| Nick Saban begins year number two with
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| | will team with returner Jeno James at
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| fresh faces and a new offensive
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| | guard, but McKinney could land here as
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| coordinator in Mike Mularkey. The former
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| | well. Vernon Carey and Damion McIntosh
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| Bills coach takes over for the departed
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| | return at tackle but free agents L.J.
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| Scott Linehan, the new head coach of the
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| | Shelton (Browns) and Mike Pearson
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| St. Louis Rams. Optimism reigns supreme
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| | (Jaguars) are in the mix as well.Defense:
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| in Miami as Saban turned a 3-13 team the
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| | This is an aging defense even with Junior
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| year before into a 9-7 one last season.
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| | Seau gone, particularly on the line.
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| With a veteran cast returning, along with
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| | Ageless wonder Jason Taylor (12 sacks)
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| key free agent pickups, many feel the
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| | and Kevin Carter (six sacks) return at
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| Dolphins are legitimate playoff
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| | defensive end, but look out for high
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| contenders in 2006.Offense: The biggest
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| | energy Matt Roth to get even more playing
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| acquisition of the off season was
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| | time in 2006. Vonnie Holliday (five
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| grabbing Daunte Culpepper from the
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| | sacks) and Keith Traylor man the tackle
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| Minnesota Vikings. Gone is Gus Frerotte,
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| | spots with Jeff Zgonina providing
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| who did a respectable job as the starter
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| | adequate backup. Manuel Wright and rookie
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| last season and in comes Culpepper.
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| | Rodrique Wright provide youthful
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| There's no question when he's healthy,
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| | legs.Zach Thomas continues to defy father
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| Culpepper is one of the best in the game.
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| | time and looks to put up another
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| But a devastating knee injury, where he
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| | outstanding season on the boards. Thomas
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| suffered damage to three ligaments, may
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| | led the team with 166 tackles from his
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| keep him off the field on opening day.To
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| | middle linebacker slot and shows no signs
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| correct that problem the Dolphins made a
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| | of slowing down. On the outside, emerging
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| trade for Joey Harrington (2,021 yards,
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| | star Channing Crowder (90 tackles) could
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| 12 touchdowns), who wore out his welcome
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| | have a break out year and Donnie Spragan
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| in Detroit. The former number two overall
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| | is solid if not spectacular. Eddie Moore
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| selection hasn't lived up to his draft
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| | is a quality backup.The secondary is in a
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| status, but could be reborn with Saban in
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| | state of flux after a turbulent off
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| Miami. Either way, he'll be an adequate
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| | season. Gone are safety Lance Shulters
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| backup and an upgrade over Sage
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| | and corners Sam Madison and Reggie
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| Rosenfels.Ricky Williams was suspended
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| | Howard. Travis Daniels will man one
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| again so he took his papers and bong to
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| | corner spot while free agent signees Will
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| Canada for a year. No matter, second year
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| | Allen (Giants), Renaldo Hill (Raiders)
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| man Ronnie Brown will be handed the
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| | and Andre Goodman (Lions) will compete
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| reigns of the feature back role and
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| | for the other. Tavaris Tillman returns at
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| should do well. The Auburn standout
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| | strong safety, while Yeremiah Bell and
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| rushed for 907 yards and four scores
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| | number one draft pick, Jason Allen, will
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| splitting time with Ricky last season.
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| | battle for the free safety spot.Special
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| Travis Minor will be his principle
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| | Teams: Olindo Mare had another great
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| backup. Fred Beasley didn't leave his
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| | season, scoring 108 points on 25-30 field
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| heart in San Francisco and will help
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| | goals and 33-33 on extra points. You
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| Brown immensely at fullback. Beasley has
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| | can't find many better or more consistent
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| decent hands and is a solid blocker.The
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| | then him. Donnie Jones looks to improve
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| Dolphins have two good starters, but not
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| | on his solid 43.5 yards per punt last
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| much depth after that at the wide
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| | season and Wes Welker is an exciting
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| receiver position. Chris Chambers
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| | return man (22.6 KR; 9.1 PR).Outlook:
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| (82-1,118-11) had a breakout year last
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| | Nick Saban is one of the best young
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| season and Marty Booker is a solid number
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| | coaches in the business and he'll have
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| two guy. Behind them rookies Derek Hagan
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| | the Dolphins fighting for a playoff spot.
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| and Devin Aromashodu will be asked to
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| | The Culpepper injury situation, coupled
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| play key roles.Randy McMichael is one of
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| | with an aging defense and instability in
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| the best receiving tight ends in the game
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| | the secondary will keep them from
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| and proved it again last season with 60
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| | catching New England in the
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| receptions and five TDs. Justin Peele was
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| | division.Prediction: Saban has picked
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| brought in from San Diego to be a blocker
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| | Miami out of the cellar and restored
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| in running situations.There is plenty of
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| | confidence in the fans, the city and the
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| competition on the offensive line and
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| | team. The Dolphins are still a couple of
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| it's here where the most spirited battles
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| | pieces away from being a serious
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| will take place. Rex Hadnot is the
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| | contender, but a wild card berth is not
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| incumbent center, but Seth McKinney
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| | out of the question in 2006. Miami
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| returns from injury and will challenge.
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| | finishes 9-7 or 10-6.
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| Free agent signee Bennie Anderson (Bills)
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