Fins' offense has 'a lot to improve on'

TDJets72027 · Aug 13, 2007

Throughout training camp, members of the Dolphins' organization talked about an expected increase in the offense's production under head coach and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

After Saturday night's exhibition opener, Miami showed it has a long way to go.

Quarterback Trent Green completed just 40 percent of his passes, and running back Ronnie Brown gained 8 yards on eight carries.

The struggles could be explained, in large part, to an ineffective performance by the team's revamped offensive line. None of the five projected starters are incumbents at their position and just one -- right guard Rex Hadnot -- started last season.

''I certainly don't want to say the offensive line is why we had problems,'' Green said. ``There is a learning curve for all of us, including myself.''

Second-round pick Samson Satele, who has spent most of the offseason as the center with the first unit, said there is room for improvement.

''We could do a lot better,'' he said. ``I don't know if we did anything bad or good, but we could do a lot better than what we did.''

A NEW LINE

Sixth-rounder Drew Mormino started next to Satele at left guard. Undrafted rookie Julius Wilson played most of the first half at left tackle after Vernon Carey, who was switched from the right side in the offseason, went down with a minor knee injury in the first quarter. Cameron said he expected Carey to be ``fine.''

''He probably could have come back and played,'' Cameron said. ``I was more nervous that maybe he got rolled up with that kind of play.''

Carey's loss robbed the offensive line, which recently saw Mormino switched to left guard to allow Hadnot to rejoin the first unit, of some cohesion.

''Vernon is the best O-Linemen we've got,'' Satele said. ``Julius did a good job when he came in. At one point, we had three rookies in there with the first squad. I think we handled ourselves better. Rex gave us points, and [right tackle Anthony] Alabi was helping everyone else.''

Jacksonville's tackle tandem of Marcus Stroud and John Henderson collapsed Miami's front several time and forced Green to make some early decisions.

Green was sacked twice and ducked under a near third when reserve end James Wyche came around the left side in the second quarter.

''I never like seeing my quarterback get hit like that, get sacked like that,'' Satele said.

``But, we'll get it down. I told him we'll try not to let you get touched as much this season.''

Brown found running lanes in rare supply during the first half. As a team, Miami gained just 14 yards on 11 first-half carries.

''We have some young guys in there,'' Brown said. ``As a whole offense, we've got a lot to improve on. We've got high goals for ourselves and expectations. Just knowing that and keeping that in mind, it's a continuous process. We're trying to improve from week to week.''

IMPROVEMENT NOTICED

Brown said he noticed improvement in the young linemen as the game progressed.

''I think the main thing, on this level, is being comfortable,'' he said. ``Guys coming in here, you're a rookie and you're excited about being on the field. You've got to worry about your assignments, and the speed of the game is a little bit faster. You kind of adjust as the game goes on and get a little more comfortable as the game goes on. You kind of [saw] that a little bit with some of the younger guys.''

Mormino said he was ''kind of wide-eyed a little bit'' at first.

''But, after that, it was fine,'' he said. ``I settled down a little bit. I played with pretty good technique. I was really trying to focus on technique and just getting after people. I did a pretty good job. I had some mess-ups here and there, but I'll learn from them and get better.''

In addition to the revamped line, four other players, including rookie receiver Ted Ginn and Green, made their Miami debuts with Miami's first-string unit.

''We are a new group of offensive players,'' Green said. ``That's why you play the preseason. The players have argued for years to get it shortened to two games, and management's wanted to keep it at four. [Saturday night] was a clear reason why. You have some young guys playing, some new guys playing, and there's time for us to jell.''
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http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/201207.html

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Fins' offense has 'a lot to improve on'

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Fins' offense has 'a lot to improve on'

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