2011 Miami Dolphins season

Offseason

2011 NFL draft

Main article: 2011 NFL draft

DraftKing.com, NFLMocks.com, and The Palm Beach Post predicted that the Dolphins would use their first round pick to choose Gabe Carimi, a left tackle for the Wisconsin Badgers who won the 2010 Outland Trophy as the nation's top collegiate interior lineman, and was a Consensus All-American. Charles Davis of NFL.com predicted they would draft Mark Ingram II from the University of Alabama.

Personnel changes

Brian Daboll joined the team as offensive coordinator. Karl Dorrell moved to quarterbacks coach from wide receivers coach. Jeff Nixon wasadded as the running backs coach. Steve Bush moved to wide receivers coach from offensive quality control. Ike Hilliard was added as an assistant wide receivers coach. Dan Campbell moved to tight ends coach from intern. Bryan Cox was added as a defensive pass rush coach.

Roster changes

Re-signings

• March 4 — Re-signed guard Richie Incognito three years
• July 30 — Re-signed defensive end Tony McDaniel two years
• August 5 — Re-signed offensive tackle Nate Garner, running back Lex Hilliard, offensive tackle Lydon Murtha, running back Kory Sheets

Signings

• July 26 — Signed quarterback Pat Devlin
• July 29 — Signed linebacker Kevin Burnett
• July 30 — Signed linebacker Jason Trusnik, quarterback Matt Moore
• July 31 — Signed defensive end Ronald Fields
• August 1 — Signed offensive tackle Marc Colombo
• August 2 — Signed linebacker Jason Taylor
• August 5 — Signed quarterback Kevin O'Connell
• August 6 — Signed offensive tackle Ray Willis
• August 9 — Signed linebacker David Nixon, cornerback K.J. Gerard
• August 15 — Signed wide receiver John Matthews, linebacker Marvin Mitchell
• August 22 — Signed guard Tyler Donohue
• August 23 — Signed running back Larry Johnson
• August 29 — Signed safety Gerald Alexander
• September 4 — Signed tight end Will Yeatman
• September 5 — Signed tight end Dante Rosario and center/guard Ryan Cook
• September 8 — Signed running back Larry Johnson
• September 14 — Signed cornerback Will Allen
• September 20 — Signed defensive end Igor Olshansky and cornerback Nate Jones
• September 28 — Signed running back Steve Slaton
• October 6 — Signed quarterback Sage Rosenfels

Departures

• July 29 — UFA quarterback Tyler Thigpen, UFA quarterback Chad Pennington
• August 2 — UFA running back Ronnie Brown, Released linebacker Channing Crowder
• August 3 — Terminated the contract of linebacker Tim Dobbins
• August 8 — UFA running back Ricky Williams
• August 15 — Waived wide receiver Brooks Foster
• August 23 — Waived running back Kory Sheets
• August 26 — Waived corner back K.J. Gerard, defensive tackle Johnny Jones, corner back Jose Perez
• August 27 — Waived/Injured linebacker Mike Rivera
• August 30 — Waived tackle Tyler Donahue
• September 2 — Waived tight end Dedrick Epps and wide receiver John Matthews. Terminated contract of safety Gerald Alexander.
• September 3 — Waived quarterback Kevin O'Connell, safety Mark Restelli, cornerback Vincent Agnew, tight end Brett Brackett, wide receiver Patrick Carter, guard Garrett Chisolm, quarterback Pat Devlin, linebacker Jonathan Freeny, running back Nic Grigsby, tackle D.J. Jones, tackle Matt Kopa, wide receiver Phillip Livas, cornerback Nate Ness, linebacker David Nixon, wide receiver Julius Pruitt, linebacker Robert Rose, tight end Mickey Shuler, and linebacker Quinton Spears. Terminated contracts with corner back Will Allen, nose tackle Ronald Fields, running back Larry Johnson, full back Lousaka Polite, and tackle Ray Willis.
• September 4 — Waived defensive tackle Frank Kearse
• September 5 — Released linebacker A.J. Edds and terminated the contract of center Joe Berger
• September 8 — Waived guard Ray Feinga
• September 13 — Terminated the contract of corner back Benny Sapp
• September 20 — Terminated the contracts of running back Larry Johnson and tight end Dante Rosario
• September 28 — Cut defensive end Ryan Baker

Trades

• July 29 — Traded reserve safety Jonathon Amaya and an exchange of undisclosed draft picks for running back Reggie Bush

Team captains

The team voted the following as their 2011 team captains.

