Which players will things 'click' for in 2010?

A dividend of having a young team, as the Dolphins inarguably have, is that players can take significant leaps from their rookie or second seasons, thus helping to raise the team to a much higher level almost overnight.

Sure, some players fail to take that big step or they don't meet the expectations and potential their gifts suggest. (Such players get traded to the San Francisco 49'ers for a fifth-round pick.)

But many up-and-comers make their biggest move in their second or third years.

I was discussing this in part with former wide receiver Nat Moore on our recent day-trip to Haiti when he recounted the story of Mark Duper and Mark Clayton. Moore told of how as a rookie year, Clayton often benefitted from the fact defenses typically doubled Mark Duper on the outside or himself on the inside. Clayton was still learning and really didn't contribute much as a rookie -- six catches for 114 yards.

"But the next year when the light bulb went on for him, there was no stopping him," Moore said of Clayton. "He beat single coverage and then he figured out the game so well, he could beat double-coverage. With his talent, he just took off."

Took off like a rocket, actually. Clayton caught 73 passes for 1,389 yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns in 1984. Duper, who didn't catch a pass as a rookie in 1982, climbed to 51 in 1983 and 71 for 1,36 yards in 1984. Apparently things clicked for him as well.

Well, we should expect the 2010 Miami Dolphins to sound like a field of crickets because I expect there to be a lot of clicking going on for that young roster.

The Dolphins have players that everyone in the organization hopes are on the cusp of being big-time contributors if not outright stars.

Chief on that list is quarterback Chad Henne.

In his third season and second as the starter, Henne must have a breakthrough season for the Dolphins to make a legitimate run at the playoffs. This is the year he has to solve the accuracy and timing issues he had at times in 2009 as a first-year starter. Those were understandable then. There's a next step to take now.

I think Henne will take that step. He's too gifted, too confident, and too hard-working not to take the step. I'm not expecting him to lead the league in passing. That's not what Miami's system is initially going to ask of him.

But 24-25 touchdowns? Why not?

And as long as he keeps the mistakes to maybe 10-12 interceptions, things will be very, very good in Miami.

Of course, Henne will need help. And there's a good chance he'll get it. Here is a list of other players I believe can have a breakout year in 2010. You'll notice some folks are missing. I'm being conservative here. I'm sure you will add the missing names in the comments section.

This is my list:

Brian Hartline: I predict he will win the starting job opposite Brandon Marshall. He is bigger than Davone Bess, faster than Greg Camarillo and he can play all three WR positions. He's a smart guy. He's mature. He gets it. He has shown reliable hands. No, he is not a burner. But he did run track in high school and I believe he's fast enough to hurt defenses when their focus is on Marshall.

Vontae Davis: It took him a while to find his NFL niche. He was raw and a little wide-eyed at first. But he is tough, he is as athletic as they come, he's fearless and there's no quit in him -- as evidence by that TD-saving tackle from behind on a kickoff last year. Davis suffered something of a setback with a wrist injury earlier this offseason. But there has been no mention of that lately and if he continues to rise at the rate he did after the midpoint of 2009, he'll be the second-best cornerback in the AFC East by the end of 2010.

I wanted to include Cameron Wake. I even had his paragraph written up. But I just need to see more. The fact is he was very explosive as a pass-rusher, but still had only one sack the final four games of the season when he was getting his most playing time. Wake might bust out with 14 sacks in 2010 and that would surprise no one. But he also might have six sacks in 2010 and, well, that would surprise no one. It will all depend on whether things clicked for him.

Comments

[jets suck for 41 years]

Anyone here thinking Turner will ever amount to something is delusional. It is one thing to drink the kool aid and another to SWIM in it.

Get it in your heads.... a BUST. Sean Smith may soon follow.

The Swami

[ALoco]

FLORIDA HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE ROAMING THE STREETS WITHOUT TEETH .

[odinseye]

Aloco,

Yes. These kinds of movies aren't really my type.

I did however enjoy Mystic River though.

[odinseye]

Them there ain't no cadaver teeth boy!

Them's dead people teeth!

Jed Clampet

[TexaCaliFinn]

Doesn't anyone on here talk about football anymore? Reading this blog makes my eyes bleed.
Anyway...football:
I think we'll see the biggest leap in performance from Hartline. I agree with Mando's assessment of him 100%. I think Ronnie will have a breakout year, too. I know he's more of a vet than what Mando is talking about, but he hasn't really played a whole season. He'll play well in 2010 just to give himself some contract leverage.
PS: Henne playing better this year is a given.

[odinseye]

Odin's heard defensive backs called slow.

Odin's heard defensive backs called cheap shot artists.

Odin's heard defensive backs called Gerbil.

