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Miami Dolphins Passing game must live up to offensive expectations
Miami opens its training camp at Nova University in Davie, Fla., on July 24. By Rich Loup, CNNSI.com OK, so Jimmy Johnson wasn't just blowing smoke: Miami can run the ball. However, JJ was gone fishin' and Dan Marino wasn't under center to employ an effective passing game to complement the run. In any case, has anyone noticed the Dolphins are 1-2 and have been outscored 109-30 in their last three postseason games? The Dolphins can make the playoffs if ... Lamar Smith has another solid season (1,139 yards, 14 TDs in 2000) and the defense plays as it did last year when it was the NFL's sixth-stingiest unit. In Dave Wannstedt's first year as head coach, Miami finally developed the smash-mouth mentality that Johnson could not consistently employ in four years in South Florida. Pivotal games: The Dolphins open at Tennessee before playing back-to-back home games against Buffalo and Oakland. How Miami fares in the first three weeks could determine the fate of its season. On the hot seat: When the Dolphins lost, quarterback Jay Fiedler's mistakes were usually a factor (3 TDs, 9 INTs in five regular-season games; 0 TDs, 3 INTs in Miami's 27-0 divisional loss to the Raiders). Backup Damon Huard signed with New England, but the Dolphins did pick up former Jet Ray Lucas. Up-and-coming: After a checkered career, safety Brian Walker led the Dolphins with seven interceptions in 2000. Not bad for a guy who was undrafted after his college career ended in 1996, and bounced around with Washington, Seattle and Miami. Sports Illustrated's season preview will post Aug. 29.
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