Offense

• Chad Henne
• Jake Long

Defense

• Yeremiah Bell
• Karlos Dansby

;Special teams

Head coach Tony Sparano decided that the special teams captain would be selected on week to week basis.

Staff

Final roster

Schedule

Preseason

Regular season

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. New England Patriots

First quarter

• MIA – Chad Henne 9-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), Dolphins 7–0, Drive: 12 plays, 84 yards, 7:18.
• NE – BenJarvus Green-Ellis 4-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Tied 7–7, Drive: 6 plays, 78 yards, 3:28. Second quarter
• NE – Rob Gronkowski 10-yard reception from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 14–7, Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:54 Third quarter
• MIA – Brian Hartline 10-yard reception from Chad Henne (Dan Carpenter kick), Tied 14–14, Drive: 2 plays, 9 yards, 0:44
• NE – Wes Welker 2-yard reception from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 21–14, Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards, 4:06
• MIA – Dan Carpenter 20-yard field goal, Patriots 21–17, Drive: 10 plays, 87 yards, 4:47.
• NE – Aaron Hernandez 1-yard reception from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 28–17, Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 3:26 Fourth quarter
• NE – Stephen Gostkowski 20-yard field goal, Patriots 31–17, Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 3:35.
• NE – Wes Welker 99-yard reception from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), Patriots 38–17, Drive: 1 plays, 99 yards, 0:13
• MIA – Reggie Bush 2-yard reception from Chad Henne (Dan Carpenter kick), Patriots 38–24, Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 2:05 Top passers
• NE – Tom Brady – 32/48, 517 yards, 4 TDs
• MIA – Chad Henne – 30/49, 416 yards, 2 TDs Top rushers
• NE – Danny Woodhead – 14 rushes, 69 yards
• MIA – Chad Henne – 7 rushes, 59 yards, 1 TD Top receivers
• NE – Wes Welker – 8 receptions, 160 yards, 2 TDs
• MIA – Brandon Marshall – 7 receptions, 139 yards Top tacklers
• NE – Devin McCourty – 10 tackles, 1 assist
• MIA – Reshad Jones – 8 tackles, 4 assists

The Dolphins began their 2011 campaign at home, for a Week 1 AFC East duel with the New England Patriots in the first game of Monday Night Football's doubleheader. Miami delivered the game's opening splash with a 9-yard touchdown run from quarterback Chad Henne. The Patriots answered with running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis getting a 4-yard touchdown run. New England took the lead in the second quarter as quarterback Tom Brady completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski.

The Dolphins struck back in the third quarter as Henne found wide receiver Brian Hartline on a 10-yard touchdown pass, but New England came right back with Brady completing a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wes Welker. Miami replied with a 20-yard field goal from kicker Dan Carpenter, but the Patriots came right back with Brady completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez. New England added onto their in the fourth quarter as kicker Stephen Gostkowski got a 20-yard field goal, followed by Brady completing a 99-yard touchdown pass to Welker. The Dolphins would close out the game with Henne finding running back Reggie Bush on a 2-yard touchdown pass.

With the loss, Miami began their season at 0–1.

Week 2: vs. Houston Texans

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• HOU – Matt Schaub 21/29 230 Yds 2 TD
• MIA – Chad Henne 12/30 170 Yds 1 TD 1 Int. Top rushers
• HOU – Ben Tate 23 Rushes 103 Yds 4.5 Avg 16
• MIA – Daniel Thomas 18 Rushes 107 Yds. 5.9 Avg 14 Top receivers
• HOU – Andre Johnson 7 Rec 93 Yds 13.3 Avg 43 Lng 1 TD
• MIA – Brandon Marshall 6 Rec 79 Yds 13.2 Avg 29 Lng 1 TD Top tacklers
• HOU – Brian Cushing 7 Tack 3 Ast
• MIA – Randy Starks 6 Tack 0 Ast With the loss, the Dolphins dropped to 0–2.

