pennington has the games with the Jets circled on his calendar already as he would like to prove that they made a big mistake in letting him go.

32-year old Jay Feely was almost automatic kicking for the Dolphins last season and they hope it will continue in 2008.  Feely played in 16 games for the Dolphins last season and he was 21 of 23 on field goals (91.3%) and he also made all 26 of his extra point attempts.  The Dolphins really need Feely to be effective in the 2008 season because it’s probable that the offense won’t be high flying.  Feely has now played in 112 games in his NFL career and he has hit 177 of 219 field goals (80.8%) and 249 of 251 extra points (99.2%).  Look for him to have a solid 2008 season for the Dolphins.

The Dolphins have 4 decent tight ends but none of them are elite.  6’4″, 265 pound Anthony Fasano tops the depth chart for the Fins heading into training camp.  That’s because Bill Parcells drafted him in Dallas and he brought him over in a trade that happened the day before this year’s NFL Draft.  Fasano played in 16 games (6 starts) for the Cowboys last season and he caught 14 passes for 143 yards (10.2 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Look for the Dolphins to get Fasano the ball more than the Cowboys’ did last season.  Fasano has now played in 32 games (11 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 28 passes for 269 yards (9.6 avg) with 1 TD grab.

6’4″, 255 pound Justin Peelle’s best asset is his blocking but he does have decent hands.  Peelle played in 16 games (10 starts) for the Dolphins last season and he caught 29 passes for 228 yards (7.9 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  He might see his catches drop a little bit this season due to the depth the Dolphins have at TE now.  Peelle has now played in 93 games (39 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 85 passes for 614 yards (7.2 avg) with 7 TD grabs.

6’4″, 265 pound David Martin was the best receiver at TE that the Dolphins had last season.  He played in 15 games (all starts) for the Dolphins last season and he caught 34 passes for 303 yards (8.9 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  Martin will also have to fight for every pass this season due to the Fins’ new depth chart which has him listed #3.  Martin has now played in 85 games (36 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 121 passes for 1,069 yards (8.8 avg) with 11 TD grabs.

6’5″, 265 pound Sean Ryan is a good blocker but the Jets’ didn’t use him much in the passing game last season.  Ryan played in 10 games (1 start) last season with the Jets and he caught 3 passes for 46 yards (15.3 avg).  He will have a hard time making the team this season unless he helps out on special teams.  Ryan has now played in 35 games (6 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 9 passes for 90 yards (10.0 avg).

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C

The Miami Dolphins don’t look much better heading into this season than last at WR.  2nd year man Ted Ginn Jr. will be the deep threat for the Fins in 2008 but he better play better than last season because the Dolphins passed up on Brady Quinn to draft him.  Ginn has big time speed but he’s soft as a roll of charmin as he can get tackled by a stiff wind.  Ginn played in 16 games (9 starts) for the Dolphins as a rookie last season and he caught 34 passes for 420 yards (12.4 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  The Dolphins expect much more out of him both in 2008 and in the future.

6’4″, 218 pound Ernest Wilford was brought in to handle the dirty work over the middle for the Dolphins this season.  He played in 16 games (14 starts) for the Jaguars last season and he caught 45 passes for 518 yards (11.5 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  Look for Wilford to have the best season of his career in 2008 as he will likely get more passes thrown to him than ever before.  Wilford has now played in 63 games (37 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 141 passes for 1,994 yards (14.1 avg) with 14 TD catches.

Derek Hagan will be the #3 WR for the Dolphins this season.  He has good hands but he’s not the fastest WR around so he will likely work underneath patterns and take some hits to make some grabs.  Hagan is 6’2″, 203 pounds so he should be able to handle the beating that he will definately take this season.  Hagan played in 16 games (1 start) for the Dolphins last season and he caught 29 passes for 373 yards (12.9 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  Look for Hagan to catch the most passes of his career this season as he has moved up the depth chart.  He has now played in 32 games (1 start) in his career with the Dolphins and he has caught 50 passes for 594 yards (11.9 avg) with 3 TD grabs.

