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Randy Starks
MIDSEASON REPORT: DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
With the Dolphins having reached the halfway mark of the 2009 season, we examine the highlights and lowlights of the first eight games. In this installment, we focus on the defense and special teams.
By ALAIN POUPART
Dolphin Digest Associate Editor
The Dolphins defense had their hands full in the first half of the season trying to deal with quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady. The results have been mixed, with the Dolphins ranking fifth in the league against the run but 22nd against the pass.
On special teams, the Dolphins have been fairly effective all season, with kicker Dan Carpenter, punter Brandon Fields and the kick coverage units all doing a solid job.
THE BIG STORY: One major story on defense has been rookie cornerbacks Sean Smith and Vontae Davis, who found themselves starting together after Will Allen sustained a season-ending knee injury in the loss to New Orleans. But that development has taken a back seat to the string of big plays given up by the pass defense - the opponent has produced a pass play of 50 yards or more in six of the first eight games.
On special teams, the big story was the Ted Ginn Jr. explosion in the game at the Meadowlands when he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns at the end of a week where he was heavily criticized for dropped passes.
BIGGEST SURPRISE: We probably shouldn't be surprised by anything that Jason Taylor does, but with 5.5 sacks through eight games he's on pace to finish the season with 11. That's more than anybody had a right to expect from a 35-year-old playing a new position and coming off an injury-riddled season.
On special teams, it would have to be Ginn's game at the Meadowlands because Ginn wasn't even the kickoff returner at the start of the season and because it came against a Jets team that's traditionally among the best in the league in the kicking game.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Joey Porter was the biggest difference-maker on defense for the Dolphins in 2008, but he has been a non-factor for most of this season. In his defense, he has been slowed by a nagging hamstring injury, but the Dolphins still need more out of him.
On special teams, the biggest disappointment through the first six games was the return game, but it's hard to complain anymore after the game against the Jets. Outside of Davone Bess' muffed punt in that same game and an 87-yard kickoff return given up to the Saints, it's been a pretty solid showing by the special teams.
BEST GAME: The 38-10 victory over Buffalo would seem the obvious choice on defense, but based on the opposition, what the Dolphins did in the opener at Atlanta was more impressive. That day, the Dolphins held the Falcons to 281 total yards and shut down Michael Turner. The defense kept the Dolphins in the game despite a terrible performance by the offense.
On special teams, we again have to go back to the Jets game and Ginn's two touchdowns. That more than offset Bess' fumble.
BEST PLAY: There aren't as many choices as the Dolphins would like, but we'll give the nod to another play in the second Jets game, the one where Paul Soliai stripped rookie running back Shonn Greene, Jason Taylor picked up the loose ball and ran 48 yards for a touchdown.
On special teams, you know it's got to be one of Ginn's touchdowns, and the second one clearly was more impressive because he had to sidestep a couple of would-be tacklers early in the play.
FIRST-HALF MVP: It might be tempting to go with Taylor, who does lead the team in sacks, but the reality is that the Dolphins' best and most consistent defensive player in the first half of the season was end Randy Starks. He leads all the team's linemen in tackles and is second on the team with 4.5 sacks. He also made two huge plays to clinch the victory at the Meadowlands, stopping Mark Sanchez when he scrambled with an open path to the end zone and then sacking him on the next play.
On special teams, Ginn gets the nod over kicker Dan Carpenter because two kickoff returns for touchdowns is a good season, let alone a good game.
SECOND-HALF FORECAST: The Dolphins won't have to face as many top-tier quarterbacks, or as many top-flight tight ends, in the second half of the season, and that should make things easier. But Miami will continue to have problems if the pass rush doesn't become consistent and the breakdowns in the secondary -- primarily when it comes to missed tackles -- don't stop.
On special teams, the Dolphins actually would be happy if they can continue the work they started in the first eight games. It will be interesting to see whether Ginn can build off what he accomplished in that memorable game against the Jets.
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