Offense is starting to come together!

Oh, they are far from being a unit that can score points the way San Diego did.  In fact, they are far from being able to score points on a consistent basis.  That being said, the Miami Dolphins offense, is starting to come together.

It has been a slow start for the offensive unit who are trying to grow through changes at quarterback as well as yet another shake-up on the offensive line.  Oh and did I mention that there is a new offensive system in place as well?  Maybe it’s not quite in place….yet, but it is still yet another piece that has to evolve.

The offensive line was supposed to be made up of Vernon Carey at LT, Mormino/Liewienski at LG, Satele at Center, Hadnot at RG, and Shelton at RT.  So far it has been Mormino and Alabi running with the 1st team with varying degrees of minor success….as in very litte, and Hadnot and Shelton relegated to the 2nd team unit.  A rather big surprise.

These moves bring into question the future of Hadnot and Shelton and at the same time one should wonder if Cameron and Houck are remotely content with what they have on the line.  Cameron can look to himself and GM Randy Mueller if that is the case, taking Ginn in round 1 was considered by some a reach. A trade down could have been done and an Olineman could have been taken instead late in round 1.  Either way, that is history and the Dolphins need to concentrate on what is there and not what could have been or could be.  There is still talk in league circles that Pete Kendall is trying desperately to get out of NY.  He may very well get his wish at some point, but that is not something that the Dolphins need to be relying on.  Hudson Houck is supposed to be the best Oline coach in the game.  A genius of sorts.  After 3 years in Miami he has sat back and watched below average talent come and go in south Florida.  To say that he is frustrated is likely being nice.  Still, he has a job to do and his job is the hardest on the offensive side of the ball.  It is also the job that will determine what this team does this year.

So far it has been a tale of Trent Green interceptions vs. long completions.  Cleo Lemon hitting the WRs’ in stride and overthrowing the long ball.  John Beck in and out of consistency…he is a rookie and therefore a pass.

In practice the other day, all QBs’ scored in the 2 minute drill.  A positive sign.  Green is starting to develope some timing, a good sign.  The long ball is being completed.  Yet again, a good sign.

As far as the QB progression goes, we have to understand, as fans, that a QB can not just walk onto a field and start throwing bullets to guys he has never worked with.  It is a painstaking affair.  Realize also that miscommunication, due to the fact that they are not on the same page leads to interceptions.  Sure, Green was known as Tr-Int in KC, but this is a little different….for now.  When he thinks that Chambers is going to make a read one way and Chambers reads it the other, that is a pick.  When Green throws out a dart when Chambers is on a slant and the ball is behind Chris, that is timing.  It is a matter of Green adjusting to the speed of CC, and the others.  But it is progressing.  Green is starting to hit these guys more and more.  We are in week 1 of training camp and already there are subtle improvements, against a very very stout defensive unit as well.

The first game is in just over a week.  Jacksonville will be the first true test that the Dolphins face to determine their improvement.  Just remember, it will be easy to fall into the trap of comparing this team to last year, you should only compare this team to this team, and where they were a week ago.

There are a lot of changes and those changes take time to evolve.