2013 Miami Dolphins season

2013 Miami Dolphins season
Owner	Stephen M. Ross
Head coach	Joe Philbin
General manager	Jeff Ireland
Home field	Sun Life Stadium
Results
Record	8–8
Division place	3rd AFC East
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	4 P Brandon Fields CB Brent Grimes C Mike Pouncey DE Cameron Wake
Uniform
← 2012 Dolphins seasons 2014 →

The 2013 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 44th season in the National Football league (NFL), and the 48th overall in the American Football Conference Eastern Division (AFC East). The season concluded with the Dolphins finishing third in the AFC Eastern Division with an 8–8 record, and no postseason play for the fifth consecutive season. The Dolphins allowed a league-high 58 sacks.^[1]

The Dolphins entered the season under second-year head coach Joe Philbin.

Personnel changes[]

Logo change[]

During the 2012 season, speculation about the Dolphins updating their current logo, which was introduced during the 1997 season, began during a conference call with season-ticket holders; as owner Stephen Ross and CEO Mike Dee eagerly agreed with a fan on the potential changing of the logo.^[2] On December 26, 2012, via Dolphins CEO Mike Dee's Twitter account, Dee unofficially announced that a logo change would take place, but the team was still considering different designs; and an official announcement would be provided sometime before the 2013 NFL Draft.^[3]

On March 27, 2013, following an accidental leaking of the new Dolphins logo on NFL.com, Dee confirmed in a press conference that the leaked image, as seen on NFL.com, was in fact the new official logo.^[4] This announcement came almost a month premature to the scheduled release date of the logo on April 25.

Roster changes[]

Signings[]

Pos.	Player	2012 Team	Contract
WR	Mike Wallace	Pittsburgh Steelers	5 years, $60 million
LB	Dannell Ellerbe	Baltimore Ravens	5 years, $35 million
LB	Philip Wheeler	Oakland Raiders	5 years, $26 million
WR	Brandon Gibson	St. Louis Rams	3 years, $9.7 million
CB	Brent Grimes	Atlanta Falcons	1 year, $5.5 million
TE	Dustin Keller	New York Jets	1 year, $4.2 million
OT	Tyson Clabo	Atlanta Falcons	1 year, $3.5 million
DE		Minnesota Vikings

Re-Signings[]

Pos.	Player	Contract
OT	Nate Garner	3 years, $4.8 million
FS	Chris Clemons	1 year, $2.7 million
WR	Julius Pruitt	2 year, $1 million

Departures[]

Pos.	Player	2013 Team
OT	Jake Long	St. Louis Rams
CB	Sean Smith	Kansas City Chiefs
RB	Reggie Bush	Detroit Lions
LB	Kevin Burnett	Oakland Raiders
LB	Karlos Dansby	Arizona Cardinals
DE	Randy Starks	Cleveland Browns
TE	Anthony Fasano	Kansas City Chiefs
DE	Tony McDaniel	Seattle Seahawks
K	Nate Kaeding	Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Miami Dolphins entered the 2013 off-season with an estimated $45 million in salary cap space, third most among other teams, to retain the contracts of impending unrestricted free agents: running back Reggie Bush, safety Chris Clemons, tight end Anthony Fasano, wide receiver Brian Hartline, offensive tackle Jake Long, quarterback Matt Moore, cornerback Sean Smith and defensive tackle Randy Starks.^[5] As well as any future free agent signings, and 2013 NFL Draft picks.

