Despite not boasting a receiver who had more than two touchdowns or 900 yards, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano made it clear this week that elite free-agent receivers such as T.J. Houshmandzadeh may not be too high on their wish-list.

"We finished in the top 10 in offense (last) year and we don't have any stars in that group," he said. "Everybody knows that. Dan Henning and our offensive staff did a tremendous job of spreading the ball around and getting it to our people.

"Is it important to have one (an elite receiver), yeah. But I've been in some situations where we've not had that guy and finished in the top 10 in offense so I like where we are. They are unselfish. If you get that piece, great. Better hope it fits. But if you don't, we're prepared to go without it."

Sparano is a fan of second-year receiver Ted Ginn Jr., who was relegated to backup returner and was widely criticized for his affinity to avoid getting hit, even at the cost of fighting for a few extra yards.

"From day one I've been involved with him, he's worked hard and gotten better and better. He's really learned how to be a solid pro," Sparano said. "Ginn made some of the big plays this year you want some of those first-line receivers to make.

"Ted knows he's got room to get better right now. We make (special teams) decisions. It's not Ted's fault (he was pulled off the unit). When you look at the big picture and see the big plays Ted did make during the course of the season, this guy had two kick returns called back."

Ginn did finish with a team-leading 56 catches for 790 yards with two touchdowns, as well as two end-around scores. The Dolphins are counting on a full recovery by receiver Greg Camarillo (knee) and the continued growth of young receivers' Davone Bess and Brandon London.

The free-agent receiver class is tissue-thin, but the draft will be filled with quality athletic receivers, the kind team czar Bill Parcells covets. Tuna doesn't believe in drafting receivers too high, but Rutgers' Kenny Britt, Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey, Ohio State's Brian Robiskie or UNC's Hakeem Nicks may be hard to pass up.

As for Miami's five starting free-agents, none received a franchise tag, but it would behoove the Dolphins to re-sign strong safety Yeremiah Bell before teams come calling. They'll probably lose versatile tackle Vernon Carey, who may have moved to the top of team's wish-lists after Carolina locked up Jordan Gross. LB Channing Crowder and the team are far apart, so the former Gator's departure seems inevitable. CBs Andre' Goodman and FS Renaldo Hill are solid, but replaceable.

"All those players did a heck of a job for me. They know that I think an awful lot about every one of them. As a head coach you would love to have all your guys back," Sparano said. "One way or another you've got to address (the position). Whether it's with your player, the one you have, or through the draft or through free agency again."

Parcells and Co. treasure mammoth nose tackles in their 3-4 alignment and with Jason Ferguson approaching middle age, the Dolphins may look to spend the bulk of their $24 million salary cap dough on Titans free-agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. At 6-6, 320 pounds, Haynesworth can collapse pockets and QBs at the same time, and just 27, could be the heart of Miami's defense for years to come. Of the free-agent linebackers, Ravens' Bart Scott would be a solid addition to the corps, with Akin Ayodele shifting further inside.

"I would think that when you are 1-15, and now you're 11-5, and you've started to turn the corner," Sparano said. "That it would be attractive to the free agents. The players on our team right now probably have a pretty good message to potential free agents that might be out there, one way or another, so that also helps."