Greg Camarillo made the biggest catch of last season for the Dolphins as it was a game winning grab against the Ravens.  The only game the Fins won last season.  He is only 6’1″, 190 pounds but he’s sneaky quick which should help him avoid taking a lot of big hits.  Camarillo played in 15 games (0 starts) for the Dolphins last season and he caught 8 passes for 160 yards (20.0 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  Camarillo played in 4 games in the NFL before last season and he didn’t touch the ball.  Look for Camarillo to battle Derek Hagan for the #3 WR role in 2008.

6’2″, 192 pound veteran David Kircus could be a surprise in the pre season and training camp this year.  He hasn’t played in the NFL since the 2006 season with the Denver Broncos.  He has played in 28 games (2 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 15 passes for 308 yards (20.5 avg) with 1 TD grab.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  D

The Miami Dolphins expect the fullback to block in the running game and that’s about it.  With that in mind they should feel real happy with what they have.  23-year old Reagan Mauia will be the starting fullback this season and having him in there is like having a guard in the backfield as he stands 6’0″, 270 pounds.  Mauia played in all 16 games (9 starts) as a rookie for the Dolphins last season and he carried the ball 4 times for 5 yards (1.3 ypc).  He also caught 2 passes for 5 yards (2.5 avg).  Mauia also helps out on special teams.

Converted linebacker Boomer Grigsby is the backup at fullback this season for the Fins.  Grigsby is 26-years old and he has the size to be a decent fullback at 5’11″, 249 pounds.  Grigsby played in 13 games (1 start) for the Chiefs last season and he made 5 tackles.  He has now played in 44 games (1 start) in his NFL career and he has 32 tackles.  It will be interesing to see how well Grigsby adjusts to his new role.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C

The Miami Dolphins want to be a power running team and they have the backs to succeed at that type of ball if they get the blocking and can stay healthy.  Ronnie Brown was off to a great start last season before suffering a major injury that ended his year early.  He is a good runner and receiver but the Dolphins’ need him to be more durable.  If he is, the Dolphins will just keep feeding him the football.  Brown played in 7 games (all starts) last season for the Dolphins and he carried the ball 119 times for 602 yards (5.1 ypc) with 4 TD runs.  He also caught 39 passes for 389 yards (10.0 avg) with 1 TD run.  Look for Brown to add to his impressive career numbers this season as Miami’s main man on offense.  Brown has now played in 35 games (33 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 567 times for 2,517 yards (4.4 ypc) with 13 TD runs.  He has also caught 104 passes for 897 yards (8.6 avg) with 2 TD grabs.

Ricky Williams is back and he’s drug free for at least this moment.  The Dolphins hope he will be able to give Ronnie Brown a break once in a while as the #2 RB on the team.  Williams only played in 1 game (0 starts) for the Dolphins last season and he carried the football 6 times for 15 yards (2.5 ypc) before suffering a season ending injury.  The Dolphins aren’t expecting him to play to his previous levels as he has been out of action most of the last two seasons.  Williams has now played in 83 games (73 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 1,763 times for 7,112 yards (4.0 ypc) with 47 TD runs.  He also has caught 246 passes for 1,899 yards (7.7 avg) with 4 TD grabs.

Rookie RB Jalen Parmele will likely be the #3 back for the Dolphins as a rookie.  He is a power runner who should fit right in with the new style of the offense that the Fins will be running in 2008.  It’s quite possible that he will get a lot of playing time as a rookie due to Ronnie Brown’s fragile past and Ricky Williams being rusty.

Patrick Cobbs will likely be #4 in line for carries this season.  He doesn’t bring much to the table as evidenced by his production in limited playing time.  Cobbs played in 14 games (0 starts) for the Dolphins last season and he carried the ball 15 times for 47 yards (3.1 ypc) with 1 TD run.  He also caught 2 passes for 20 yards (10.0 avg).  Cobbs played 3 games (0 starts) previous to last season and he didn’t touch the football.

Rookie Lex Hilliard of Montana might be able to beat out Patrick Cobbs for a spot on the roster.  He’s a physical fullback type as he’s a decent runner, receiver and blocker.  The big question is….can he handle the jump in competition?  We will find out in training camp.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B-