On March 4, 2013, the Dolphins placed their franchise tag on defensive tackle Randy Starks, and Starks signed the franchise tender on March 20. The move kept Starks from becoming an unrestricted free agent and guaranteed him $8.45 million from the $3.72 million earned during the 2012 season.^[6]

On March 8, 2013, coming off his best career season, wide receiver Brian Hartline signed a new five-year contract for an estimated $31 million to remain with the Dolphins. Hartline's agent Drew Rosenhaus believed Hartline could have received more money in the open market, but decided to take a discount to remain a Dolphin.^[7] Shortly after, it was reported that quarterback Matt Moore signed a new two-year contract for an estimated $8 million, and should continue to play a backup role behind second year quarterback Ryan Tannehill.^[8]

When the NFL free agency period began at 4 p.m. EST on March 12, 2013, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace, who was viewed as the top free agent prospect of the 2013 offseason by many analysts,^[9] signed a five-year contract for an estimated $60 million.^[10] The Dolphins signed former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe to a five-year deal worth an estimated $35 million,^[11] and former Oakland Raiders linebacker Philip Wheeler to a five-year deal worth an estimated $26 million.^[12] Subsequently, Miami released veteran linebackers Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett.^[13][14] While safety Chris Clemons re-signed a one-year contract to remain a Dolphin,^[15] and unrestricted free agent Anthony Fasano, who had spent the last five seasons in Miami, signed a four-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.^[16]

On March 13, 2013, it was reported that Reggie Bush had signed a four-year $16 million contract to play for the Detroit Lions.^[17]

On March 15, 2013, cornerback Sean Smith decided to part ways from the Dolphins and signed a new three-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.^[18] Former New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller signed a new one-year contract, worth an estimated $4.25 million, and former St. Louis Rams wide receiver Brandon Gibson signed a new three-year contract with the Dolphins.^[19][20]

Former Dolphins 2008 first round draft pick, offensive tackle Jake Long, after courting offers from various teams, signed a new four-year contract, worth an estimated $34 million, with the St. Louis Rams on March 18, 2013.^[21]

On March 30, 2013, cornerback Brent Grimes signed a one-year $5.5 million year with the Dolphins.^[22]

On October 22, 2013, the Dolphins acquired offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie from the Baltimore Ravens for a conditional late round pick.^[23]

2013 draft class[]

The 2013 National Football League Draft was held from April 25–27 in the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Round	Selection	Player	Position	College	Ref	Notes
1	3	Dion Jordan	Defensive end	Oregon	[24]	[a]
2	54	Jamar Taylor	Cornerback	Boise State	[25]	[a] [b]
3	77	Dallas Thomas	Tackle/Guard	Tennessee	[26]
	93	Will Davis	Cornerback	Utah State	[27]	[c]
4	104	Jelani Jenkins	Linebacker	Florida	[28]	[d]
	106	Dion Sims	Tight end	Michigan St.	[29]	[c]
5	164	Mike Gillislee	Running back	Florida	[30]	[c] [d]
	166	Caleb Sturgis	Placekicker	Florida	[30]	[e]
7	250	Don Jones	Strong safety	Arkansas State		[c] [d] [e]

Notes

^{^[a]} The Dolphins traded their first- (No. 12 overall) and original second- (No. 42 overall) round selections to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for the Raiders' first-round selection (No. 3 overall).

^{^[b]} The Dolphins acquired this second-round selection in a trade that sent cornerback Vontae Davis to the Indianapolis Colts.

^{^[c]} The Dolphins previously acquired an additional third-round selection — No. 82 overall — as part of a March 2012 trade that sent wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears. The Dolphins later traded the No. 82 selection to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for two fourth-round selections from the Saints — Nos. 106 and 109 overall. The No. 109 selection, along with the Dolphins' original fifth-round selection (No. 146 overall) and one of their seventh-round selections (No. 224 overall — previously acquired in a July 2012 trade that sent guard Ryan Cook to the Dallas Cowboys), were traded to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for one of the Packers' third-round selections (No. 93 overall).

^{^[d]} The Dolphins acquired these fourth- and fifth-round selections in a trade that sent wide receiver Davone Bess the team's original fourth- and seventh-round selections (Nos. 111 and 217 overall, respectively) to the Cleveland Browns.

^{^[e]} Compensatory selection.

The Dolphins did not have a selection in the sixth round. The team traded their sixth-round selection (No. 180 overall) along with fourth- and sixth-round selections from the 2012 NFL Draft to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the 49ers' 2012 fourth-round selection.

