<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>After yet another embarrassing losing season in Miami, the dolphins needed to make changes, and that?s exactly what they did. It started with Head Coach Nick Saban. During the season, rumors flared about him leaving the dolphins to pursue a head coaching position at Alabama. He blatantly and repeatedly denied this reports, but the story persisted. Shortly after the season, the Nicktator showed his true colors, and left the team to take the job at Alabama.The ?Fins then dived into the pool of available coaches, they brought in head coaches from around the league, as well as the college ranks. The front runners seemed to be Brian Shottenhiemer, Cam Cameron, and Chan Gailey, who was a former Dolphins offensive coordinator. Shottenhiemer pulled himself out of concideration after being called back for his second interview, which caused former Alabama coach Mike Shula to step in. Eventually the Miami front office narrowed their search to two candidates, Chan Gailey and Cam Cameron, and eventually hired former Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.With the coaching issue behind them, the Dolphins headed on to the free agency period. They had many positions to address, and they have - so far. Their first order of business was to cut defensive end Kevin Carter, followed by two additional cuts on the offensive line, Bennie Anderson and Seth Mckinney, and Jeno James. Then came the cuts of Randy McMichael, which came as a surprise, and Joey Harrington, which was expected. The Dolphins then made their biggest free agent signing of the season in Joey Porter. They broke the bank and gave him 20 million in guaranteed money, but in an NFL where all players are overpaid, it was a good move. Porter has already had his share of off the field incidents, but he is a solid player who comes in to an already fierce defense.The Dolphins also made their fair share of trades to acquire more draft picks. Wide Receiver Wes Welker was traded to division rival New England Patriots in exchange for a 2nd and 6th round draft pick. They then moved defensive lineman Dan Wilkinson to the Broncos in exchange for another 6th rounder. This trade may be voided if Wilkinson does not contact the Broncos before March 30th. They then signed Kicker Jay Feeley, and will continue to shop current kicker Olindo Mare in an effort to obtain even more draft picks.This brings us to the draft. The Dolphins have spent a lot of money this season to boost their defense this off season, so look for them to draft a defensive lineman in an effort to get younger. They may also target a quarterback on the first day if talks with Trent Green and David Carr fall apart. Lastly, they will look to improve their secondary in the mid to late rounds with a Cornerback. In the first round, their main options are:Brady Quinn: He is a Cam Cameron type quarterback who the Dolphins have been eyeing up since his pro day at Notre Dame. After the major QB issues of last season, the Dolphins would like to have a young QB who is already NFL ready and can step in at anytime. Quinn brings that to the table. At Notre Dame he had a very intense playbook and play calling regimen, and that?s what makes the ?Fins most interested. The Dolphins have been in close contact with him and would pick him in a second if he falls to #9.Alan Branch: Would be a key part of the youth movement that the ?Fins are trying to achieve. He was a key run stopper in the Michigan defense, and can bring enough pressure to make the opposing QB make mistakes. He wont have to worry about being double teamed along the likes of Jason Taylor, and should flourish by the coaching of Dom Capers.Levi Brown: After all the cuts at the offensive lineman position, the Dolphins are trying to start fresh. Brown is a four year starter out of Penn State who has been playing top collegiate competition his entire career. He can bring that stability that the ?Fins o-line lacks.Ted Ginn Jr: This might not be the most popular pick amongst the Dolphin faithful but it could pay off big time. The Dolphins need to add another special teams playmaker after the departure of Wes Welker. Ginn can bring that explosive play on special teams or on offense that can turn games around. His speed is also a big reason why he would fit well with the Dolphins offense.</div> www.finnation.net
