2001 DOLPHINS
	Jay Fiedler led the Dolphins to 11 wins last year.
	Head coach: Dave Wannstedt (2nd year). 2000 record: 11-5. AFC East finish: 1st. 2001 preseason: 2-2. Season opener: Sept. 9 at Titans. Schedule | Depth chart

The Dolphins have been a model of NFL consistency for the past four years -- and it isn't good enough in South Florida.

Miami has reached the second round of the playoffs for three straight years and enters the 2001 season with the most consecutive weeks (65) at .500 or better of any team in the league. But until the Dolphins reach their first Super Bowl since the 1984 season, such achievements won't be enough to impress a fan base that grew spoiled by the annual success of ex-coaches Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson.

Hoping to take that next step, the Dolphins focused on upgrading their offense by adding speed at wide receiver with free-agent signings James McKnight (Cowboys) and Dedric Ward (Jets) and selecting former University of Wisconsin blazer Chris Chambers in the second round of the draft. The Dolphins also have 10 starters returning from one of the NFL's best defenses and were able to re-sign Olindo Mare to an NFL-record contract (six years, $12 million) for a kicker.

The key now is whether the Dolphins can finish with a good enough record to secure a first-round playoff bye and possible home-field advantage. Otherwise, a team that was outscored 127-10 in its last three second-round postseason games might find history repeating itself again.

Offense
Quarterbacks: Jay Fiedler has enjoyed an excellent preseason, completing 81 percent of his passes (17-of-21) for 276 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the team's first three exhibition games. But while looking markedly more comfortable than he did in his first season as Miami's starter, Fiedler still has plenty to prove. He must show he can stay healthy and eliminate dumb mistakes, especially when throwing into zone coverage. Otherwise, the Dolphins likely will let Fiedler leave via free agency in the offseason and look for a new starter. Ray Lucas was signed away from the Jets to serve as Fiedler's backup. Lucas also could see action in short-yardage and goal-line packages, as offensive coordinator Chan Gailey likes Lucas' mobility and wants to give opposing defenses something more to worry about. The Dolphins recently traded for third-year quarterback Cade McNown, who struggled mightily during his time in Chicago.
Grade: C.

Running backs: Lamar Smith's 1,139 rushing yards last season was the highest total for a Dolphins running back since '78. Being in the final year of his contract, Smith is even hungrier for success in 2001. Backup J.J. Johnson is projected as Miami's third-down back, but he missed most of training camp with a knee injury. That opened the door for rookie Travis Minor and plugger Autry Denson to receive more playing time. At fullback, Rob Konrad seems ready to assume a bigger role in the passing game. Backup Deon Dyer is a good short-yardage blocker.
Grade: B.

Receivers: McKnight is a late bloomer who, like Smith, enjoyed his best NFL season in 2000 with 52 catches for 926 yards. McKnight's forte is his speed, which was evident on a 72-yard reception in a preseason loss to San Diego. Chambers will enter the regular season as Miami's third receiver behind McKnight and Oronde Gadsden, who makes amends for below-average speed with his size (6-2, 215 pounds) and excellent hands. Ward, who missed most of the preseason with a foot injury, and Jeff Ogden will serve as Miami's fourth and fifth receivers, respectively.
Grade: B-minus.

		The key is the play of Jay Fiedler in the passing game down the field. The Dolphins have some speed on the outside, with James McKnight and rookie Chris Chambers. Fiedler needs to play a little bit better and more of a playmaker to be able to hit the big ball or make the big play when needed in the game. The Dolphins have good possession receivers and have found a productive running back in Lamar Smith. The offensive line is questionable. Brent Smith is done for the year with his Achilles injury, and Richmond Webb is gone. Their defense, however, is still great. So Fiedler and his ability to go down the field will be critical to them getting to the next level.

Offensive linemen: The Dolphins were willing to let left tackle Richmond Webb, an 11-year starter, leave via free agency because Brent Smith was waiting in the wings. The strategy backfired when Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury in his first training-camp practice. Marcus Spriggs and Spencer Folau are now competing to fill the spot. The other change on the line is at right guard, where Todd Perry was signed from Chicago to replace Kevin Donnalley (Carolina). Center Tim Ruddy is coming off a Pro Bowl season, while right tackle Todd Wade should be even better after earning All-Rookie honors in 2000. Left guard Mark Dixon is among the NFL's best when healthy. Depth is a major concern.
Grade: B.

Defense
Defensive linemen: Miami's only major offseason loss was the free-agent defection of Trace Armstrong, whose 161z2-sack season in 2000 earned him a lucrative offer from Oakland. The Dolphins couldn't match the deal because they needed the money to sign Pro Bowl DE Jason Taylor to a six-year, $42 million contract extension. Kenny Mixon and Lorenzo Bromell are competing to replace Armstrong as Miami's designated pass rusher. Mixon, who starts at left end, dropped 25 pounds in the offseason in hopes of improving his speed. Bromell has 15 sacks in his first three seasons, but his development was slowed by having to play both tackle and end rather than focusing on one position. Defensive tackles Daryl Gardener and Tim Bowens are among the NFL's best - when healthy. Gardener underwent back surgery early last season and wasn't the same player upon his return. He lost 40 pounds in the offseason, hoping it would alleviate pressure on his back and improve his quickness. Bowens, whose strength is stuffing the run, didn't play in any exhibition games because of knee problems, though he is expected back for the regular-season opener at Tennessee. Depth along the line is outstanding.
Grade: A-minus.

Linebackers: Pro Bowl middle linebacker Zach Thomas is hoping the right-ankle injuries that maligned his 2000 season are behind him. Thomas missed five full games, a main reason the Dolphins finished 14th against the run. Weakside linebacker Derrick Rodgers finally began emerging as an impact player in his fourth NFL season, earning him a new four-year, $10 million contract. The Dolphins are praying that Thomas and Rodgers stay healthy, as the unit's depth is miserable. The Dolphins also have major questions at strong-side linebacker, as injuries kept Scott Galyon and 2001 third-round pick Morlon Greenwood on the sideline for much of training camp. Twan Russell, who is considered primarily a special-teams player, is likely to get the starting nod entering the season.
Grade: B.

Defensive backs: The Dolphins have arguably the best and deepest secondary in football, with two starters selected to the 2000 Pro Bowl (cornerback Sam Madison and free safety Brock Marion) and two others (cornerback Patrick Surtain and strong safety Brian Walker) who played at that level. Cornerback Ben Kelly, a third-round pick in 2000, was the biggest surprise in training camp with his improved coverage skills. Kelly and 2001 first-round pick Jamar Fletcher are competing for Miami's nickel-back role. Arturo Freeman, who was set to start until Marion was re-signed in June, is projected to serve as Miami's nickel safety.
Grade: A.

Special teams
Mare has made 87.0 percent of his field-goal attempts the past two seasons but now must adjust to having P Matt Turk as his holder. Turk hopes to rebound from a so-so 2000 campaign. Kelly (punts) and Chambers (kickoffs) are the projected returners.
Grade: B-plus.

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

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com