When the Miami Dolphins take the field on September 12, 2010, Dolfans around the world will witness a completely different team from the one they saw play in 2009. I remember when the season ended, Jason Ferguson said in an interview what he believed would happen in the offseason.  Ferguson did not hesitate to say that when the Trifecta did not get the results they wanted, they made changes. Ferguson could not have been more right and the Miami Dolphins have made several moves this offseason that has turned the 2010 Miami Dolphins into a completely new team.

The changes began as soon as the season ended. It all started when the Fins fired defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. The achilles heel of the ’09 Miami Dolphins was their defense, which finished the year ranked 22^nd among 32 teams. So, firing the man responsible for directing the plays of the defense was understood and welcomed by fans.  Obviously, Pasqualoni was not the only one responsible for how bad the defense played, after all Paul only called the plays.  The blame also had to be put on the players who gave up the big plays and scores on Sundays.

During the ’09 season one thing haunted the Fins: the inability of their safeties and linebackers to cover wide receivers and tight ends. Miami‘s defense gave up 234.6 yards per game and their defense ranked 24^th against the pass.  They also gave up 24.4 points per game ranking 25^th in the league. That is the reason why when free agency began it was no surprise to see Miami get rid of Gibril Wilson and Akin Ayodele.  Wilson was one of Miami’s high-priced acquisitions in 2009 and the safety became a huge bust. Gibril could not cover anyone on the field and missed several costly tackles.  Ayodele would also be shown the door and it was due In part to him being slow and his lack of coverage skills.

Miami was not done, and that is why they also released their 2008 sack master, Joey Porter. Porter became angry in Miami after being suspended for a game for violating team rules. He also refused to come of the field to let younger players play. During Super Bowl week he trashed talked the Fins and bought his ticket out of Miami. That is why after a year in which his performance digressed, it was no surprise to see this disgruntled linebacker get released.

The Dolphins would go on to lose cornerback Nate Jones in free agency when the sides did not agree on a contract and Jones signed with Denver.  They also waved good bye to long time Dolphins’ legend, now enemy, Jason Taylor. Jason wanted a definite answer from Miami, but Miami stood their ground and informed him they would not discuss a contract until after the season. Jason decided to sign with rival New York Jets and the rest is history.

Before the 2010 NFL draft, the Fins would also trade Ted Ginn Jr., after trading for Brandon Marshall. Miami received a 5^th round pick from the 49ers and shipped the once first round pick to the Niners. Ginn showed no testicular fortitude on the field, he dropped passes and would often look for the sidelines after catching the ball. After acquiring a receiver like Marshall, it was clear Ginn was no longer needed.

It was around this same time that we would find out that guard Justin Smiley was on the trade block as well, and Miami intended to get rid of the often injured, but serviceable, Smiley. The draft came and went and it seemed the Fins would release Justin. But just this week before the first mini-camps commenced, Dolfans found out Smiley would be traded to the Jaguars for a seventh round pick. Justin, while one of the best o-linemen when healthy, was very injury prone. While in Miami he suffered a broken leg and had shoulder problems, he also had a high price tag and that is why it made perfect sense to cut or trade Smiley.

It does not stop there, just yesterday the Fins would also release backup linebacker Reggie Torbor.  Torbor was signed in ’08 along with Smiley and received a high priced contract. He would never prove to be anything more than a special teamer and many Dolfans predicted he would be released after seeing what the Dolphins did in the draft.

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