A lot of pressure will begin to fall upon the Miami Dolphins organization in the coming weeks and months, after all Bill Parcells and company took a 1-15 team and made them into an 11-5 division winner in just one year. No doubt they will face expectations to AT LEAST match that effort in 2009, if not surpass it all together and go deeper in the playoffs. One thing is certain though, the 2008 team, good as it was, cannot do it again next year without changes. Just what changes might be necessary to help boost the Dolphins in 2009?

Starting on offense, the most glaring need is for a game changing playmaker. 2 years ago the Dolphins believed they had that in drafting Ted Ginn Jr, and though he showed vast improvement this year, he’s still not an elite level performer who can lift his team on his shoulders and will them to victory. Chad Pennington has already been inked as the starter for next season, so what must the Dolphins give him to boost the potential of the offense?

Wide receiver is still the biggest issue needing to be addressed, an issue that can possibly be addressed by free agency. Tampa Bay WR Antonio Bryant is the biggest free agent WR this year, and the pool gets shallow for talent if he leaves the market quickly. The Dolphins’ remaining options would be TJ Houshmanzadeh, Jabar Gaffney, Amani Toomer, Michael Clayton, Devery Henderson, Shaun McDonald, Nate Washington, or Bryant Johnson. The majority of these guys have been role players for years now, are past their prime, or missed it all together.

The draft might however provide Miami the chance to get a young, albeit unproven in the NFL, explosive playmaker. The top playmakers coming out in this years draft for the Dolphins to target would be West Virginia’s Pat White or Florida’s Percy Harvin. Harvin hasn’t declared for the draft yet, but is expected to and is perhaps the most versatile threat coming out of the NCAA this season. The only catch here is Harvin is not likely to fall far enough in the draft that Miami could get their hands on him. However, White may fall far enough and would be an excellent weapon in the Dolphins wildcat scheme.

The Dolphins also have offensive line issues to answer. The Dolphins would like to resign T Vernon Carey, but if they cannot they must go out and find either a back up ready to emerge as a starter or sign a stop gap player and draft someone for a long term solution. The Dolphins also appear interested in changing  personnel at center, with C Jason Brown (25) of Baltimore being the top available free agent.

On defense, the Dolphins have more issues to tackle. Most important, the team needs another pass rusher in the front 7. Two very good, and very expensive, options will be out there. Julius Peppers from Carolina and Terrell Suggs from Baltimore. The only problem here, Baltimore is expected to stick the franchise tag on Suggs. Other options exist, but these two are far and away the best.

At linebacker, the Dolphins are trying to work out a new deal for Channing Crowder, but money appears to be sticking point with Crowder already having rejected one offer. If he were to go, Baltimore’s Bart Scott is likely to end up a free agent as the Ravens may not have the money to sign Scott in addition to free agents Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis.

As for CBs and Safeties, it gets a little easier. The best options at CB, should the Dolphins desire change, are Oakland’s Nnamdi Asomugha and Houston’s Dunta Robinson. The Dolphins want to keep both Yeremiah Bell and Renaldo Hill at the safety positions, but in the event they don’t, OJ Atogwe, James Butler, and Jim Leonhard are all good options on the free agent market.

For now, the Dolphins are free to dream big. They are expected to be roughly $25 million below the NFL salary cap, leaving them room to spend freely and acquire some big names. If they spend wisely, they could attract 2-3 talented new players to a franchise with renewed hope of success. Lets hope the Dolphins are proactive and get what they need to make 2009 as enjoyable for the fans as 2008.