Offensively, the Miami Dolphins ended 2007 in total disarray. Starting at the top, an overhaul was necessary and has begun. Looking forward, there is a long way to go.
The Dolphins low offensive production was evidence in 2007; finishing 24th in passing offense with 189 yards per game, that a quarterback has to be found. Cleo Lemon, while playing in 9 games (starting 7) passed for 1,773 yards, accounted for 10 touchdowns (4 rushing) and 9 turnovers (3 lost fumbles) is hard to fault as he was sacked some 25 times. John Beck, the 25 year old rookie, played in 5 games (starting 4) showed his inexperience while passing for 559 yards and amassing a 1:3 touchdown to interception ratio. In Beck’s defense he was sacked 10 times in his limited play. Veteran Trent Green is still on the roster and the best option at quarterback if healthy. Green’s health is a question mark, because he has ended the last two seasons on injured reserve due to concussions.
As the health of the running backs return in 2008, this position should be the strength of the team, as it was in 2007. Although finishing a disappointing 23rd in rushing offense, the decline happened after Ronnie Brown had his season come to an end. In Brown’s 7 games he amassed 991 total yards and 5 touchdowns, more than that, he was an offensive threat the opposing team had to account for on every play, creating opportunities for other players on his team to make plays. Jesse Chatman and rookie Lorenzo Booker filled in admirably in Browns absence, (515 and 125 yards respectively) but what they showed is that the Dolphins have adequate depth at the running back position. The unknown factor at running back is the mercurial Ricky Williams. Williams finished last season on injured reserve after 6 carries after being reinstated from suspension. The Dolphins have already stated that they want Williams back next year; a healthy and mentally tuned Ricky Williams can add a much needed jolt to the Dolphin attack.
Ted Ginn Jr. finished the season with respectable stats with 34 catches for 420 yards and 2 touchdowns, but was more of a late bloomer as it took a while for him to gain the confidence and trust of the coaching staff. Ginn is improving as a receiver, but he must be put in the right situations, if his route running continues to improve he could be the outside option to complement Marty Booker (50 catches 556 yards and a touchdown) and give Miami a decent (not exceptional) group of receivers if you through Greg Camarillo in the slot. Derek Hagan has to correct his problem with the ‘drops’ if he wants to continue to see field time, especially with the new man in charge of football operations.
The offensive line wasn’t as bad as the picture the offensive statistics paint, fairing better in both run blocking and pass protection the first 7 games (all when Ronnie Brown played) and struggling from there on. C Samson Satele, proved to be a wise selection, starting all 16 games as a rookie. New Coach Tony Sparano is an offensive lineman at heart, so expect an upgrade in attitude and technique in the trenches. A talent upgrade is needed here, but it is hard pressed to figure Bill Parcells using the number one pick on T Jake Long out of Michigan.