Odin never hear defensive back called fraud?

Odin fraid of chemtrails

fraid of chemtrails

of chemtrails

chemtrails

trails.....trails.....trails.....trails.....

[ALoco]

I AGREE W/ YOU TEXCALIFINN .......RONNIE WILL HAVE A GRET YEAR UNLESS HE GETS INJURED ,AS FOR HARTLINE THIS YEAR SHOULD BE HIS YEAR . THE ONLY THING I AM AFRAID OF IS HENNE . PAT WHITE COULD HAVE A BREAK OUT YEAR ALSO .

[jets suck for 41 years]

jets suck for 41 years thinks that some here need a Home and a Life. Too many posts daily will rot your brain and destroy any hope for a normal life. jets suck for 41 years says Too much time inside the Home needs some serious mental medical help.

[TexaCaliFinn]

Everything I've heard about Turner suggests he's just a bigger/slower version of Ginn. Dumb, poor route runner, and afraid to get hit.

[Home]

Home Back In Da House
w/ Home Micro Brew

Justin Time(play on blogger name)

LOL @ Odinseye

Let Me Crack A Home Micro Brew & Have Some Laughs

...........Home walking to fridge ...pitta pitta ....patta
..Pitta .........Patta

[TexaCaliFinn]

I have a hard time seeing where Pat White fits in our offense, now. Take henne out for white??? I just don't get it. Henne, Robbie, and Marshall make our offense more normal. The exotic wild pat stuff just isn't needed anymore.

[TexaCaliFinn]

Ronnie...not Robbie. Typo...sorry

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. TexaCaliFinn

"Reading this blog makes my eyes bleed."

Blunt trauma to the eye or reading this blog can cause bleeding in the front (or anterior chamber) of the eye between the cornea and the iris. This bleeding into the anterior chamber of the eye is called a hyphema.

The anterior chamber of the eye contains a clear liquid fluid called aqueous humor. The aqueous humor is secreted by the ciliary processes in the posterior chamber of the eye.

"Doesn't anyone on here talk about football anymore?"

I do..."Dolphins Good...Jets Bad...Sports talk"

I know, I know

Doesn't make me any less of a fan then you.

Some are better equipted to talk X's and O's than others

Soiled :)

[Home]

Glug
Glug
Glug

............AAHHHH
Ok Sportsfans
Where were we?

sean smith is a Fraud
Gotcha

Well
Last Year Home called sean "Poser Boy"
Since Preseason

All season Dlofans waited for sean to make his 10th Int and 4th Pick 6
and Stellar Bone Crunching Tackles

But em, ah, um, oops, duh, well,
Well After Game 16
Still Nothing

Oh Yeah
Home U #@!#@!
Wait Til Next year

Yeah Home
Wait Til Next Year

Ok Ok
Home
Will Wait For Next Year (tee hee, tee hee)
Yeah Right Pal

[ALoco]

WHY I FEEL EVERY TIME I AM READING HOME'S POSTS THAT I AM RUNING .

[Home]

Ok Soiled Bottom & Aloco

Its The Dolfan (Loco) Crazy Hour

Bring It

Home
Wants to see what U got

[Home]

Aloco

Why Does Home Feel U Picked Up The New Playboy
with 3-D Glasses
and U R Wearing the Glasses Now While Viewing the 3-D Centerfold and
Multi Tasking

ROTFALMAO

[TexaCaliFinn]

I didn't intend to single anyone out, Soiled. I was merely stating the obvious lack of football discussion, in the comment section of a football article. You're right though...my observation doesn't make me anymore football righteous here than you. However, your taking exception to my statement certainly paints a better picture of you...and singles you out. Well done. Thanks for proving my point.

[Home]

In his 2nd NFL start, he led the underdog Dolphins over the Jets, 31–27, in a Monday Night Football game. He had 20 completions out of 26 attempts for 241 yards with two touchdowns, in this game Henne had his second win as starter and made a 53 yard TD completion to Ted Ginn, Jr.

Chad Henne

Miami Dolphins Franchise QB

***** The Dynasty Be Fins! *****

[Home]

Henne consistently improved as the season went on, passing for 335 yards against the New England Patriots in Week 13. In Week 15, Henne passed for 349 yards in a loss to the Tennessee Titans. In Week 16, Henne passed for 322 yards in a loss to the Houston Texans. In Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Henne sustained an eye injury and had to leave the game. This happened to be the turning point of the game, Henne had already completely 16 of 20 passes for 140 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Henne is widely regarded as the Dolphins' quarterback of the future.

