PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

NO. 25

MIAMI DOLPHINS

A year ago, many believed that the Dolphins would make a serious run at a Super Bowl appearance.  (And we were among that pack of fools.)

But the season-ending win streak in 2005 didn't carry over, and the wheels quickly came off for the Fins.  Quarterback Daunte Culpepper proved to be the wrong choice, and the guy they passed over -- Drew Brees -- had an MVP-caliber year with the Saints.

Now, instead of using another second-round pick as trade bait in the unending search for the next Dan Marino, the Dolphins spent the second-rounder on a quarterback, John Beck.  He won't do much to help the team this year, but he could prove to be one of the best signal-callers from the class of 2007.

Until Beck is ready, the nod goes to Trent Green, if he can hold off a motivated Cleo Lemon, who'll be an unrestricted free agent after the season -- and who could parlay some effective playing time into a big contract elsewhere. 

The offensive line could be improving (how could it be any worse?), and that could help new coach Cam Cameron mold Ronnie Brown into the East Coast version of L.T. 

At tight end, long-time standout Randy McMichael was dumped, but as Cameron proved in San Diego any tall guy with decent hands can be transformed into a Pro Bowler. 

The receivers are getting better with the arrival of Ted Ginn, who at a minimum will push the incumbents to get better in order to keep him on the sidelines.

On defense, the unit is still strong, even if the $20 million investment in guaranteed money paid out to Joey Porter ends up generating an Enron-style return for owner Wayne Huizenga.  Jason Taylor is motivated to prove that he deserves some of that big money that others are getting, and Zach Thomas is still regarded as one of the best at what he does.

The more we think about it, the more inclined we are to rank this team higher going into the 2007 season.  But then we think back to 2006, and we realize that it's far better for the Fins to carry low expectations.

Key departures:  LT Damion McIntosh, FB Darian Barnes, TE Randy McMichael, RB Travis Minor, RB Sammy Morris, WR Wes Welker.

Key arrivals:  QB Trent Green, LB Joey Porter, K Jay Feely, TE David Martin, FB Corey Schlesinger.

Draft pick most likely to make an impact:  WR/KR Ted Ginn.

Coach's current job security:  Three years.