Run Heavy Offense For Dolphins?
By Brian Miller
May 20, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor talks with quarterback Michael Vick (7) during organized team activities at the NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Under Mike Sherman the Miami Dolphins were a pass happy team. A pass happy team that saw Ryan Tannehill laid out more often than not. A pass happy team that featured minimal deep ball connections between Mike Wallace and Tannehill. A pass happy offense that simply didn’t work well enough when it mattered the most. Bill Lazor may be changing that.
Lazor has a history of using run heavy schemes and in Philadelphia, the Eagles saw an improved rushing attack under Lazor despite the fact he was the teams QB coach. This off-season Miami has bolstered pieces of their line but have also added RB Knowshon Moreno and have been rumored to have discussed a trade with Tennessee for Chris Johnson. They are still expected to draft a running back in May’s draft. Will the Dolphins become a run heavy team?
No, not likely. Not yet.
While it would be normal for the Dolphins to try and develop a run heavy offense in an era of pro-football designed to aid the passing teams, Miami simply does not possess the talent to be able to run the ball. In fact while they are not likely to be a pass happy offense, they may be far more balanced and that could be a good thing for a team who lacks any real offensive identity.
It’s overstated for certain but nothing will kill an offense faster than a poor offensive line. Miami’s was atrocious. Simply atrocious. Forget about the locker room garbage the team on the field was just as bad. They did pull it together a bit towards the end of the season but frankly, the lack of ability to score in the final two weeks of 2013 should have been a huge indication on just how bad the line had been.
The addition of Brandon Albert will help along with the addition of Shelley Smith. Mike Pouncey will return to man the center of the line but questions still anchor the left, even after the signing of Jason Fox. The team also lacks blocking consistency from both TE positions. Something that is needed to successfully run the ball. That is why I do not foresee the Dolphins becoming as heavy with the run as some may believe. The talent on the offense is at the WR position and the offensive line is not repaired enough to feature an aggressive run style offense. This team is made to be balanced at best.
While this could all change after the draft the reality is even then the Dolphins will face youth and inexperience issues. Regardless of what they draft, the Dolphins running game will surely be improved over last years unit that ran an average of 90 yards per game and only gave the team eight points on the ground. Miami’s focus needs to be on repairing this problem not overhauling it. Spit and mortar won’t fix it but neither will knocking down the wall.
Bill Lazor very could be the biggest or the worst free agent acquisition of this off-season.