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2011 Miami Dolphins season

46th season in franchise history From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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The 2011 season was the Miami Dolphins' 42nd in the National Football League (NFL), their 46th overall, and their fourth and final season under head coach Tony Sparano.[1] The Dolphins made their first-round selection with the 15th pick of the 2011 NFL draft on Florida offensive lineman Mike Pouncey. The team lost each of their first seven games but went 6–3 in their final nine to finish with an overall 6–10 record. However, this result failed to improve on their record from 2010, and Sparano was fired on December 12.

Quick Facts Miami Dolphins season, General manager ...
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Offseason

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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.[2][3] Charles Davis of NFL.com predicted they would draft Mark Ingram II from the University of Alabama.[4]

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  1. The Dolphins traded its second-round selection (#46 overall) and a 2010 second-round selection to the Denver Broncos in exchange for WR Brandon Marshall.
  2. The Dolphins traded its third-round selection (#79 overall), fifth-round selection (#146 overall) and a seventh-round selection (#217 overall) to the Washington Redskins in exchange for a second-round selection (#62 overall).
  3. The Dolphins traded its sixth-round selection (#179 overall) and seventh-round selection (#218 overall) to the Green Bay Packers for their sixth-round selection (#174 overall) and seventh-round selection (#231 overall).
  4. The Dolphins acquired this seventh-round selection (#218 overall) in a May 2010 trade that sent G Justin Smiley to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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

Signings

Departures

Trades

Team captains

The team voted the following as their 2011 team captains.

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Head coach Tony Sparano decided that the special teams captain would be selected on week to week basis.[34]

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Staff

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More information Miami Dolphins 2011 staff ...
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Final roster

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2011 Miami Dolphins roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 6 reserve, 8 practice squad
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Schedule

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Preseason

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The Dolphins' defensive backs huddle during the preseason opener in Atlanta.
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Regular season

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Game summaries

Week 1: vs. New England Patriots

Week One: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
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at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

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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

Week Two: Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
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at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: September 18
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 87 °F or 30.6 °C, sunny
  • Game attendance: 51,032
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
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With the loss, the Dolphins dropped to 0–2.

Week 3: at Cleveland Browns

Week Three: Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
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at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: September 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 70 °F or 21.1 °C, sunny
  • Game attendance: 66,651
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui and Randy Cross
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With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–3.

Week 4: at San Diego Chargers

Week Four: Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
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at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT/1:15 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 84 °F or 28.9 °C, sunny
  • Game attendance: 63,002
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
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With the loss, the Dolphins went into their bye week 0–4.

Week 6: at New York Jets

Week Six: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Game summary
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at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

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With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–5.

Week 7: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Seven: Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
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at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

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With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–6.

Week 8: at New York Giants

Week Eight: Miami Dolphins at New York Giants – Game summary
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at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 45 °F or 7.2 °C, sunny
  • Game attendance: 79,302
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
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With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–7.

Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Nine: Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
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at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 62 °F or 16.7 °C, cloudy
  • Game attendance: 72,263
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
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With the win, the Dolphins improved to 1–7 and made the Colts the only winless team.

Week 10: vs. Washington Redskins

Week Ten: Washington Redskins at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
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at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 79 °F or 26.1 °C, mostly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 57,007
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers & Tim Ryan
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With the win, the Dolphins improved to 2–7.

Week 11: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week Eleven: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
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at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 80 °F or 26.7 °C, mostly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 57,531
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Marv Albert and Rich Gannon
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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).[35]

Week 12: at Dallas Cowboys

Thanksgiving Day game

Week Twelve: Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
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at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

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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

Week Thirteen: Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
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at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 80 °F or 26.7 °C, sunny
  • Game attendance: 57,225
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel & Dan Dierdorf
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With the win, the Dolphins improved to 4–8.

Week 14: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week Fourteen: Philadelphia Eagles at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
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at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 75 °F or 23.9 °C, cloudy
  • Game attendance: 67,823
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Tim Ryan and Jaime Maggio
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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

Week Fifteen: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
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at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 31 °F or −0.6 °C, cloudy/snow
  • Game attendance: 60,988
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
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Week 16: at New England Patriots

Week Sixteen: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – Game summary
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at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 30 °F or −1.1 °C, sunny and cold
  • Game attendance: 68,756
  • Referee: Alberto Riveron
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
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Week 17: vs. New York Jets

Week Seventeen: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
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at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

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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.

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Standings

More information AFC East, W ...
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References

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