Perfect72
It's Only Happened ONCE!
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...nowshon-moreno-20140915,0,2003416,print.story
Sun Sentinel
Dolphins not equipped for life without Knowshon Moreno
His absence puts more pressure on QB Ryan Tannehill and the OL
By Chris Perkins
8:43 AM EDT, September 15, 2014
advertisement
The Dolphins’ offense was already without Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey, arguably its most productive player. Now they’ll try to live life without Knowshon Moreno, undoubtedly their most product running back.
Most likely, this won’t be good.
The immediate effect will be two-fold: it’ll shift even more responsibility on the frighteningly inaccurate arm of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and it’ll test the offensive line because the Dolphins will be in more second- and third-and-long situations, making the pass predictable and making the all-out pass rush almost inevitable.
Moreno, who will be sidelined for weeks, was signed to boost a lackluster ground game, and he did that in his only regular season appearance, rushing for 134 yards and a touchdown against New England. But when Moreno went down Sunday in the first quarter against Buffalo with a dislocated left elbow, it was big trouble.
The running game might belong to Lamar Miller who, although improved from a year ago, still doesn’t break tackles or make would-be tacklers miss. And he’s still not a guy who can carry the ball 15 to 17 times a game. He’s a No. 2 running back who once again will be thrust into the No. 1 role.
Worse, he has a right ankle injury and left Sunday's game in a walking boot. His status for this week's game against Kansas City isn't yet known.
The running game could belong to rookies Damien Williams and Orleans Darkwa, a pair of undrafted rookies who both run hard, but they're rookies.
The Dolphins and Bills said the Dolphins’ gameplan and play-calling didn’t change when Moreno left Sunday’s game.
That might be true.
But it should also be noted that without Moreno, Tannehill had career highs in completions (31) and passing attempts (49).
Ordinarily that would be a good thing. But it wasn’t Sunday. Right now it doesn’t appear the Dolphins are equipped to deal with Moreno’s loss.
Lazor offense
Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, the man who seeks to spread the field and create one-on-one matchups, called another solid game Sunday even though the results were incredibly poor.
Lazor’s scheme is solid. The Dolphins, however, might not have the talent to make the scheme run at peak efficiency, which is something that surfaced during training camp.
On Sunday there were inaccurate passes by Tannehill, a couple of drops (tight end Charles Clay had one, Miller had another), four sacks, a 5-for-16 (31 percent) showing on third downs, a sluggish running game, and just two trips into the red zone.
Play-calling wasn’t the issue; play-making was the issue.
Sun Sentinel
Dolphins not equipped for life without Knowshon Moreno
His absence puts more pressure on QB Ryan Tannehill and the OL
By Chris Perkins
8:43 AM EDT, September 15, 2014
advertisement
The Dolphins’ offense was already without Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey, arguably its most productive player. Now they’ll try to live life without Knowshon Moreno, undoubtedly their most product running back.
Most likely, this won’t be good.
The immediate effect will be two-fold: it’ll shift even more responsibility on the frighteningly inaccurate arm of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and it’ll test the offensive line because the Dolphins will be in more second- and third-and-long situations, making the pass predictable and making the all-out pass rush almost inevitable.
Moreno, who will be sidelined for weeks, was signed to boost a lackluster ground game, and he did that in his only regular season appearance, rushing for 134 yards and a touchdown against New England. But when Moreno went down Sunday in the first quarter against Buffalo with a dislocated left elbow, it was big trouble.
The running game might belong to Lamar Miller who, although improved from a year ago, still doesn’t break tackles or make would-be tacklers miss. And he’s still not a guy who can carry the ball 15 to 17 times a game. He’s a No. 2 running back who once again will be thrust into the No. 1 role.
Worse, he has a right ankle injury and left Sunday's game in a walking boot. His status for this week's game against Kansas City isn't yet known.
The running game could belong to rookies Damien Williams and Orleans Darkwa, a pair of undrafted rookies who both run hard, but they're rookies.
The Dolphins and Bills said the Dolphins’ gameplan and play-calling didn’t change when Moreno left Sunday’s game.
That might be true.
But it should also be noted that without Moreno, Tannehill had career highs in completions (31) and passing attempts (49).
Ordinarily that would be a good thing. But it wasn’t Sunday. Right now it doesn’t appear the Dolphins are equipped to deal with Moreno’s loss.
Lazor offense
Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, the man who seeks to spread the field and create one-on-one matchups, called another solid game Sunday even though the results were incredibly poor.
Lazor’s scheme is solid. The Dolphins, however, might not have the talent to make the scheme run at peak efficiency, which is something that surfaced during training camp.
On Sunday there were inaccurate passes by Tannehill, a couple of drops (tight end Charles Clay had one, Miller had another), four sacks, a 5-for-16 (31 percent) showing on third downs, a sluggish running game, and just two trips into the red zone.
Play-calling wasn’t the issue; play-making was the issue.