Chad Henne

Miami Dolphins Franchise QB

***** The Dynasty Be Fins! *****

[TexaCaliFinn]

I'm pumped to see the chemistry between Marshall and Henne. Should be fun to see...and Hartline's job will be much easier.

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Home

"Ok Soiled Bottom & Aloco....Bring It"

Competition : Skipping rope

Ok Aloco and me first

Alternate foot jump (speed step)

This style consists of using alternate feet to jump off the ground. This technique can be used to effectively double the number of skips per minute as compared to the above technique

Criss-cross

This method is similar to the basic jump with the only difference being that while jumping, the left hand goes to the right part of the body and vice versa for the right hand

Combination jumps

There are many more difficult jump roping tricks that combine two or more of these techniques to make a single trick. These combinations can also be used in Chinese Wheel, Double Dutch, Egg Beater, triangle and Long Rope.

Toad

The toad is a complicated trick where the jumper performs the "Cross" manoeuvre with their leg intersecting the arms.

Ok Home...your turn...Bring it

Soiled :)

[Marc]

Always hated SEAN SMITH, it's well documented. You guys suck. Makes this blog almost unbearable, and I won't apologize for singling out anyone, but, you're all the same d!psht!

[Home]

Agree TCF
Glug
Glug
Glug

ALoco send photo of U with the 3-D Glasses On
to Armando

We Could Use It On Next Blog
Make Sure Your Mom Turns the Cellar Light On
and Clean Off Your Desk
Maybe Comb Your Hair and
Brush Your Tooth

Hollywood Here U Come

[odinseye]

THE ONLY THING I AM AFRAID OF IS HENNE .

Posted by: ALoco | May 13, 2010 at 05:49 PM

Henne did pretty well for a first time stater with injuries to his line, RB's and no true go to receiver.

Are you really worried he may take a step backwards this year?

[TexaCaliFinn]

I think the lack of Safety help made our CB's look much worse than they were. Smith has potential...it's too early to write him off. Of course, we still won't have any safety help...

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. TexaCaliFinn

Please except my apology, I wasn't trying to be an ass...but after re-reading my post I can see it may have come off differently then I intended.

Soiled :)

Never hate or malice in my posts...just a bit of the absurd

[Home]

Marc
Thought Was In Minority Camp On sean

Guess As The Season Went On
Perceptive Dolfans
Started Catching On To the Fraud

Home Stood Alone In Preseason on "Poser Boy"

But Every Game
More Come To See The Truth

[TexaCaliFinn]

No way Henne takes a step back. He has better weapons and 3/4 of a season under his belt.

[TexaCaliFinn]

No worries, Soiled. I'm prone to being absurd on occasion, as well.

[Home]

Henne is going straight up

Odinseye Hit the Nail on the Head

Plus Now It Is official

This Is Chad Hennes Team

Period

[odinseye]

Well, If it isn't the mini-skirt wearing Roid Queen!

What's up Marcie?

If this place is so bad, I'm sure you can find better company two doors down at the Rainbow Room!

Bottoms Up-Sweet Cheeks :)

[Home]

Ok
Aloco

See Ya One
&
Raise U One

To many, tiddlywinks is considered to be a simpleminded, frivolous children's game, rather than an adult game. The modern competitive adult game (now called tiddlywinks) made a strong comeback at the University of Cambridge in 1955. The modern game uses far more complex rules and a consistent set of high-grade equipment.

Must Not Be Football Season Yet, Huh
Ya Nutcase

[Home]

Odin
Who U Calling Out?

[odinseye]

Home,

Huh?

I called my Mom on Mothers Day.

Not sure I get your drift?

[ALoco]

HOME, THANK YOU .

ODIN, HENNE COULD BE IN TROUBLE THIS YEAR , HE DID WELL LAST YEAR INDEED VERY WELL ,HE LOST GAMES B/C OF THE COACH AND SOME PLAYERS WHO DROPPED THE BALL SO I THINK THERE'S NO UPSIDE FOR HIM NO MORE .

[TexaCaliFinn]

Peace out, gentlemen. Go Dolphins!!!

[odinseye]

Aloco,

I know there's always a chance of the dreaded sophmore jinx.
However, as long as I've watched Henne, there has been one constant.
The more talent you surround him with, the better he gets.

I heard he was trying to get Marshall a good deal on his next door neighbors house.

[Home]

Is That An Intentional Double Negative ALoco
Meaning U actually believe there is an upside

Or R U Mentally Challenged?

Odin
Your comments on Roid queen & Marcie

[ALoco]

THAT'S BAD NEWS ODIN IF HE'S TRYING TO HELP HIM SETTLE NEXT TO HIM ,IN FACT THAT'S AGainst tuna's policy not to get too close .

