Miami Dolphins 2009 Fantasy Football Preview

QBs

Chad Pennington is good enough to start for the Miami Dolphins, but not your fantasy team. Don’t consider using him as a backup unless you are desperate. I would prefer Jake Delhomme or Joe Flacco instead. But I kind of hope he proves me wrong. The poor guy has never received the credit he deserves as a football player.

Chad Henne sounds like someone that should star in an X-rated film, but I wouldn’t worry about him ever posing a threat to steal time from Pennington. The same applies for John Beck, but without the cool porn star name.

However, Michael Vick fits in nice with the wildcat and could play a role…. kidding. You might as well hope for a Maurice Clarett comeback.

RBs

Where Ronnie Brown should be taken in the draft torments me. If you take away his best game of 2008, Brown only had 6 TDs and 800 yards for the entire season. But that 4 TD performance against New England in week 3 really showed off the potential of the former Auburn Tiger.

By the way, did you know that Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams were the only RBs from the same college to be drafted in the top 5? Caddy is still in Tampa; and he would have been a big sleeper this year if Derrick Ward didn’t join the Bucs. I guess that says what they think about his knee…

Anyway, Ronnie Brown should be a very solid number 2 back. But he could drop to only a ‘decent flex option’ or produce the numbers of a top 10. He really is one of those guys you either like or don’t like. Personally, I would rather Pierre Thomas…or maybe even Reggie Bush. My ranking right now for Mr. Brown is #21.

My advice is to remain unbiased until you see him in preseason and are reassured his knee is back to 100%.

Not only does Ricky Williams like the reefer, but he also likes getting in the way of Ronnie Brown’s fantasy value. He has some years left in him and helps take the load off Ronnie.

Some say he is a “handcuff” for Ronnie Brown. I hate this phrase. If you like Ricky Williams, take him. If you like Ronnie Brown, go draft him. But don’t draft a backup just because they eat time from your starter. Would you ever really start Ricky Williams over Ronnie Brown if you had both of them? No, not unless Brown was hurt or something extremely unexpected happened. If you’re the psychic that expects this: pass on Brown, draft someone else, then snag Williams in a few rounds. But don’t play that handcuff game. Same rule applies with Lynch and Fred Jackson, Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, along with many others. That crap is for teams that finish with 3-5 fantasy wins.

Patrick Cobbs is just another nuisance to Ronnie Brown. Some say the Dolphin’s wildcat offense is really unique and fun to watch. I like the words awkward and annoying.

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WRs

Tedd Ginn Jr. - I really don’t think the wildcat will be used as much, or be as effective, as last season. This means more looks for Ginn.

He has very good speed and is also learning how to make the every down plays, not just the homeruns. It also says a lot that Miami did not draft a WR in this year’s draft.

All the signs point towards Ginn having a decent year. But I just don’t trust him. He reminds me of Sidney Rice who has been ranked as a sleeper every year for what seems like the last five years. And he does nothing year in and year out.

I might be biased, but I don’t like watching the Miami Dolphin’s offense; just like I don’t enjoy watching paint dry. I wouldn’t grab him unless I’m desperate for a WR and he is available really late.

Greg Camarillo and most of this offense were too inconsistent last year to warrant a serious look in 2009. However, I have him alongside Davone Bess as a nice sleeper. One of the two, and I really think it will be Bess, will step up and have an impact. Call me crazy, but there will be at few weeks where Bess or Camarillo will be a legit #2 WR.

TE

Anthony Fasano could continue to become a very good option at tightend for both the Dolphins and your team. But the 30 year old David Martin stands in his way, eating up some reps. Regardless, Fasano is getting groomed into a more prominent role and should have a nice year, earning some starts for your squad.

I have Fasano ranked around #15, with the potential to skyrocket. Martin is only worth a look in deeper leagues.

K

Dan Carpenter has little fantasy value at this time. I am not saying he isn’t a good player… or person, but he has very little fantasy value…

Defense / Special Teams

Miami should be starting for one of the teams in your fantasy leagues. But don’t completely rely on the Dolphin’s to take care of all your DEF/ST needs throughout the year. Since they aren’t really one of those powerhouses, rotate them in a starting role with a team like Dallas, Washington, or Carolina depending on the matchup.

By Alexander R. MacNeil
ProFootball-fans.com Fantasy Football Correspondent