Staff[]

2013 Miami Dolphins staff

	Front office Chairman/Managing General Partner – Stephen Ross Vice Chairman/Partner – Jorge Perez Vice Chairman – Don Shula President/CEO – Tom Garfinkel General Manager – Jeff Ireland Assistant General Manager – Brian Gaine Executive Vice President of Football Administration – Dawn Aponte Director of College Scouting – Chris Grier Assistant Director of College Scouting – Director of Pro Scouting – Assistant Director of Pro Scouting – Head coaches Head Coach – Joe Philbin Offensive coaches Offensive Coordinator – Mike Sherman Quarterbacks – Zac Taylor Assistant Quarterbacks – Ben Johnson Running Backs – Jeff Nixon Wide Receivers – Ken O'Keefe Assistant Wide Receivers – Phil McGeoghan Tight Ends – Dan Campbell Offensive Line – Assistant Offensive Line – Chris Mosley			Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Kevin Coyle Defensive Line – Kacy Rodgers Assistant Defensive Line – Linebackers – George Edwards Defensive Quality Control/Assistant Linebackers – Defensive Backs – Lou Anarumo Assistant Defensive Backs – Blue Adams Special teams coaches Special Teams Coordinator – Darren Rizzi Assistant Special Teams Coordinator – Marwan Maalouf Strength and conditioning Head Strength and Conditioning – Assistant Strength and Conditioning –

Final roster[]

2013 Miami Dolphins final roster

	Quarterbacks  7 Pat Devlin  8 Matt Moore 17 Ryan Tannehill Running backs 23 Mike Gillislee 26 Lamar Miller 34 Marcus Thigpen 33 Daniel Thomas Wide receivers 82 Brian Hartline 18 Rishard Matthews 14 Marlon Moore 11 Mike Wallace Tight ends 42 Charles Clay FB 84 Michael Egnew FB 80 Dion Sims		Offensive linemen 66 David Arkin G 65 Sam Brenner C 77 Tyson Clabo T 75 Nate Garner G/T 74 John Jerry G 78 Bryant McKinnie T 51 Mike Pouncey C 70 Dallas Thomas G 62 Danny Watkins G Defensive linemen 90 A. J. Francis DT 95 Dion Jordan DE 98 Jared Odrick DT 79 Derrick Shelby DE 96 Paul Soliai DT 94 Randy Starks DT 50 Olivier Vernon DE 91 Cameron Wake DE		Linebackers 59 Dannell Ellerbe MLB 56 Jonathan Freeny OLB 53 Jelani Jenkins OLB 55 Koa Misi OLB 45 Austin Spitler MLB 93 Jason Trusnik MLB/OLB 52 Philip Wheeler OLB Defensive backs 37 Jalil Brown CB 28 Nolan Carroll CB 30 Chris Clemons FS 29 Will Davis CB 21 Brent Grimes CB 36 Don Jones FS 20 Reshad Jones SS 44 Jordan Kovacs SS 41 Chris Owens CB 22 Jamar Taylor CB 31 Michael Thomas S 27 Jimmy Wilson FS Special teams 92 John Denney LS  2 Brandon Fields P  9 Caleb Sturgis K		Reserve lists 19 Armon Binns WR (IR) 10 Brandon Gibson WR (IR) 68 Richie Incognito G (Suspended) 81 Dustin Keller TE (IR) 71 Jonathan Martin OT (NF-Ill.) 24 Dimitri Patterson CB (IR) 25 R. J. Stanford CB (IR) 72 Will Yeatman OT (IR) Practice squad 97 Isaako Aaitui DT 15 Reggie Dunn WR 57 Josh Kaddu OLB 32 Cameron Marshall RB 86 Kyle Miller TE 40 Emmanuel Ogbuehi FB/TE 87 Ryan Spadola WR 76 OT Rookies in italics 53 active, 8 inactive, 8 practice squad

