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1. A first look at Chris Foerster's offense.
Despite being scaled down and missing both starting WR's and possibly Newson, we will get our first opportunity to see what effect Sullivan, Trestman and Foerster have had on the offense.
"We'll go with a controlled passing game and sometimes we'll take our shots. Do we take our best shot with Randy (McMichael)? Do we take our best shot with Kendall (Newson)? Do we feel a matchup this week with Derrius (Thompson) or Chris (Chambers)? There are so many options available to us each week.''
Will we see short drops in the passing game to offset the blitz? How effective will the screens be? Will Foerster utilize the FB and TE's?
2. The future of the defense?
Several young Dolphin defenders will get a chance to show (for the first time in some cases) that they could be ready to follow in the large footsteps of Sam Madison, Pat Surtain, Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor.
Tony Bua, Will Poole, Eddie Moore, Derrick Pope, T.J.Bingham, Tony Brown, and Otis Grigsby are all under 25 yrs old. They could show that the future is as bright at the present.
3. The 2004 free agent class.
This will be our first chance to determine how much of an impact some of the veteran additions will make. Three are slated to start tonight (Reggie Howard, John St.Clair and Jeno James) while three others have a shot to win starting jobs including A.J.Feeley, Sammy Morris and Antuan Edwards.
4. The offensive line.
The biggest uncertainty of the 2004 Dolphins. Even more of a concern than the QB's and WR's, the O-line has been labeled by some observers as "one of the worst in the NFL". This will be their first chance to grow as a unit and develop some chemistry for the regular season.
How big of a mistake was it to let Todd Wade go? Will Wade Smith take it to the next level? Will the mediocre play of Jerman & Whitley force Vernon Carey to move to guard? This unit will be the key to Miami's success or failure in 2004.
5. (R.B.B.C.)..Running back by committee.
Another big key to the offenses success will be establishing a solid running game to set up play-action in the passing game. All reports indicate that Travis Minor is ready to assume the duty as the top RB and he certainly seems capable of a 1,000 yard season. Will the RBBC somehow do well enough to make us forget the loss of Jerky Williams?
How will Sammy Morris compliment Minor's running style? Can Lil' Frodo Russell make an impact as a change-of-pace back/3rd down back? Will Leonard Henry get healthy in time to get in the mix or will it be too late?
Despite being scaled down and missing both starting WR's and possibly Newson, we will get our first opportunity to see what effect Sullivan, Trestman and Foerster have had on the offense.
"We'll go with a controlled passing game and sometimes we'll take our shots. Do we take our best shot with Randy (McMichael)? Do we take our best shot with Kendall (Newson)? Do we feel a matchup this week with Derrius (Thompson) or Chris (Chambers)? There are so many options available to us each week.''
Will we see short drops in the passing game to offset the blitz? How effective will the screens be? Will Foerster utilize the FB and TE's?
2. The future of the defense?
Several young Dolphin defenders will get a chance to show (for the first time in some cases) that they could be ready to follow in the large footsteps of Sam Madison, Pat Surtain, Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor.
Tony Bua, Will Poole, Eddie Moore, Derrick Pope, T.J.Bingham, Tony Brown, and Otis Grigsby are all under 25 yrs old. They could show that the future is as bright at the present.
3. The 2004 free agent class.
This will be our first chance to determine how much of an impact some of the veteran additions will make. Three are slated to start tonight (Reggie Howard, John St.Clair and Jeno James) while three others have a shot to win starting jobs including A.J.Feeley, Sammy Morris and Antuan Edwards.
4. The offensive line.
The biggest uncertainty of the 2004 Dolphins. Even more of a concern than the QB's and WR's, the O-line has been labeled by some observers as "one of the worst in the NFL". This will be their first chance to grow as a unit and develop some chemistry for the regular season.
How big of a mistake was it to let Todd Wade go? Will Wade Smith take it to the next level? Will the mediocre play of Jerman & Whitley force Vernon Carey to move to guard? This unit will be the key to Miami's success or failure in 2004.
5. (R.B.B.C.)..Running back by committee.
Another big key to the offenses success will be establishing a solid running game to set up play-action in the passing game. All reports indicate that Travis Minor is ready to assume the duty as the top RB and he certainly seems capable of a 1,000 yard season. Will the RBBC somehow do well enough to make us forget the loss of Jerky Williams?
How will Sammy Morris compliment Minor's running style? Can Lil' Frodo Russell make an impact as a change-of-pace back/3rd down back? Will Leonard Henry get healthy in time to get in the mix or will it be too late?
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