Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins Preview

By Jason Kirk  |   Saturday, September 10, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Miami Dolphins
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!
Head coach Nick Saban makes his Miami Dolphins debut Sunday when Miami hosts the Denver Broncos in the season opener for both teams. Saban, who was lured to the Dolphins in the off-season from LSU, had never had a losing record in his 11 seasons at the college ranks. This year could be different though, as he tries to improve a team that finished 4-12 last season. With questions at the quarterback and offensive line positions, Saban will definitely have his hands full this season.

Saban has elected to go with Gus Frerotte as the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback, at least for now. Frerotte, who had a rather sub-par preseason, was named the starter because neither AJ Feeley nor Sage Rosenfels could do anything to supplant the 11-year veteran. Feeley had such a poor preseason that Rosenfels has now been promoted to backup Frerotte. The one positive is that Frerotte is familiar with the system of offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who came from the Minnesota Vikings where Frerotte was a backup.

Rookie running back Ronnie Brown will start in the backfield as Ricky Williams, who started in the preseason, serves his four-game suspension. Williams was suspended for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy after failing his third drug test just before he retired last season. Brown, the second overall pick in the April draft, missed the first three preseason games because of a contract holdout, leaving his readiness for Sunday's opener in question.

The biggest question will be the play of the offensive line. The line, which has been hot and cold in the preseason, has caught the wrath of Saban recently for too many costly penalties and lackluster play. During the off-season Saban hired offensive line guru Hudson Houck to create some of the same magic he produced with the San Diego Chargers. With the weapons Miami has at the receiver and tight end position, the line will need to hold their ground for Frerotte, especially if Ronnie Brown struggles early.

On the defensive side the Dolphins will have several new faces. With new additions Vonnie Holiday, Kevin Carter, Keith Traylor, Lance Shulters, and rookie Channing Crowder all starting, the Dolphins will need to come together early. The defense, which has been the strong point of the team after a slow outing in training camp, will utilize more schemes to confuse their opponents, such as the 3-4. The new schemes are something that Saban has installed to give some freshness to a defensive game plan that had been rather predictable in the past. Look for rookie cornerback Travis Daniels to play a significant amount, after having a good preseason. Daniels, a fourth-round pick in April's draft, is the most familiar with the system since he played for Saban at LSU.

For the Denver Broncos, head coach Mike Shanahan has decided to stick with incumbent starter Jake Plummer as his quarterback. Plummer had an erratic season last year throwing for 4,089 yards, breaking John Elway's 11-year-old team record, and 27 touchdowns but was also intercepted 20 times. Plummer looked very solid in the preseason throwing three touchdowns with no interceptions and had a passer rating of 123.6 to lead the Broncos to a 4-0 record.

Denver traded running back Reuben Droughns, who rushed for 1,240 yards last year, to the Cleveland Browns this off-season. However, the backfield should be strong with a healthy Mike Anderson, who rushed for 1,487 yards in 2000, returning to earn the starting spot over second-year back Tatum Bell. As in years past, the Broncos running game should once again be at the top of the league thanks to a dominant offensive line.

Overall the Miami Dolphins have a big game ahead of them on Sunday. With plenty of question marks at several key positions, head coach Nick Saban has plenty to worry about and very few answers to rely on.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report