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NFL training camp 2015: Priming all 32 teams

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2015; Davie, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh answers questions from reports at Doctors Hospital Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2015; Davie, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh answers questions from reports at Doctors Hospital Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Overview

The Miami Dolphins are one of the toughest teams to figure heading into 2015. General manager Dennis Hickey and lieutenant Mike Tannenbaum reshaped much of the offense, bringing in Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker and Greg Jennings at receiver while jettisoning Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson.

Of course, Miami also added the biggest fish in free agency with Ndamukong Suh, landing him with a six-year, $114 million contract. Suh will anchor one of the best defensive lines in football with Olivier Vernon and Cameron Wake flanking him on the ends. Miami has not been far from the postseason in each of the last two years, but has fallen apart each time in December.

Major Battle

It has to be both guard positions, much like the Patriots. The Dolphins paid big bucks to land Branden Albert in 2014, solidifying left tackle. In the first round that year, Miami took Ja’Wuan James to man the right side. Yet, the interior around Mike Pouncey has been a mess. Veteran Jeff Linkenbach is a favorite to start along with Dallas Thomas, but competition will come from Jamil Douglas and Billy Turner.

Expectations

Nobody is expecting a Super Bowl, but this is head coach Joe Philbin’s third year. Miami has to take the next step and make the playoffs in a conference that is wide open. The Dolphins have a good defense and a young, talented quarterback in Ryan Tannehill who eclipsed 4,000 passing yards for the first time in his career. This should be a playoff team.

Next: New York Jets

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