[ALoco]

HOME, I AM NOT BUT THE UPSIDE HAS A LIMIT AND I AM AFARID HENNE REACHED THAT LIMIT .

[Home]

C`mon man
The O-line had injuries

The WRs were dropping balls

No Pro Bowl WR Brandon Marshall

Injuries to Ronnie Brown & Cobbs (out for the season)

and the last game
Henne had a finger in the eye LMAO

[BoulderFinFan]

Next year success for the most part is gonna be dependant on Ronnie Brown and Chad Henne. If brown hadn't been injured last year I really think the phins would have made the playoffs. Henne wasn't ready to take the reins yet. This year we have both and Marshall. I think it should be fun. Plus hopefully the defens won't be as porous as last year with the addition of mike nolan.

[BoulderFinFan]

BTW rex ryan is already sweating the fact that he has to go against his mentor mike nolan. He said as much.

[odinseye]

Home,

Marc or Marcie, depending on which night of the week it is, is a self admitted cross dressing steroid advocate.

In addition, he has posted that "if you want your children to be good, they should be juicing".

Today, SO FAR, his contribution to the blog has been: "I always hated Sean Smith-you guys suck-your all the same dipsheets".

I know I'm supposed to respect peoples right to an opinion, but Marcie is the obvious exception to the rule.

Home,

I'm NOT exagerating these facts. He himself has posted every single one of these things, including the cross dressing bit.

I just wish I had the chance to meet this low life cross dressing scumbag in person, just one time. I would gladly do another bit for aggravated assault when it comes to scum like this.

Hope I haven't offended anyone, just "sharing" my FEELINGS :)

[Home]

Gotcha Odin
Am New Here
WOW!

[Home]

Is That NJ PHIN FAN also?

[odinseye]

Home,

We can agree to disagree. That's cool with me.

I TRY to treat people like they treat me.

With Sean Smith, you already pretty mush posted my response: Just wait till next(this) year-LOL.

We don't have to get all down and personal.

I'm a patient guy. I can wait till later in the season when Sean has 10 picks and we're in the playoffs to rub your nose in it-LOL :)

[Home]

ALoco
That could be Ebonics U speak with double negatives

Gotcha odin
Hope UR right on sean
Take care GTG

[odinseye]

I hope NJ isn't Marc.

I know NJ rubbed alot of people the wrong way.

Nonetheless, he was always cordial to me, so I was cordial to him.

Two things I know about NJ:

1. He has some really good football knowledge.

2. His communications skills could use some work.

[YourBackDoorMan]

Chad Henne returned this franchise to manliness after two years of BackDoor Wildcat football.

[odinseye]

Manliness you say?

Yeah, yes, I like that.

AJ Feely, Cleo Lemon and John BYU Beck don't even sound scary.

Henne's like a linebacker playing Quarterback.

[Jncrdn]

If sean smith is a bust then what do you call vontae Davis ? Vontae gave up way more big plays and was more inconsistent than Sean smith , and if you had seen the games you would have noticed how people picked on davis because of Sean smith blanketing people

[Cody O'Dea]

People weren't "picking on VD more" he was just matched up with number ones a lot more.

[cocoajoe]

Test

[cocoajoe]

Weird, posted earlier and it didn't 'take'.

[Jerry]

No one really mentions Kendall Langford. Him along with Henne, Long, Merling, and Donald Thomas are going into their third year. That is the year that that usual leap takes place. Ginn couldn't get it right after the 3rd year hence he is now a forty niner.

[Marc]

Odin, you're a tool. Wearing a dress because I lost a bet on a Dolphin's game, and cross-dressing are different. I wish you would try something...

NJ and I are definately different. We've disagreed in the past, but, he never got his feelings hurt. I don't even know why I'm addressing you...

It's Marc, has been for a LONG time

[Stiffcom]

Firt off let me remind u guys that if we use Grice M, we will be deadly on offense.. Or get played like Wes welker did when we cut him. Grice is a beast, I love Hartline and he proved himself as a true starter, Fassano will get the nod hes a clutch player. Noalon caroll I like dont sleep on him Bill P.. hes the real deal. Tuner is only a red zone player. Wake up and play wake, He pressures the left side like a pancake, would help if we cave in the right side. and middle. Sean Smith is soft, weak on coverage, Its like Ginn at CB or wr useless, I'm a coach or atleast I play one on TV..

[Marc]

and for the record I contributed this as well *(before the blog got ridiculous as it always does because of you clowns)

Same crop I would have chosen, except I would swap Wake and Henne. Not based on evidence, just a gut feeling. I do believe VD will turn heads long before SEAN SMITH.

Clemons is possible based on necessity, if we go for 3 years, add Donald Thomas. He'll regain and keep the RG job