Tweaks and Tips: How the Dolphins Can Go .500

In my last column I briefly stated that I think the Dolphins could emerge at season's end winning at least half of their games. They have the talent to do so. Coming off of one of the worst seasons in franchise history, where they matched records held by expansion teams in their exhibition year, the Dolphins have done in Week 3 what they couldn't accomplish until Week 15—win a game. The list continues on what the Dolphins, widely known last year in cyberspace as the LOLphins, have accomplished in three weeks that they couldn't do in, well, nearly an entire season in some cases last year. But that's not the point. Coach Cam Cameron had a hands-off approach that the team would just coach itself, or so it seemed. The firing of nearly the entire front office by Vice President of Operations Bill Parcells at the close of last season shook up the team, and left many long-time players to find a new squad. But was that the right choice? Well, I’d like to think that if Big Tuna does something, it’s probably for the best. The out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new-shit-or-get-off-the-pot approach to the 2008 season Parcells took showed that he’s getting the Dolphins back on track. It’s yet to be seen what will be the outcome of the two draft picks the Fins got for Jason Taylor, or if cutting defensive anchor Zach Thomas was the right move. After such a shake-up, including other major player and staff moves, is it possible for the Fins to go 8-8 this year? Aside from winning the seven of their 13 remaining games, there’s gonna have to be some changes. This week I look at positional strategies that could use some tweaking. We’ll start today at running back.

With Ricky Williams back from his dope-smoking hiatus long enough to play a game and Ronnie Brown seemingly recovered from a season-ending knee injury, the running game is slowly emerging. The pair has been sharing time, combining for 311 yards this season, with Williams getting slightly more carries than Brown. To start the season, having the two share time was a good call. With Brown’s status iffy and Williams’ ability to lay off the pipe unknown, having the two active, with Williams the healthier and the starter, made sense. But looking at their performance, Williams is taking away time that Brown could use to shine. Brown has done (slightly) more with less, rushing for 11 yards more with three less carries. Williams has 37 carries for 150 yards, an average of 4.05 yards per carry; Brown has 161 yards on 34 carries for an average of 4.74 yards per carry. Before his season-ending injury in 2007, Brown was the leading NFL rusher and had over 1,000 yards in 2006, his second year in the league. After his performance Week 3 against New England, we’ve clearly seen that Brown can take charge and perform. He had 113 yards for four touchdowns that week. Williams has no touchdowns vs. Brown’s five.

This isn’t kindergarten, not everything needs to be shared. Brown is the one who will get it done this season, while Williams just sucks up time. The numbers show that Brown can do more with less, which is what you need in this league. Williams isn’t going to be the back he once was. Brown’s numbers would be much more significant if he had the starting position and the opportunity to play to his full potential. Yes, Williams is talented, but not like Brown. If the Dolphins want to go far this season they need to give the ball to Brown. End of story.

Part one of series to be continued throughout week, covering Dolphins positions. VD can be contacted at jvandien@hotmail.com