Schedule[]

Preseason[]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	NFL.com recap
HOF	August 4	Dallas Cowboys	L 20–24	0–1	Fawcett Stadium (Canton, Ohio)	Recap
1	August 9	at Jacksonville Jaguars	W 27–3	1–1	EverBank Field	Recap
2	August 17	at Houston Texans	L 17–24	1–2	Reliant Stadium	Recap
3	August 24	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 16–17	1–3	Sun Life Stadium	Recap
4	August 29	New Orleans Saints	W 24–21	2–3	Sun Life Stadium	Recap

Regular season[]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Game site	NFL.com recap
1	September 8	at Cleveland Browns	W 23–10	1–0	FirstEnergy Stadium	Recap
2	September 15	at Indianapolis Colts	W 24–20	2–0	Lucas Oil Stadium	Recap
3	September 22	Atlanta Falcons	W 27–23	3–0	Sun Life Stadium	Recap
4	September 30	at New Orleans Saints	L 17–38	3–1	Mercedes-Benz Superdome	Recap
5	October 6	Baltimore Ravens	L 23–26	3–2	Sun Life Stadium	Recap
6	Bye
7	October 20	Buffalo Bills	L 21–23	3–3	Sun Life Stadium	Recap
8	October 27	at New England Patriots	L 17–27	3–4	Gillette Stadium	Recap
9	October 31	Cincinnati Bengals	W 22–20 (OT)	4–4	Sun Life Stadium	Recap
10	November 11	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 19–22	4–5	Raymond James Stadium	Recap
11	November 17	San Diego Chargers	W 20–16	5–5	Sun Life Stadium	Recap
12	November 24	Carolina Panthers	L 16–20	5–6	Sun Life Stadium	Recap
13	December 1	at New York Jets	W 23–3	6–6	MetLife Stadium	Recap
14	December 8	at Pittsburgh Steelers	W 34–28	7–6	Heinz Field	Recap
15	December 15	New England Patriots	W 24–20	8–6	Sun Life Stadium	Recap
16	December 22	at Buffalo Bills	L 0–19	8–7	Ralph Wilson Stadium	Recap
17	December 29	New York Jets	L 7–20	8–8	Sun Life Stadium	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries[]

Week 1: at Cleveland Browns[]

The Dolphins started their 2013 season on the road against the Browns. They would score first in the 1st quarter as Caleb Sturgis kicked a 45-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. They led 6-0 in the 2nd quarter after Sturgis kicked a 49-yard field goal. The Browns got on the board and took the lead before halftime as Brandon Weeden found Jordan Cameron on a 7-yard pass for a 7-6 score. After the break, the Dolphins went back to work and took the lead as Ryan Tannehill found Brian Hartline for a 34-yard pass and retook the lead 13-7. The Browns then came within 3 as Billy Cundiff kicked a 39-yard field goal shortening the lead to 13-10. In the 4th quarter it was all Dolphins and Daniel Thomas ran for a 1-yard TD making the score 20-10 while Sturgis kicked a 36-yard field goal for the final score of the game 23-10. It was the Dolphins' first road win over the Browns since 1993.

With the win, the Dolphins began their season 1-0.

Week 2: at Indianapolis Colts[]

The Dolphins traveled to take on the Colts. In the 1st quarter they got off to a fast start as Mike Wallace and Ryan Tannehill connected on an 18-yard TD pass for a 7-0 lead. The Colts got on the board as Adam Vinatieri nailed a 30-yard field goal for a 7-3 score. The Dolphins then increased their lead as Lamar Miller ran for a 10-yard TD making the score 14-3. The Colts would score in the 2nd quarter as Andrew Luck found Coby Fleener on a 3-yard TD pass shortening the lead to 4, 14-10. They eventually grabbed the lead as Ahmad Bradshaw ran for a 1-yard TD, 17-14. Caleb Sturgis of the Dolphins tied it up before halftime with a 54-yard field goal, 17-17. In the 3rd quarter, the Colts retook the lead as Vinatieri nailed a 38-yard field goal for a 20-17 game. The Dolphins then retook the lead as Charles Clay ran for a 1-yard TD for a 24-20 game. The Dolphins then held the Colts scoreless in the 4th quarter and vice versa which eventually gave the team the win as they improved to 2-0 on the season. This was also the Dolphins' first road win over the Colts since 2002.

