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The 2011 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League (NFL), the 46th overall and the fourth and final under head coach Tony Sparano. The Dolphins made their first round selection with the 15th pick of the 2011 NFL draft on Florida offensive lineman Mike Pouncey. The team got off to an 0–7 start but won six of their final nine games, however, this result failed to improve on their record from 2010 and Sparano was fired on December 12.

Offseason

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.

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.
5. Compensatory selection

Personnel changes

Brian Daboll joins the team as offensive coordinator. Karl Dorrell moves to quarter backs coach from wide receivers coach. Jeff Nixon added as the running backs coach. Steve Bush moves to wide receivers coach from offensive quality control. Ike Hilliard added as an assistant wide receivers coach. Dan Campbell moves to tight ends coach from intern. Bryan Cox is 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, quarter back 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 quarter back 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 quarter back Tyler Thigpen, UFA quarter back 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

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

• Date: September 12
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 82 °F or 27.8 °C, partly cloudy
• Game attendance: 66,860
• Referee: Pete Morelli
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden & Ron Jaworski, Suzy Kolber & Wendi Nix

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

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

With the loss, the Dolphins dropped to 0–2.

Week 3: at Cleveland Browns

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

With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–3.

Week 4: at San Diego Chargers

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

With the loss, the Dolphins went into their bye week 0–4.

Week 6: at New York Jets

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: October 17
• Game time: 8:30 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 62 °F or 16.7 °C, clear
• Game attendance: 78,912
• Referee: Tony Corrente
• TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden and Suzy Kolber

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

Week 7: vs. Denver Broncos

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

• Date: October 23
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 77 °F or 25 °C, sunny
• Game attendance: 63,800
• Referee: Clete Blakeman
• TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots

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

Week 8: at New York Giants

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

With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–7.

Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs

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

With the win, the Dolphins improved to 1–7 and made the Colts the only winless team.

Week 10: vs. Washington Redskins

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

With the win, the Dolphins improved to 2–7.

Week 11: vs. Buffalo Bills

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

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

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

• Date: November 24
• Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST/3:15 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
• Game attendance: 87,418
• Referee: Pete Morelli
• TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz & Phil Simms

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

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

With the win, the Dolphins improved to 4–8.

Week 14: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

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

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

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

Week 16: at New England Patriots

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

Week 17: vs. New York Jets

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

• Date: January 1
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 78 °F or 25.6 °C, sunny
• Game attendance: 65,811
• Referee: Jerome Boger
• TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel & Dan Dierdorf

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

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• 2011 National Football League season by team
• Miami Dolphins seasons
• 2011 in sports in Florida