Miami was 7-5 at the three-quarters point of the 2014 season with at least an outside shot at the postseason. A in-depthpromising season came to a crashing end, however, when a 1-3 finish dropped the Dolphins to 8-8 for the second consecutive season.

It was the sixth straight season on the outside of the playoffs and 10th in 11 years the team has failed to win double-digit games. But the offseason started off at a frenetic pace, with the signing of Ndamukong Suh as a free agent, the trade of Mike Wallace and the acquisition via trade of Kenny Stills. So management is not complacently sitting on its hands.

So are the Dolphins a better team now than at the end of the 2014 season? Is this the year Miami heads back into the playoffs with a chance to make some noise? Or is the Joe Philbin era on the brink of ending the same as so many of his head coaching predecessors have in Miami? Brian Miller, editor of PhinPhanatic.com, owner of Phinatics.com and co-host of Finsradio.net’s On the FinSide shares his thoughts.

Zoneblitz: The Dolphins were 7-5 at one point with a chance to at least knock on the door to the postseason before losing three of four to finish 8-8. What was your assessment of the season?

Miller: They never really had a chance to knock on the door of the post-season in 2014. They eliminated themselves with about four weeks left in the season if not mathematically, then in reality. The team’s defense played poorly against the run after the Denver Broncos game and the holes along the offensive line finally caught up with them. The season as a whole could have been better but likely should have been worse. I think many fans were hoping for a coaching change that never came.

Zoneblitz: How do you feel about the work done thus far by Joe Philbin and Dennis Hickey? Is anyone on the hot seat heading into 2015?

Miller: I like what I have seen out of Dennis Hickey. In speaking with him last season Hickey seems to have a very well defined plan in place, although I will say he didn’t share it completely with me. He does know what he is doing and having Mike Tannenbaum working over him now should help him but I wouldn’t discount this being his last season with the Dolphins either. Joe Philbin on the other hand is someone I simply do not get. He is one of the nicest people I have met yet on the field I can’t figure out what exactly he is coaching or building. In 2015 it’s his team. Most of the Jeff Ireland players are gone which is what Philbin wanted so he has no excuses anymore.

Zoneblitz: How would you rate Ryan Tannehill’s development so far and do you think he can lead this team to title contention?

Miller: Ryan Tannehill continues to impress me but he needs to become a leader on the field and off. He still seems like a caretaker instead of a leader. While last season he got better with his leadership this year he needs to own the team. The Dolphins are making a commitment to him and he needs to make that with them. Do I think he can lead the team to a title? No, not on his own but he is the right quarterback to lead the team to a title if the pieces around him fit. I look at him like Steve Young. I know comparing him to a Hall of Fame quarterback but Young on his own wasn’t an HOF QB. He was a very good methodical quarterback and that is Ryan Tannehill…or at least it could be.

Zoneblitz: The Dolphins added Ndamukong Suh to a line that already included Cameron Wake. What do you think of that signing and what’s your hope for the defense

Miller: Suh was a shocking surprise for me as I thought the Dolphins wouldn’t go after him back in February but they did and they made a HUGE commitment to this team in doing so. Suh is a leader by example on the field and fully expect the rest of the defense to benefit from him play. He is one of those players that naturally elevates the game of those around him.

Zoneblitz: Are the moves that have been made sufficient to improve a 20th ranked defense or are there still moves to be made?

Miller: Yes and no. The Dolphins still have concerns at linebacker, cornerback, and safety. They have young guys in place but relatively unproven. They might be very good with a very good defensive front line or they will be the team’s weakness.

Zoneblitz: Mike Wallace was traded and Kenny Stills was added. Charles Clay was lost to free agency and Jordan Cameron was added. What are your thoughts on both moves and are the weapons surrounding Tannehill better now than at the end of 2014?

Miller: Wallace in Miami wasn’t a good fit and a waste of money. I’m not sure how Stills will fair. Clay was a go to guy for Tannehill but he was an edge tight end meaning he caught most of his passes outside instead of in the seam where most tight ends find their game. Cameron is a legit seam threat tight end and a red-zone threat as well, something Clay wasn’t really known for. I think the addition of Cameron is good for the offense and better than Clay. Stills for Wallace doesn’t bother me but Miami still needs to address wide-receiver.

Zoneblitz: What’s going to happen with the RB position this season? Has Lamar Miller done enough to lock down the lead back role and who else fits in the mix?

Miller: I like Lamar Miller. It was no fluke the guy ran for more than 1,000 yards in 2014 yet he doesn’t get any of the credit for it — which is funny considering how poorly the Dolphins offensive line played. Miami could sign another runner in free agency or visit it in the draft. Running backs are not that much of concern these days.

Zoneblitz: This team’s offensive line was a mess after 2013. Several changes took place last year – what is your assessment of that unit now?

Miller: Several changes were made this year too. Or at least should be. Miami has serious concerns on the offensive line. Mike Pouncey will be back at center and Ja’wuan James back to man right tackle but Branden Albert may not be back for seasons start at left tackle and guard is a complete mystery at the moment.

Zoneblitz: What Dolphins have a chance to break out in 2015?

Miller: Top two players to watch for me are safety Michael Thomas and linebacker Chris McCain. Thomas looked really good last year in spot duty before tearing a pectoral muscle and going on IR. While his play was more relegated to special teams this kid really seems to get it and puts in the work and film study. With the Dolphins giving Louis Delmas another one year deal Thomas could be the beneficiary if, when Delmas gets injured again. McCain will likely battle for a starting job to fill the hole left by the release of Phillip Wheeler and unless the Dolphins move Koa Misi back outside, McCain should win the job. He could break out this year like Jelani Jenkins did in 2014.

Zoneblitz: New England won the Super Bowl, Buffalo has made some changes and the Jets generally are competitive, at least on defense. In a tough division, where do the Dolphins rank and how far are they from making a run in the postseason?

Miller: The Dolphins should be the 2nd best team in the AFC East but the Jets have a really good coach in Todd Bowles, so I expect them to be a lot better in 2015 and beyond. The Bills have a really good defense and Rex Ryan has the attitude to make them better. Still both teams have serious quarterback issues. New England is New England and they will be on top until someone knocks them off.

Zoneblitz: What is your reaction to free agency at this point and what would you like to see the team do through the rest of free agency and in the draft?

Miller: Free agency was fun but it was over pretty quickly. You don’t give $114 million to someone and then expect the team to continue signing players. The Dolphins need to address the wide-receiver spot and they need to address the offensive guard positions. This is something I would like them to address in free agency or via trade rather than the draft.

Zoneblitz: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Miller: Miami is in an interesting spot this season. A crossroads if you will. On one hand Joe Philbin and staff are coaching for their lives and on the other hand Mike Tannenbaum is prepping for the future. Can the Dolphins win and save Philbin’s job or is the team getting too young? Regardless there are no excuses left for Joe Philbin. Oh and the new stadium renovations look awesome!

Follow Brian Miller on Twitter at: @txmedic5
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