Week 3: vs. Atlanta Falcons[]

The Dolphins went home for their season opener against the Falcons. The Falcons got off to a fast start as Matt Ryan found Jason Snelling on a 7-yard TD pass for a 7-0 lead the only score of the 1st quarter. They would make it 10-0 when Matt Bryant kicked a 52-yard field goal. The Dolphins got on the board when Daniel Thomas ran for a 5-yard TD coming within 3, 10-7. The Falcons then pushed ahead by 6 when Matt Bryant kicked a 30-yard field goal for a 13-7 lead. The Dolphins then wrapped up the scoring when Caleb Sturgis nailed a 46-yard field goal coming within 3 at halftime 13-10. The Falcons increased their lead in the 3rd quarter when Levine Toilolo caught a 2-yard pass from Ryan for a 20-10 lead not long before the Dolphins managed to tie the game at 20 when Sturgis kicked a 50-yard field goal followed up by Tannehill finding Brian Hartline on an 18-yard TD pass. The Falcons moved ahead in the 4th quarter as Bryant kicked a 33-yard field goal for a 23-20 lead but the Dolphins later on would score the game-winning TD when Tannehill found Dion Sims on a 1-yard pass for a final score of 27-23.

With the win, the Dolphins improved to 3-0.

Week 4: at New Orleans Saints[]

The Dolphins would suffer their first loss of the season as they lost to the New Orleans Saints 38-17 on Monday Night Football and failed to earn their first 4-0 start since 1995.

Week 5: vs. Baltimore Ravens[]

Miami would miss a field goal with less than a minute remaining. The miss doomed the Dolphins, as they lost to Baltimore 26-23 in a shootout game.

With the loss, Miami fell to 3-2.

Week 7: vs. Buffalo Bills[]

With their third straight loss, Miami fell to 3-3 after starting 3-0.

Week 8: at New England Patriots[]

With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 3-4.

Week 9: vs. Cincinnati Bengals[]

The Dolphins would force four turnovers in this game as they beat Cincinnati 22-20 in overtime on Thursday Night Football. The game ended with a safety in overtime on a sack on Andy Dalton in the end zone by Cameron Wake. It was the first time since Adewale Ogunleye tackled Fred Miller in Miller's own end zone on November 14, 2004, a game ended on a safety in overtime.

With the win, the Dolphins evened their record at 4-4.

Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers[]

Tampa Bay came into this game having not won a game, at 0-8. The Dolphins would trail 15-0 for most of the first 2 quarters, but they would score 19 unanswered points from the end of the second quarter through most of the third to take a 19-15 lead. However, the Buccaneers would take the lead for good when they scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to go up 22-19, which would be the final score, thus giving the Buccaneers their first win of the season. The Dolphins were also seeking their first win in Tampa since 1988.

With the bitter loss, the Dolphins fell to 4-5.

Week 11: vs. San Diego Chargers[]

With the win, the Dolphins improved to 5-5.

Week 12: vs. Carolina Panthers[]

Miami would build a 16-3 lead at one point. But the Panthers would rally behind Cam Newton to score a touchdown with less than a minute left. For the first time in franchise history, the Dolphins were defeated by the Panthers, as they had come into this game 4-0 all time against them.

With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 5-6.

Week 13: at New York Jets[]

With the commanding win, the Dolphins evened their record at 6-6.

