Stepping Forward: Dolphins Offense

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/02/stepping-forward-offense.html

Stepping Forward: Dolphins Offense

Wondering how the Miami Dolphins can take the next step at each position?

This blog will focus in on the offensive side of the ball and touch on the various issues the Trifecta has broken down during their postseason meetings, which set the team up for free agency and April's NFL draft.

QUARTERBACK - Find a way to ensure that Chad Pennington stays healthy for a second straight season, and speed up the development of young quarterbacks Chad Henne and John Beck, possibly by having them take the lead in the offseason workouts.

RUNNING BACK- Tailbacks have short shelf lives in the NFL. Ronnie Brown, who holds an opt-out option for the 2010 season, finally played his first full season. But will he have a second straight? Ricky Williams will be 32 this season, and Patrick Cobbs is a utility back. Finding a young runner to add to the stable would be ideal, but isn't a necessity. The Dolphins also need a better lead blocker than Lousaka Polite, or find a way to help last year's waiver wire find improve in that area.

TIGHT END - Anthony Fasano and David Martin are both entering the final year of their deals with the Dolphins. One, if not both, need to be locked up long term based on their production last season. The Dolphins should also determine if Joey Haynos is worth developing, or do they select a young tight end late in the 2009 draft?

RECEIVER - Most of Miami's receivers are young and fairly green, which is why it would be beneficial for the Dolphins to add a veteran who could teach Greg Camarillo, Ted Ginn Jr., Davone Bess and Brandon London the finer points of film study, route running, and route adjustments. It wouldn't hurt if the receiver added was a run-after-catch specialist, or special teams returner. I'm told receivers make the biggest jump in their development during their third season, which is what 2009 will be for two of the four.

OFFENSIVE LINE - With or without free agent tackle Vernon Carey being retained the Dolphins must get bigger and better on the offensive line, especially the interior of the unit, which struggled at times last season due to injuries and inconsistency. Justin Smiley, the top performing lineman, must come back healthy from his season-ending leg and ankle injuries. Even if Donald Thomas returns to his old starting spot, and picks up where he left off, there is little depth at guard and center. And both spots need addressing in the draft, or through free agency.

SPECIAL TEAMS - The Dolphins have a young pair of legs in kicker Dan Carpenter and punter Brandon Fields. But strengthening the coverage unit should be a priority considering that phase of the team struggled at times last season. It would also be wise to add another return specialist considering the Dolphins struggled there last year.

So, if you had the Tuna and his helper's ears how would you improve the 2009 Dolphins offense?

Tomorrow we'll examine the defense and ways that unit can take a step forward.

Deuces.

> Posted by Omar Kelly at 4:31:14 PM