Week 3: at Cleveland Browns

First quarter

• MIA (8:09) – Daniel Thomas 10 yd pass from Chad Henne (Dan Carpenter kick). (MIA 7-0) Drive: 4 plays, 43 yds, 1:56 Second quarter
• CLE (7:16) – Joshua Cribbs 33 yd pass from Colt McCoy (Phil Dawson kick). (Tied 7-7) Drive: 6 plays, 59 yds, 2:43
• MIA (0:27) – Dan Carpenter 23 yd field goal. (MIA 10-7) Drive: 11 plays, 75 yds, 3:38 Third quarter
• CLE (10:37) – Phil Dawson 30 yd field goal. (Tied 10-10) Drive: 9 plays, 68 yds, 4:23
• MIA (2:29) – Dan Carpenter 41 yd field goal. (MIA 13-10) Drive: 14 plays, 70 yds, 8:08 Fourth quarter
• MIA (3:23) – Dan Carpenter 38 yd field goal. (MIA 16-10) Drive: 8 plays, 39 yds, 2:57
• CLE (0:43) – Mohamed Massaquoi 14 yd pass from Colt McCoy (Phil Dawson kick) (CLE 17-16) Drive: 13 plays, 80 yds, 2:40 Top passers
• MIA – Chad Henne 19/29, 255 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
• CLE – Colt McCoy 19/39, 210 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT Top rushers
• MIA – Daniel Thomas 23 carr, 95 yds
• CLE – Montario Hardesty 14 carr, 67 yds Top receivers
• MIA – Brian Hartline 4 rec, 87 yds
• CLE – Benjamin Watson 5 rec, 64 yds Top tacklers
• MIA – Will Allen 5 tackles
• CLE – Ahtyba Rubin 8 tackles, 1.5 sacks With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–3.

Week 4: at San Diego Chargers

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• MIA – Matt More
• SD – Philp Rivers Top rushers
• MIA –
• SD – Top receivers
• MIA –
• SD – Top tacklers
• MIA –
• SD – With the loss, the Dolphins went into their bye week 0–4.

Week 6: at New York Jets

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• MIA – Matt Moore- 16/34, 204, 2INT
• NYJ – Mark Sanchez- 14/25, 201 yards, 1TD Top rushers
• MIA – Reggie Bush- 10 rushes, 71 yards
• NYJ – Shonn Greene- 21 rushes, 74 yards Top receivers
• MIA – Brandon Marshall- 6 receptions, 106 yards
• NYJ – Santonio Holmes- 3 receptions, 63 yards, 1TD Top tacklers
• MIA – Yeremiah Bell- 7 tackles
• NYJ – Jim Leonhard- 7 tackles Calvin Pace- 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 tackle for loss With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–5.

Week 7: vs. Denver Broncos

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• DEN –
• MIA – Top rushers
• DEN –
• MIA – Top receivers
• DEN –
• MIA – Top tacklers
• DEN –
• MIA –

The Broncos overcame a 15–0 fourth-quarter deficit and won on a game-winning field goal in overtime. With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–6 and recorded their first home loss to the Broncos in eight meetings.

Week 8: at New York Giants

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• MIA –
• NYG – Top rushers
• MIA –
• NYG – Top receivers
• MIA –
• NYG – Top tacklers
• MIA –
• NYG – With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–7.

Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• MIA –
• KC – Top rushers
• MIA –
• KC – Top receivers
• MIA –
• KC – Top tacklers
• MIA –
• KC – With the win, the Dolphins improved to 1–7 and made the Colts the only winless team.

Week 10: vs. Washington Redskins

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• WAS –
• MIA – Top rushers
• WAS –
• MIA – Top receivers
• WAS –
• MIA – Top tacklers
• WAS –
• MIA – With the win, the Dolphins improved to 2–7.