Week 14: at Pittsburgh Steelers[]

In a game filled with snow similar to the Snowplow Game, the Dolphins would upset the Steelers 34-28 to keep their playoff hopes alive. The game is notable for the final play, in which the Steelers lateralled the ball 7 times, with the final lateral pass being caught by Antonio Brown in stride. Brown then sprinted down the sidelines, avoided several tackles, and sprinted into the endzone for an apparent game-winning touchdown. However, most noticeable on replay, Brown barely stepped out of bounds, with the left half of his foot barely touching the sideline. With the win, the Dolphins improved to 7-6. It was also the Dolphins' first win in Pittsburgh since 1990.

Week 15: vs. New England Patriots[]

With the win, the Dolphins improved to 8–6 and climbed to the second Wild Card seat; however, with the Ravens' victory over the Lions the following night, the team went back to the seventh spot in the playoff hunt.

Week 16: at Buffalo Bills[]

With the shutout loss, the Dolphins fell to 8-7 and put their playoff hopes on the line. This was the first time the Dolphins had been shoutout since week 17 of last year against the Patriots.

Week 17: vs. New York Jets[]

With the loss, coupled with a wins by the Steelers and Chargers, the Dolphins ended their season 8-8.

Standings[]

Division[]

AFC East
view talk	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
(2) New England Patriots	12	4	0	.750	4–2	9–3	444	338	W2
New York Jets	8	8	0	.500	3–3	5–7	290	387	W2
Miami Dolphins	8	8	0	.500	2–4	7–5	317	335	L2
Buffalo Bills	6	10	0	.375	3–3	5–7	339	388	L1

Conference[]

AFC[31][32] view talk
#	Team	Division	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	SOS	SOV	STK
Division winners
1	Denver Broncos	West	13	3	0	.813	5–1	9–3	.469	.423	W2
2	New England Patriots	East	12	4	0	.750	4–2	9–3	.473	.427	W2
3[a]	Cincinnati Bengals	North	11	5	0	.688	3–3	8–4	.480	.494	W2
4	Indianapolis Colts	South	11	5	0	.688	6–0	9–3	.484	.449	W3
Wild cards
5	Kansas City Chiefs	West	11	5	0	.688	2–4	7–5	.445	.335	L2
6	San Diego Chargers	West	9	7	0	.563	4–2	6–6	.496	.549	W4
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[b][c]	Pittsburgh Steelers	North	8	8	0	.500	4–2	6–6	.469	.441	W3
8[d]	Baltimore Ravens	North	8	8	0	.500	3–3	6–6	.484	.418	L2
9[e]	New York Jets	East	8	8	0	.500	3–3	5–7	.488	.414	W2
10	Miami Dolphins	East	8	8	0	.500	2–4	7–5	.523	.523	L2
11	Tennessee Titans	South	7	9	0	.438	2–4	6–6	.504	.375	W2
12	Buffalo Bills	East	6	10	0	.375	3–3	5–7	.520	.500	L1
13[f][g]	Oakland Raiders	West	4	12	0	.250	1–5	4–8	.523	.359	L6
14[h]	Jacksonville Jaguars	South	4	12	0	.250	3–3	4–8	.504	.234	L3
15	Cleveland Browns	North	4	12	0	.250	2–4	3–9	.516	.477	L7
16	Houston Texans	South	2	14	0	.125	1–5	2–10	.559	.500	L14
Tiebreakers[i]
^ Cincinnati defeated Indianapolis head-to-head (Week 14, 42–28). ^ Pittsburgh finished with a better division record than Baltimore. ^ Pittsburgh defeated the New York Jets head-to-head (Week 6, 19–6). ^ Baltimore defeated the New York Jets head-to-head (Week 12, 19–3). ^ The New York Jets finished with a better division record than Miami. ^ Oakland and Jacksonville finished with a better conference record than Cleveland. ^ Oakland defeated Jacksonville head-to-head (Week 2, 19–9). ^ Jacksonville defeated Cleveland head-to-head (Week 13, 32–28). ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• Miami Dolphins & NFL at the Miami Herald
• 2013 Miami Dolphins at ESPN