1999 record: 9-7, third in the AFC East (wild card).

Last five years: 45-35.

Coach: Dave Wannstedt (first year, 41-57 in six NFL seasons as a head coach).

Playoff past: The Dolphins haven't reached the AFC Championship Game since 1992. They were routed 62-7 by Jacksonville in the second round of last year's playoffs.

Outlook

Many in South Florida think he's crazy, but first-year coach Dave Wannstedt of the Miami Dolphins doesn't believe his quarterback position will be a problem.

"I think whoever starts for us will be efficient and make good decisions,'' Wannstedt said. "I'm not sure quarterback is our No. 1 concern right now. I think whomever we pick will do a solid job for us.''

He obviously isn't in concert with his fans, who still are moaning the loss of Dan Marino, who retired.

Dolphins fans don't think that Jay Fiedler, the former Dartmouth quarterback, or Damon Huard, Marino's backup, is the answer. But Wannstedt points out that both are smart, good athletes and can throw on the move.

Both quarterbacks know they are under pressure.

"You'd have to be an idiot not to realize how much Dan Marino has meant to this team,'' said Fiedler, Mark Brunell's backup in Jacksonville last season. "But there's nothing I can do to change what Dan Marino has done over the last 17 years. It's not my concern what he did. My only concern is going out there, winning this job, moving the offense and getting as many wins as possible.''

Fiedler, 28, has started only one NFL game in his career. After failing to stick with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cincinnati Bengals, he was a volunteer coach at Hofstra. He also played at Amsterdam of NFL Europe, but he isn't the most famous quarterback off that team. It's Kurt Warner, who was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in leading the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl crown last year.

Huard, entering his third season, looked good at times a year ago but also was horrendous in a 23-3 loss to Buffalo, completing only 9 of 25 passes for 65 yards.

Whoever plays the position will be directing a new offense, which former Dallas Cowboys Coach Chan Gailey has brought in with him as offensive coordinator.

"Very few guys who are offensive coordinator believe in the running game,'' Wannstedt said. "Chan Gailey believes in the running game.''

Second-year pro J.J. Johnson will get the first crack at the No. 1 running backs job. But the Dolphins' recent history is that the position will be handled by committee.

Fielder or Huard will be throwing to one of the better receiving corps in the league in Tony Martin, O.J. McDuffie, Leslie Shepherd and Bert Emanuel.

The Dolphins' defense always is solid, and Wannstedt thinks he has the two best kickers in the league in Olindo Mare and punter Matt Turk, formerly of Washington.

"I know the defense is in the top five in the league,'' Wannstedt said. "The offense has ability, but we're young. I would like to think by the start of the regular season we'll have gained enough confidence on offense to be a complete team.''

Schedule preview: If the Dolphins manage to stay in contention through their first 11 games, their playoff mettle will be sorely tested in a five-week finishing stretch that includes division games at Indianapolis, Buffalo and New England (the season finale) and home contests against the Colts and NFC power Tampa Bay. Their bye falls on Week 7, and they don't face a division opponent until they play host to the Patriots in Week 4.

1999 offensive ranking: No. 20 overall, No. 22 rushing, tied for No. 13 passing.

1999 defensive ranking: No. 5 overall, No. 8 vs. the rush, No. 5 vs. the pass. rushing.

Key players lost from 1999: QB Dan Marino (retired), OG Kevin Gogan (released), CB Terrell Buckley (to Denver), TE Troy Drayton (released), FB Stanley Pritchett (to Philadelphia), S Shawn Wooden (to Chicago).

Key additions for 2000: QB Jay Fiedler (Jaguars), OG Heath Irwin (Patriots), WR Bert Emanuel (Buccaneers), P Matt Turk (Redskins).

Rookies to watch: Without a first-round pick, the only rookie who could compete for a starting spot is second-round pick Todd Wade, offensive tackle from Mississippi.

Offensive line: The left side is set with Richmond Webb at tackle and Mark Dixon at guard, but there are plenty of question marks on the right side of the line. Kevin Donnelly, who underachieved last year when he split time with Gogan, will battle Irwin for the job. Right tackle is wide open. The Dolphins would like to see Wade, 6-feet-8, 319 pounds, win the job. Tim Ruddy, solid but not spectacular, remains the starter at center.

Wide receiver/tight ends: If McDuffie is healthy, this could be one of the strongest positions on the team. Martin hasn't lost at step at 34. Emanuel, Shepherd and Gadsen are quite capable of being the third, fourth and fifth receivers. Tight end is a different story. Hunter Goodwin is a big dropoff from Drayton, who was let get away because of recurring knee injuries.

Running backs: Former coach Jimmy Johnson tried everything imaginable to get the Dolphins a running game but little worked. The Dolphins have given up on Cecil Collins because of his legal woes. Johnson inherits the starting job, but he hasn't shown that he can stay healthy. Free-agent acquisitions Lamar Smith and Thurman Thomas add depth here. Second-year pro Rob Konrad is going to be given every opportunity to be the starter at fullback.

Quarterbacks: The Dolphins think they have a good one in Fiedler or Huard, but most of the league isn't sure. Fiedler was impressive at Jacksonville, but he never has been a starter on a regular basis. Huard was 6-1 as a starter after replacing Marino, but he has done little to excite Wannstedt. If they both fail, the Dolphins also have Jim Druckenmiller, the former 49ers' first-round draft pick.

Defensive line: Here's where the Dolphins are loaded. Tackles Tim Bowen and Daryl Gardener are impossible to push off the line of scrimmage. End Rich Owens is coming off an 8.5 sack season. Jason Taylor has underachieved, but at 6-6, 260 pounds, he has tremendous potential. Trace Armstrong never seems to age. Under Johnson, the Dolphins concentrated on stockpiling talent on the line and it worked.

Linebackers: There's not a better run stuffer than middle linebacker Zack Thomas, who made the Pro Bowl after getting a team-high 167 tackles. Derrick Rodgers seemed to be a superstar in waiting a couple of years ago, but he is coming off a down season. Robert Jones, formerly with Dallas, never has lived up to potential. There is little depth behind them.

Secondary: Cornerback Sam Madison has a knack for the ball. He has 15 interceptions the past two seasons. Patrick Surtain is expected to be the other starter, but he faces some legal problems off the field. Strong safety is a question mark. There is no heir apparent to Wooden. So, as a result, Dolphins opponents likely will throw often to the tight end.

Special teams: Kicker is a real strength. Mare set a league record with 39 field goals a year ago. Many considered him the Dolphins' most valuable offensive player. Turk is an upgrade at punter. He got a bad rap with the volatile Redskins.