Best of worst: Sifting through the losing to name Miami Dolphins 2010-19 All-Decade Team | Opinion
In another few days you will have broken a social faux pas but for now you can still wish people a Happy New Year without them looking at you funny.
There are rules for these things. For example, when introducing your new head coach in early January, you probably don’t want to begin the news conference by wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving, as Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder did this week.
That got me thinking the window is closing to name the Miami Dolphins’ All-Decade Team for 2010 to 2019, so let’s get to it.
First I will pause a second for all of your snide comments and thoughts, like, a team that went 69-91 in the decade, made one playoff and won zero playoff games — did they have any good players?
Well, a few, yes. So let’s bid auld lang syne to the past decade by remembering the Dolphins who were the least bad, relatively speaking.
Here’s our Dolphins’ All-Decade Team, after which we will name the players of the decade from the Dolphins, Heat, Panthers and Marlins.
Offense
▪ Quarterback — Ryan Tannehill (2012-18): Simple choice. Though only 42-46 as starter, Tannehill threw for 20,434 yards in decade with 123-75 TD/INT ratio. QBs to start at least one game in decade: 9. Most starts: Tannehill, 88.
▪ Running back — Lamar Miller (2012-15): Close call but Miller led Fins in decade with 2,930 rushing yards including 1,099 in 2014, along with 177 catches, 22 TDs. Reggie Bush (2011-12) and Jay Ajayi (2015-17, with Pro Bowl in ‘16) were considered. RBs (including fullbacks) to start at least one game in decade: 15. Most starts: Miller, 48.
▪ Wide receivers — Jarvis Landry (2014-17), Brian Hartline (2010-14) and Kenny Stills (2015-18): Landry is a no-brainer with 400 catches and three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2015 to 2017. Hartline had 267 catches. Stills, whose 24 TD catches led team in the decade, edged current player DeVante Parker and Brandon Marshall (2011 Pro Bowl) for the third spot. WRs to start at least one game in decade: 19. Most starts: Hartline, 67.
▪ Tight end — Charles Clay (2011-14): A near coin flip, but Clay’s 161 catches for 1,809 yards outproduced Anthony Fasano (2010-12, ‘17). TEs to start at least one game in decade: 16. Most starts: Fasano, 52.
▪ Center — Mike Pouncey (2011-17): A clear choice. Pouncey made three straight Pro Bowls (2013-15). Centers to start at least one game in decade: 9. Most starts: Pouncey, 93.
▪ Guards — Richie Incognito (2010-13) and Jesse Davis (2017-current): Incognito is deservedly linked to his role in the Bullygate scandal but was a solid guard who made Pro Bowl in ‘12. Current Fin Davis edges John Jerry (2010-13) for the second starter. Guards to start at least one game in decade: 19. Most starts: Incognito, 55.
▪ Tackles — Jake Long (2010-12) and Branden Albert (2014-16): Long, a rookie in 2008, made All-Pro in 2010 and Pro Bowl in ‘11. Albert’s Pro Bowl selection in ‘15 nudged him past Ja’Waun James (2014-18) and Laremy Tunsil (2016-18) for the other spot. Tackles to start at least one game in decade: 16. Most starts: James, 62.
Defense
▪ Ends — Cameron Wake (2010-18) and Randy Starks (2010-14): Wake would have made any team’s all-decade team, with 92 1/2 sacks in nine seasons and five Pro Bowl selections. Starks arrived in 2008 but was a six-year starter in the ‘10s. DEs to start at least one game in decade: 16: Most starts: Wake, 125.
▪ Tackles — Paul Soliai (2010-13) and Ndamukong Suh (2015-17): The underregarded Soliai arrived in 2007 and was a five-year starter in the decade and a Pro Bowler in 2011. Suh started 48 games in three years and made the Pro Bowl in ‘16. DTs to start at least one game in decade: 9. Most starts: Soliai, 73.
▪ Linebackers — Koa Misi (2010-16), Karlos Dansby (2010-12) and Kiko Alonso (2016-18).
The weakest position of them all, but all three choices were productive tackle collectors. Current Fin Jerome Baker needed another season or two for consideration. LBs to start at least one game in decade: 29. Most starts: Misi, 72.
▪ Cornerbacks — Brent Grimes (2013-15) and Xavien Howard (2016-current): Grimes made Pro Bowls all three Dolphins seasons. What more you want? Howard has 12 interceptions in 34 starts and made Pro Bowl in ‘18. CBs to start at least one game in decade: 25. Most starts, Grimes 47.
▪ Safeties — Reshad Jones (2010-current) and Yeremiah Bell (2010-11): Jones was a simple choice, playing the entire decade, totaling 21 picks (four for TDs) and making two Pro Bowls. There’s no clear second guy, so give it to Bell, who started 32 games in ending a long Fins career as the past decade began. Safeties to start at least one game in decade: 14. Most starts: Jones, 109.
▪ Specialists — Kicker Dan Carpenter (2010-12) led team in decade with 81 field goals. Punter Brandon Fields (2010-14) averaged 50.3 yards one year, made Pro Bowl in ‘13. And long snapper John Denney (2010-18) made Pro Bowl twice.
PLAYERS OF THE DECADE
▪ Dolphins — Defensive end Cameron Wake. See above. Nobody close.
▪ Heat — Guard Dwyane Wade. Because there wouldn’t have been LeBron here without Wade.
▪ Panthers — Center Aleksander Barkov. Seven seasons in, a developing superstar at 24.
▪ Marlins — Giancarlo Stanton. Because 267 homers in eight years. Any questions?
▪ Miami team/coach of decade — Miami Heat and Erik Spoelstra. Like there was any doubt?:
Hey, happy new year, everybody! I can still say that, right?
This story was originally published January 3, 2020 at 4:03 PM.
