5 things to watch from Miami Dolphins on Sunday

Sep 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins guard Dallas Thomas (63) looks to block Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (95) at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo beats Miami 29 to 10. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

DALLAS THOMAS

The Dolphins coaching staff see something in Dallas Thomas but fans are wondering what exactly it is. Thomas was pretty stout in training camp and pre-season but last week he reverted back to his inability to pass protect. He was credited with giving up two sacks (Tannehill was sacked three times) and while one should have been shared with Branden Albert, the strip sack fumble, Thomas is supposed to be making progress and he simply isn’t. Not enough, quickly enough.

At some point the Dolphins are going to need to revamp the offensive line. They have a starter in Ja’Wuan James and another in Mike Pouncey but Branden Albert has two maybe three years left in Miami under the current parameters of his contract and the Dolphins have done little to address the future. Especially given the off-season concerns over Albert’s return to the 2015 season after his ACL injury in 2014.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The offensive line needs to do a better job. There is no way around it. An offense can not fire cohesively without solid line play and the Dolphins unit is far too inconsistent. Last week the line blocked very well for Lamar Miller late in the game but for the first three quarters the team couldn’t generate enough yards to sustain drives. It put the team into pass-happy mode and the Redskins didn’t need to worry about protecting against the run. At least not until the Dolphins had a lead and went back to the running game that netted Lamar Miller two carries through the first half.

Tannehill has been sacked more times in the last three seasons than any other quarterback in the NFL and that is primarily a result of the offensive line issues. Pass protection has been a big problem for the Dolphins obviously and an area that the coaches have yet to truly address, instead staying with players they have hopes for but have yet to show they can do the job when it matters the most. This week against the Jaguars, the Dolphins front lineman must give Tannehill the time to work the field and his progressions. If they can’t the game will stay close once again.