Makings of an elite offensive line in Miami

By Hugo Guzman  |   Tuesday, October 07, 2008  |  Comments( 5 )

Miami Dolphins
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When searching for key catalysts in the Miami Dolphins’ sudden offensive resurgence, you hear names like Ronnie Brown, Chad Pennington, Anthony Fasano and even relative unknowns of Greg Camarillo's ilk.

But perhaps the names team followers should be calling out are Jake Long, Vernon Carey, Samson Satele, Justin Smiley and Ikechuku Ndukwe.

Miami’s offensive line has quickly gelled into one of the most formidable units in the NFL, with its run-blocking prowess having translated into a 4.3 yards per carry average to go along with six rushing touchdowns. The Dolphins' sound pass blocking, meanwhile, has led to only seven sacks against in four games and a team passer rating of 94.8. Also, the unit has committed just four penalties all season.

Granted, much of Miami’s rushing success can be attributed to its "Wildcat” alignment as well as Brown’s unprecedented response to ACL reconstructive surgery less than a year ago. Also, some would say that the team's efficient passing attack has more to do with Pennington’s quick decision-making and accuracy than with the protection his line affords him. However, a closer look at the progression from Week 1 through Week 5 offers up some startling revelations about Miami's up-and-coming offensive line.

Let’s start with penalties, which have been an Achilles heel for Miami’s O-line for years. In Week 1, there were two penalties -- both attributed to the rookie Long -- called on the line. In Week 2, Smiley was flagged for a false start -- the unit’s lone penalty on the day. In Week 3, Ndukwe was called for a false start, which was the sole penalty the group took. Then, on Sunday, the quintet wasn't charged with any infractions. Such numbers suggest that Miami’s front line is cleaning up its act on a weekly basis.

But avoiding costly penalties is just one facet of a truly elite offensive line. Another key is a group's ability to create lanes for its running backs.

Miami’s running back tandem gained just 47 yards on 16 carries in Week 1, good for under 3.0 yards per rush. In Week 2, Brown and Ricky Williams combined for 53 yards on 22 carries. That’s an even worse per-carry average, but at least Brown was able to find the end zone in the fourth quarter. Week 3 bore witness to a run-blocking metamorphosis in which the tandem rushed for 211 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries. While the backs' production was aided by the “Wildcat," it was clear that the line was a key factor. Week 5 saw Brown and Williams combine for 164 yards and a TD on 37 runs. It can be argued that Sunday's was the team’s best rushing performance of the season because the Dolphins were able to kill the clock and put the game on ice by running the football at a San Diego defense that new exactly what was coming but couldn't stop it.

And while this punishing brand of running is likely to be the offensive line’s calling card for years to come, it’s the five's ability to protect the quarterback and create passing lanes that will likely take them into the upper echelon of the league. Consider that Pennington took four sacks in Week 1, two in Week 2 and a total of one over the last two games. Again, it seems clear that the line has taken a quantum leap over the course of the first four games.

It’s still early in the season; thus, there’s no sense in rushing to proclaim this offensive line as NFL royalty just yet. However, when you consider that its longest-tenured constituent -- Carey, the right tackle -- is just 27 years old, it’s surely hard for fans to contain their excitement.

It certainly appears that one of the league's youngest offensive lines is quickly becoming one of its best.
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About Hugo Guzman

Co-founder of RealFootball365.com. Born in Argentina, of Dominican descent, living in Hoboken, but from Miami through and ...
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