Ireland doesn't seem to think this is a rebuilding year.

[Pappy13]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/24/2605681/miami-dolphins-gm-jeff-ireland.html

“Are we rebuilding? I do not believe so. Are we continuing to build? Yes. We are going to build around what [coach] Joe Philbin’s vision is, a collaborative effort [with] what I’m looking for. I do like the core pieces of this roster.”

I agree. The last half of the year showed that the Dolphins have enough pieces to be competitive. They need some upgrades and if they found one at QB, that would go a long way toward making 2012 something to look forward to. That and a new coaching staff could be all we need to get back to the playoffs or at least contending for the playoffs.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Don't read anything into this other than Ireland isn't a moron. 

Cause only a moron would say, "yeah, we consider this a rebuilding year.  We will field a team, but nobody really expects to make the playoffs in 2012, hopefully we will be in the mix in 2013."

[MikeO]

The NFL has changed. Rebuilding is a word (which I use and shouldn't really) that is dead and buried in the NFL. Every team is on a 1 year plan for the most part. The days of giving a coach or GM 3 to 4 years are over with.

You ain't gotta win big but you better show progress and steady progress or else your screwed as a coach/gm. 

On to Ireland's quote, the defense is there. It's not perfect by any means  but it was better than a lot of the defenses that was in the playoffs this year. And was the BEST defense in the AFC East by a very wide margin. It wasn't even close actually. It's all about the offense. Getting some playmakers at WR and TE and a legit QB to throw the ball to them. Fix a spot or two on the o-line as well.

This isn't a total rebuild. Rebuild the offense, YES! Blow it up actually. On defense though not much needs to be added. Pass rusher, #2 CB, a safety.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

The NFL has changed. Rebuilding is a word (which I use and shouldn't really) that is dead and buried in the NFL. Every team is on a 1 year plan for the most part. The days of giving a coach or GM 3 to 4 years are over with.

I agree with half of that. 

Coaches/GMs still get a couple of years to build a team.  So I disagree with you there.

But you can't use the word.  At the begining of the season you can't say, "we see this as a build/rebuild year"  cause you are implying you have already decided you ain't making a run for the playoffs.  That is loser talk.

End of the season you might say, "we had a rebuilding year, and expect to do better next year"  But you never talk about the future as rebuilding.

[Dave Gray]

I don't really think we're rebuilding, either.

I'd say that we have a few positions to work on, but if we can get good QB play, then we can win some games and make the playoffs.  In fact, a lot of that will be helped if the Jets and Pats fall off a bit.

[el diablo]

Its more like re-tooling. Every team does that every year. Rebuilding implies a vision. I'm not seeing that. "Rebuilding" around a 3rd level candidate doesn't imply a vision. It implies a scapegoat.