The 2013 season was the Miami Dolphins' 44th in the National Football league (NFL) and their 48th overall. The season concluded with the Dolphins finishing third in the AFC East 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 changesedit
Logo changeedit
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.
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]
^[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).
^[c] The Dolphins previously acquired an additional third-round selection — No. 82 overall — as part of a March 2012 trade that sent wide receiverBrandon 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 guardRyan 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.
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.
MIA – Brian Hartline – 9 receptions, 114 yards, TD
CLE – Jordan Cameron – 9 receptions, 108 yards, TD
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 Coltsedit
Week Two: Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
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 Falconsedit
Week Three: Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
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 Saintsedit
Week Four: Miami Dolphins at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
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 Ravensedit
Week Five: Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
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 Buccaneersedit
Week Ten: Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
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 Chargersedit
Week Eleven: San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
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 Jetsedit
Week Thirteen: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Game summary
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 Patriotsedit
Week Fifteen: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
NE – Julian Edelman – 13 receptions, 139 yards, TD
MIA – Mike Wallace – 6 receptions, 105 yards, TD
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 Billsedit
Week Sixteen: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
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 Jetsedit
Week Seventeen: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
^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.
Referencesedit
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^Volin, Ben (June 11, 2012). "Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross eager for uniform, stadium changes". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
^Dee, Mike (December 26, 2013). "CEO MikeDeeFins Twitter Account". Twitter. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
^Mike Florio (March 27, 2013). "Dolphins confirm new logo". Pro Football Talk. NBC. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
^Volin, Ben (2013). "Talking Points: Miami Dolphins don't have as much salary cap space as you think". Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on March 8, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
^ESPN.com News Services (March 4, 2013). "Dolphins franchise Randy Starks". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
^ESPN.com News Services (March 8, 2013). "Brian Hartline back with Dolphins". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
^Sessler, Marc (March 8, 2013). "Matt Moore signs new contract with Miami Dolphins". NFL.com. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
^Kelly, Omar (March 12, 2013). "Miami Dolphins agree to terms with Mike Wallace". Sun-Sentinel News Online. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
^Brinson, Ryan (March 12, 2013). "Dolphins sign LB Philip Wheeler to 5-year, $26 million deal". CBS Sports News Online. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
^Rosenthal, Gregg (March 12, 2013). "Dannell Ellerbe, Miami Dolphins agree to $35M deal". NFL.com. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
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^Brinson, Will (March 12, 2013). "Dolphins make it rain in South Beach". CBS Sports News Online. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
^Kelly, Omar (March 12, 2013). "Miami Dolphins have re-signed Chris Clemons". Sun-Sentinel News Online. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
^Hanzus, Dan (March 12, 2013). "Anthony Fasano, Mike DeVito agree to K.C. Chiefs deals". National Football League News Online. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
^"Lions add Reggie Bush to fold". ESPN.com. March 13, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
^ESPN.com News Services (March 15, 2013). "Chiefs sign Sean Smith". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
^Cimini, Rich (March 15, 2013). "Dustin Keller signs with Dolphins". ESPNNewYork.com. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
^Volin, Ben (March 15, 2013). "Miami Dolphins sign WR Bradon Gibson, too". Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on March 19, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
^Bell, Jarrett (March 18, 2013). "Jake Long, St. Louis agree to four-year term". USA Today Online. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
^Kareem Copeland (March 30, 2013). "Brent Grimes signs $5.5M contract with Miami Dolphins". NFL.com. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
^Adam H. Beasley (October 22, 2013). "Miami Dolphins trade for veteran offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
^Jim Corbett (April 26, 2013). "Dolphins shake up NFL draft by picking Dion Jordan". USA Today. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
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^Kevin Nogle (April 26, 2013). "NFL Draft Results: Dolphins Pick OT Dallas Thomas with 77th overall pick". The Phinsider. SB Nation. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
^Alessandro Miglio (April 27, 2013). "Will Davis to Dolphins: How Does the CB Fit with Miami?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
^"Florida LB Jelani Jenkins taken by Dolphins in 4th round of draft". Fox News. April 27, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
^Mike Griffith (April 27, 2013). "Michigan State tight end Dion Sims looks for bright future in Miami with the Dolphins, picked 106th". M Live. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
^ abOmar Kelly (April 27, 2013). "Dolphins get UF RB Mike Gillislee, K Caleb Sturgis in fifth round". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
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^"2013 NFL playoff picture". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 8, 2013.