Week 11: vs. Buffalo Bills

First quarter

• BUF – Dave Rayner 30-yard field goal, Bills 3–0, Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:47.
• MIA – Anthony Fasano 10-yard reception from Matt Moore (Shayne Graham kick), Dolphins 7–3, Drive: 12 plays, 87 yards, 6:45
• MIA – Reggie Bush 5-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), Dolphins 14–3, Drive: 4 plays, 59 yards, 1:40. Second quarter
• MIA – Charles Clay 12-yard reception from Matt Moore (Shayne Graham kick), Dolphins 21–3, Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 2:09
• MIA – Davone Bess 4-yard reception from Matt Moore (Shayne Graham kick), Dolphins 28–3, Drive: 5 plays, 4 yards, 0:32
• BUF – Dave Rayner 56-yard field goal, Dolphins 28–6, Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 1:36. Third quarter
• MIA – Lex Hilliard recovered blocked punt in the end zone (Shayne Graham kick), Dolphins 35–6 Fourth quarter
• BUF – Daniel Thomas tackled in end zone by Kelvin Sheppard, Safety Top passers
• BUF –
• MIA – Top rushers
• BUF –
• MIA – Top receivers
• BUF –
• MIA – Top tacklers
• BUF –
• MIA –

Coming off their win over the Redskins, the Dolphins stayed at home for a Week 11 AFC East showdown with the Buffalo Bills. Miami trailed early in the first quarter as Bills kicker Dave Rayner made a 30-yard field goal, yet the Dolphins immediately answered with quarterback Matt Moore finding tight end Anthony Fasano on a 1-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 5-yard touchdown run from running back Reggie Bush. Miami would add onto their lead in the second quarter with Moore connecting with fullback Charles Clay on a 12-yard touchdown pass, followed by wide receiver Davone Bess on a 4-yard touchdown pass. Buffalo would close out the half with Rayner booting a 56-yard field goal.

The Dolphins continued their dominating day in the third quarter with running back Lex Hilliard recovering a blocked punt in the endzone for a touchdown (the team's first TD off of a blocked punt since 1990). The Bills tried to rally as linebacker Kelvin Sheppard tackled rookie running back Daniel Thomas in the endzone for a safety, but Miami's lead proved to be too much to overcome.

With the win, the Dolphins improved to 3–7.

This game also marked the first time since 1990 that Miami allowed 10 points or fewer in three straight games. They became the third team in NFL history to win 3 straight after starting the season at least 0–7 (1978 Cardinals and 1986 Colts).

Week 12: at Dallas Cowboys

Thanksgiving Day game First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• MIA –
• DAL – Top rushers
• MIA –
• DAL – Top receivers
• MIA –
• DAL – Top tacklers
• MIA –
• DAL –

Coming off their win over the Bills, the Dolphins flew to Cowboys Stadium for a Week 12 interconference duel with the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Miami delivered the game's opening punch in the first quarter with a 26-yard field goal from kicker Shayne Graham, but the Cowboys answered in the second quarter with kicker Dan Bailey getting a 32-yard field goal, followed by quarterback Tony Romo completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Laurent Robinson. The Dolphins would close out the half with a 28-yard field goal from Graham.

Miami would regain the lead in the third quarter with a 27-yard field goal from Graham, followed by quarterback Matt Moore finding wide receiver Brandon Marshall on a 35-yard field goal. Dallas struck back in the fourth quarter with Romo completing an 18-yard touchdown pass to Robinson. The Dolphins would reply with a 23-yard field goal from Graham, but the Cowboys got the last laugh with Bailey nailing the game-winning 28-yard field goal.

With the loss, Miami fell to 3–8.

Week 13: vs. Oakland Raiders

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• OAK –
• MIA – Top rushers
• OAK –
• MIA – Top receivers
• OAK –
• MIA – Top tacklers
• OAK –
• MIA – With the win, the Dolphins improved to 4–8.

Week 14: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• PHI –
• MIA – Top rushers
• PHI –
• MIA – Top receivers
• PHI –
• MIA – Top tacklers
• PHI –
• MIA – With the loss, the Dolphins dropped to 4–9, and were officially eliminated from postseason contention. One day later (December 12), head coach Tony Sparano was fired and replaced by assistant coach Todd Bowles on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.

