This offseason the Miami Dolphins have used a lot of the team's resources to beef?up the defense, and there's a very simple explanation why.

Last year the Dolphins defense was ranked 15th in total yards allowed, giving?up?329 yards per game in 2008.That's middle of the pack, which means more work is needed. Even though the Dolphins defense recorded 40 sacks (8th best in the NFL) and 18 interceptions (also 8th best), there's still plenty of room for improvement.

I heard an executive say something very profound this offseason about building a?dominant Football team: "You can win with a mediocre offense and a great defense, but won't have much success with?it in?the ?reverse order."

Here's a look at the Dolphins' defensive depth chart heading into training camp. It'll be interesting to see if the Trifecta has added the right pieces that will allow this unit to tighten up.

Again, projected starters are in bold. For those interested in examining the offensive depth chart click here. Some minor alterations have been made.

DEFENSE

LE - Kendall Langford, Tony McDaniel, Rodrique Wright, Ryan Baker (R)

RE -?Randy Starks,?Phillip Merling, Lionel Dotson

What the Dolphins really need is for it's young, but somewhat experienced ends - Langford and Merling - to take the next step in their development. Neither applied much pass rushing pressure last season, and this year they won't have Vonnie Holliday around to hold their hands. Last year the Dolphins kept six defensive?ends on the 53-man roster, and it's likely they'll keep that same number in 2009. McDaniel, who was acquired?in a trade with Jacksonville for?a seventh-round pick, will start out his Dolphins tenure as a run-stuffing end. If that fails he'll likely be moved inside. Dotson got rave reviews from his teammates last year because of his pass rushing skills, but has done little on the field when it counts. He's got plenty to prove before he locks up a roster spot.?

NT - Jason Ferguson, Paul Soliai, Joe Cohen, Louis Ellis (R)

The Dolphins have no long term answer at this position, and that could become a problem if Ferguson, who is 34, can't play a full 16-game season.?A 3-4 defense isn't effective without a nose tackle serving as it's pillar. Soliai made a couple of eye-opening plays last season, but the former?fourth-round pick also received two head-scratching suspensions, and is hovering around 340 pounds. This is a poop or get off the pot season for him. Cohen and Ellis will likely be competing for a practice squad spot unless they show promise during training camp.

SLB - Matt Roth, Charlie Anderson, Tearrius George, Orion Martin (R)

WLB - Joey Porter, Cameron Wake (R), Erik Walden, Quentin Moses

At times last season Porter was the only defender in the front seven putting pressure on quarterbacks. In fact, the?Pro Bowlers sack total matched what every other defensive end and linebacker contributed last season.?Roth had his moments, but was typically used?on the first two downs as an edge-setter. Wake was imported from the CFL to see if he'll continue to serve as a sack specialist. But it'll likely take him a season or two to learn how the 3-4 scheme works. However, is experiences as a linebacker at Penn State should help.?Wake will?likely push Anderson for the pass rushing specialist role, but don't count Walden or George out just yet. Pittsburgh's James Harrison came out of nowhere to become a force once he finally learned the intricacies of the 3-4?scheme. It's possible the same thing can happen for any of these young hybrid linebackers. Possible, but probably not likely. But if this group of college?defensive end converts collectively contributes 15 sacks?to assist Porter?the defense will improve.

ILB - Channing Crowder, Reggie Torbor

ILB - Akin Ayodele, William Kershaw, J.D. Folsom (R)

The Dolphins have three decent inside linebackers in Crowder, Ayodele, and Torbor. But?none have?shown they?are difference makers. Crowder will likely continue to serve as the team's every down linebacker, and it'll be interesting to see if his play improves in his second season in that role. It's unlikely Torbor has what it takes to push Ayodele for his starting spot. Folson will likely compete with Kershaw for a spot on the practice squad.

LCB - Will Allen, Vontae Davis (R), Nathan Jones, Joey Thomas, Scorpio Babers

RCB - Jason Allen, Eric Green, Sean Smith (R), Will Billingsley

Adding two of the draft's top cornerbacks injected a lot of size and strength into this unit.Smith, who is a legit 6-foot-3,?immediately becomes this unit's biggest cornerback, and Davis (a weight room warrior) is the strongest. Each of these rookies should push for immediate playing time, if not a starting spot. But that will likely depend on how quickly they each?learn the scheme, and master the proper technique. Investing in their development is critical considering Will Allen, Thomas and Jones are all impending free agents. It's likely the Dolphins will keep six cornerbacks on the 53-man roster, and carry one (if not two) on the practice squad.

FS - Gibril Wilson, Chris Clemons (R), Ethan Kilmer

SS - Yeremiah Bell, Tyrone Culver, Courtney Bryan

The Dolphins supposedly upgraded at safety by signing Wilson, a free agent, to replace Renaldo Hill at free safety. Wilson's a lot more athletic than Hill, but it was Hill's leadership and communication skills that allowed the secondary to drastically improve last season. Will Wilson, who has played both strong and free safety in his NFL career,?bring that same leadership? Only time, and the unit's play will tell. Bell's durability issues?could mean?the backups?might see significant playing time. Remember, in 2007 the Dolphins went through six safeties. Clemons, a physical hitter with ball skills,?impressed the coaching staff during last weekend's rookie mini camp. Culver showed some promise in spurts last season, contributing 35 tackles and one interception. Bryan is a spunky fighter with limited upside. Kilmer is an unknown, but has a reputation as a special teams stud. Last year the Dolphins kept five safeties on the 53-man roster, but the logjam at cornerback might mean there's only room for four this season.

So, what, or who is?missing? Where was the most improvement made? And what else is needed to make this defense a top 10 unit?

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