One year after another, Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano has developed a little more. One patient step at a time, his NFL career has emerged from the shadows once cast by former Cowboys teammate Jason Witten.

Now, Fasano will be called upon to take the next progression. As a receiver. As a blocker. And, perhaps just as importantly, as a leader.

``Some younger guys are going to need to step up,'' Fasano said. ``We're going to depend on them, and it's my job to help them get ready for it.''

In the wake of the team's decision to place David Martin on injured reserve Sunday for the final year of his contract, the Dolphins will look toward Joey Haynos, John Nalbone and newcomer Davone Drew to make rapid growth.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

But don't let that fool you. As critical as Haynos' role has now become (he will replace Martin when the team uses two tight ends), this is still as much about an opportunity for Fasano as it is anyone else.

``David's absence leaves a little meat on the bone out there,'' coach Tony Sparano said.

Fasano, of course, already had plenty to chew last season. He took nearly every offensive snap as the team's primary ``Y'' tight end, which could cause some to assume the extra ``meat'' will instead be left for Haynos.

That's the reason Haynos was noticeably excited Monday by the chance he will have, pointing out that ``there's going to be a good amount of playing time for me, and I've got to make the most of the opportunity.''

But this is the same coaching staff that once put Witten in the position to become the league's top tight end (Witten caught 96 passes for 1,145 yards during Fasano's final year in Dallas).

If a tight end shows the potential to handle a big load in the passing game, Sparano is a coach who knows how to utilize that talent.

Considering Fasano witnessed it firsthand, there's no reason to think he won't be looking to pick up the slack Martin's absence leaves behind.

It's also the reason this might be Fasano's best chance to become the elite tight end Miami's coaching staff believed he could become when it drafted him with a second-round pick in Dallas three years ago.

``I played 99 percent of the reps last year, so I couldn't play more reps than I did then,'' Fasano said. ``I might be put in different position on certain plays, but not that I know of right now.''

Last year, the Dolphins used two tight ends on more than 50 percent of their offensive plays. That's the reason Martin was able to record 31 catches and 450 yards.

But if Fasano can prove capable of being that elite player, it could change the way the Dolphins attack defenses.

Sparano hinted at the possibility Monday, but he didn't want to expound on how Fasano's role could change in the wake of Martin's absence.

``You know, it leaves other things out there, too,'' said Sparano, noting he could explore the possibility of using fullback Lousaka Polite more often instead of a pair of tight ends.

However the scenario plays out, Fasano is now the unmistakable veteran on this squad. Haynos is the only other tight end with NFL experience, which consists of two catches and a touchdown as a reserve last season. SHOWING POTENTIAL

Haynos has, however, shown some very real potential. He has the chance to shape into a productive tight end, especially if his blocking skills continue to improve in the wake of an offseason that was spent building his core strength.

``Somewhere down the line, I would have been in this position,'' Haynos said. ``It happened now, and I'm ready for it, so I'm excited.''

This could be a big year for Haynos -- just as last season was a big year for Martin when he played that same position.

But it could be an even bigger year for Fasano. Although the veteran rightfully preached the importance of grooming the younger tight ends into becoming the solid talent this team needs at the position, Martin's departure opens a door Fasano has long been waiting to walk through.

``Our offense is a week-by-week thing, playing off the opponent's strengths and weaknesses,'' Fasano said. ``I'm ready to do anything they ask me to do.''