Linehan’s offense has Dolfans craving for the days of old

By Jason Kirk  |   Friday, August 05, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Miami Dolphins
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With new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, don't expect the Miami Dolphins to be a running team as they were during the Dave Wannstedt era. Even with a philosophy of a run-pass mix, Linehan likes to throw the ball deep and likes to do it often.

In 2002, his first season as the Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator, the Vikings ranked #2 in the NFL and led the league in rushing with a 156.7 yard per game average. The following season, the Minnesota Viking offense ranked #1 in the league, best in franchise history, finishing fourth in both passing and rushing. They finished the season with 416 points, the 2nd highest total in franchise history behind the NFL-record 556 points scored in 1998. The 2003 Vikings also set franchise records for most net yards and average yards per game with 6,294 and 393.4 yards, respectively. They followed that season up with the #4 offense in 2004. They also had the #2 passing offense in the league that season.

During the off-season, new Miami Dolphins Head Coach Nick Saban, was able to lure Scott Linehan away from the Vikings and signed him to a three-year deal. Since the opening of training camp, the Dolphins and their new offensive coordinator have showed glimpses of a deep passing game, even surprising a defense that has grown accustomed to being the dominant force at practice in recent years. This new “passing attack,” has the Dolphins' receivers thirsting for more and should once again have a #84 dominating the field. This #84 isn't Randy Moss, which Linehan coached the past three seasons, but Chris Chambers, the Dolphins best receiver. Chambers has said in past years that he wished the Dolphins' passing attack contained more deep routes. His wish should come true this season.

Even with the running back and quarterback situation in disarray so far in training camp, don't expect Linehan to shy away and run a more conservative attack. Whoever lines up behind center, Gus Frerotte or AJ Feeley, the Dolphins will be throwing the ball downfield. This season's offensive attack should quench the appetite of those Dolfans hungry for a more vertical passing game and thirsting for the days of the Marino-Duper-Clayton connection. Is that a stretch? Maybe, but if Scott Linehan's past three seasons are any indicator, it's definitely a possibility.
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