Strategy and personnel
Quarterback: Starter  Trent Green. Backups  Cleo Lemon, John Beck.
Green is Miami's latest attempt to stop the revolving door at quarterback that has spun since 2004. Green was one of the AFC's top quarterbacks in Kansas City between 2001 and 2005, but there are questions of how effective he will be with the Dolphins. Green wasn't the same caliber quarterback after returning from a serious concussion suffered in the 2006 season-opener. Plus, the 37-year-old Green doesn't have the same type of quality running game and offensive line that he enjoyed with the Chiefs. Lemon is a short-term answer as Miami's backup until Beck is ready to push Green for playing time. Ideally for the Dolphins, Beck will be pushing Green for a starting spot in 2008.
Running backs: Starters  RB Ronnie Brown, FB Cory Schlesinger. Backups  RB Lorenzo Booker, RB Jesse Chatman, FB Reagan Mauia.
Brown showed improvement in his second NFL season, completing his first 1,000-yard rushing campaign in 2006. The big question now is whether Brown can develop into the same kind of marquee tailback that LaDainian Tomlinson did while playing under Cam Cameron in San Diego the past five seasons. The Dolphins could have problems if Brown is forced to miss playing time because of injury for a third consecutive season. Booker, a third-round draft pick, will add some much-needed speed to the backfield but may not be best suited to handle an every-down role. Booker already is projected as Miami's third-down back, with Chatman hoping to salvage his NFL career after spending last season out of football. Schlesinger is considered a better blocking fullback than Darian Barnes, who was allowed to leave via free agency to the New York Jets. The 272-pound Mauia could play a role in short-yardage situations.