Week 15: at Buffalo Bills

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• MIA –
• BUF – Top rushers
• MIA –
• BUF – Top receivers
• MIA –
• BUF – Top tacklers
• MIA –
• BUF –

Week 16: at New England Patriots

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• MIA –
• NE – Top rushers
• MIA –
• NE – Top receivers
• MIA –
• NE – Top tacklers
• MIA –
• NE –

Week 17: vs. New York Jets

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• NYJ – Mark Sanchez 21/32, 207 yds, 2 TDs
• MIA – Matt Moore 22/32, 135 yds, 1 TD Top rushers
• NYJ – L. Tomlinson 11 rushes, 56 yds
• MIA – Steve Slaton 11 rushes, 55 yds Top receivers
• NYJ – Jeremy Kerley 4 receptions, 71 yds
• MIA – Brandon Marshall 5 receptions, 50 yds Top tacklers
• NYJ –
• MIA –

The Dolphins closed out their season with a 19–17 win over the Jets that knocked the Jets out of playoff contention. The Dolphins intercepted Mark Sanchez three times and limited him to 235 passing yards. The win was the 400th in Miami Dolphins franchise history and the final game for Jason Taylor, held to one tackle in the game; he recovered what was initially ruled a fumble by the Jets and raced to a touchdown, but the score was nullified when the ball was ruled down by contact.

Standings

References

References

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2. (February 16, 2011). "1st Round « NFL Mocks | Covering the 2011 NFL Draft". NFLmocks.
3. Ben Volin. (March 14, 2011). "Mock Draft v. 2.0: Predicting the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft". The Palm Beach Post.
4. Charles Davis. (March 2, 2011). "Post-combine projection has Panthers taking aim at Newton". Nfl.com.
5. Ben Volin. (March 4, 2011). "Dolphins resign lineman Richie Incognito, place free-agent tender on backup QB Tyler Thigpen".
6. (July 28, 2011). "Dolphins' Wednesday Recap".
7. (August 9, 2011). "NFL: Team Transactions From August as of August 8, 10:00 PM ET - Inside Pulse".
8. Staff, Inquirer. "QB Pat Devlin signs with Miami Dolphins".
9. (2011-07-30). "Source: Dolphins sign LB Kevin Burnett".
10. "Jason Trusnik". [[The Washington Post]].
11. (July 29, 2011). "The Fabulous Forum". Los Angeles Times.
12. Carter, Andrew. "Miami Dolphins sign defensive lineman Ronald Fields".
13. Kelly, Omar. "Dolphins sign Marc Colombo, leave Vernon Carey in limbo".
14. (May 2013). "Jason Taylor }} {{dead link". Chicago Tribune.
15. Galicia, Thomas. "Miami Dolphins Sign Former Jets and Patriots Backup QB Kevin O'Connell".
16. Nelson, Chris J.. "Miami Dolphins Sign OT Ray Willis; Work out QB Troy Smith".
17. Nelson, Chris J.. "Miami Dolphins Sign DB K. J. Gerard, LB David Nixon".
18. "ProFootballWeekly.com - Dolphins sign WR Matthews".
19. "Miami Dolphins Talking Points: For the 2nd straight year, the better QB may be on the bench {{!}} The Daily Dolphin".
20. Murray, Rob. "Miami Dolphins Sign Running Back Larry Johnson".
21. "Miami Dolphins plan to keep churning the roster, as usual - Sun Sentinel".
22. "Will Allen Signs With Miami Dolphins".
23. "Dolphins sign DL Olshansky, CB Jones to shore up defense".
24. "With Dolphins still winless, Reggie Bush knows the time is now to turn things around". [[The Washington Post]].
25. "Dolphins ink Sage Rosenfels, Henne done for year".
26. Rosenthal, Gregg. (2011-07-27). "Tyler Thigpen headed to Buffalo".
27. "Pennington Gets New Gig - Marshall University News, Scores and Coverage from WVMETRONEWS.COM".
28. (August 2, 2011). "Eagles sign running back Ronnie Brown".
29. "Linebacker Channing Crowder, released by the Miami Dolphins, retires at 27.".
30. (August 1, 2011). "The Dolphins waived Tim Dobbins. His contract was terminated. He was due $1.5 in 2011 and was...".
31. "Archives - Philly.com".
32. Nogle, Kevin. (2011-09-03). "Miami Dolphins Complete Roster Cuts".
33. (July 28, 2011). "Bush dealt to Dolphins, agrees to two-year deal".
34. (June 2023). "Henne Elected Dolphins Captain".
35. "Miami Dolphins vs. Denver Broncos".
36. "Game Recap: Dolphins 35, Bills 8 « Dolphins Digital – Assets".