And that was before the games even started.
Amid all the uncertainty around the league caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, not to mention the losses of players who opted out, the Miami Dolphins represented one of the most mysterious teams in the NFL.
If not the most.
For one thing, no team has made as many significant changes, with the Dolphins overhauling their roster with perhaps the busiest offseason in team history. There was drastic turnover at most positions, most notably the offensive line and defensive lines.
And, of course, there was the arrival of the would-be savior at quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.
The fun will begin Sept. 13 for the Dolphins when they start the 2020 season where they ended in 2019, at Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots.
Here are the 10 biggest storylines for the Dolphins heading into the regular season:
1. Can the Dolphins pick up where they left off?
Unfortunately for Dolphins fans, the successful run at the end of the 2019 season that saw the team go 5-4 in its final nine games means absolutely nothing now.
For one thing, it’s an entirely different roster the Dolphins will be taking to Gillette Stadium — albeit a much more talented one after the 53-man group that shocked the Patriots in the 2019 season finale included 30 players who entered the NFL as seventh-round picks or undrafted free agents.
There are several recent examples involving the Dolphins that kill the notion of year-to-year momentum. The Dolphins went 9-2 in their final 11 games in 2016 to make the playoffs but went 7-9 the next year. The Dolphins won their final six games in Nick Saban’s first season in 2005, only to go 6-10 the next year.
2. The talent on the roster is better, but how much better?
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2020-Ausgabe von Dolphin Digest.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2020-Ausgabe von Dolphin Digest.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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Q&A with Miami Dolphins Legend Richmond Webb
I was lucky enough to interview the legend, Richmond Webb. For those Dolphins fans who live under a rock, Webb is one of the greatest Miami Dolphins players ever and their greatest left tackle of all time.
To do list
GAME PLAN
Putting the pieces together
Analyzing the 53-man roster
You're in Safe Hands with the Dolphins Safeties
After an off-season where the Miami Dolphins had daily drama surrounding who would be the quarterback, which coordinator was really calling the plays, and does their number one pick have a limp, went into Foxborough and did something they’ve only done once since 2008.
Xavien Howard worth every penny
The Miami Dolphins were in the news daily during the offseason, but it was mainly regarding starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Head coach Brian Flores talks about the Raekwon Davis injury, beating New England Week 1, Tua Tagovailoa, Noah Igbinoghene and more
COACH SPEAK
Offensive line an early season concern
PARTING SHOTS
Jaylen Waddle is as advertised
The 2021 first-round pick has been a bright spot for the Dolphins
Can Miami tackle their tackle issues?
The Miami Dolphins currently have a 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 second-round pick, a 2019 second-round pick, and a player who has started 56 games for them over the last four seasons to choose from at right and left tackle.
AROUND THE AFC EAST
The race for the AFC East crown gets started