NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Observations on the 2003 Miami Dolphins from training camp practices:

	Fiedler

1. A healthy offseason has really helped Jay Fiedler work on a lot of little things to improve his passing game. What people tend to forget is that Fiedler efficiently runs the Dolphins' offense and he's a winner, capable of winning 11 games a season. Maybe he's not flashy. His goal this year is to improve his downfield accuracy on intermediate and long passes. There is no quarterback controversy between Fiedler and Brian Griese. They're an effective one-two punch. Fiedler completed his first 12 passes against the Titans during Saturday's scrimmage in Nashville, including a deep completion to James McKnight.

2. The left side of the line is a little scary and could be a big problem for the Dolphins. Left tackle Mark Dixon and left guard Jamie Nails are quite capable blockers. But Dixon has a history of back problems and he's getting older. Nails is coming off an Achilles tear and has some ankle problems. He's missing some valuable practice time, and that might be a problem. During Saturday's scrimmage against the Titans, defensive end Jevon Kearse beat Dixon with a strong outside rush and pushed Dixon into the quarterback.

3. Chris Chambers needs to step up. The Dolphins moved him to flanker last season. Though he led the team with 52 catches for 734 yards, that's not enough production from the flanker position. Chambers needs at least a 70-catch season. Chambers excelled as a rookie split end, and you start to wonder if Chambers isn't as effective in a flanker position that plays off the line of scrimmage and is forced to go in motion more.

4. The return of cornerback Terrell Buckley was welcomed. Jamar Fletcher, a 2001 first-rounder, struggled the past two seasons because offenses schemed to position cornerbacks Patrick Surtain or Sam Madison on the outside and isolate Fletcher in the middle of the field. Buckley is so good in the slot that those worries are over. He's the third corner. Fletcher is the fourth.

5. Defensive end Jason Taylor said the only way he can avoid a label of having an off season is by having 19 sacks. He had 18½ last year. Taylor looks in such great shape he might be able to do that. He plays in the 245-pound range, but he's so strong and has so many quick moves against tackles that he is hard to stop. Don't count him out.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.