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Sun Sentinel: Miami Dolphins' offensive lines aren't exciting but crucial

Michael Cunningham

March 28, 2009

The recent news that Chad Henne is expected to start at quarterback for the Dolphins in 2010 instead of Chad Pennington caused a bit of a stir.

After all, it's shocking to hear that a young quarterback (possibly?) tabbed as the future may supplant the old quarterback whose contract is set to expire in '10.

Seriously, though, it's not hard to understand the buzz. It's quarterbacks and it's South Florida. That's all it takes.

But I guess I'm boring. While most obsess over the glamour guys behind center, I'm scrutinizing the grunts up front, and you have to like what the Dolphins are doing with the offensive line.

Talking about the big-money deals for tackle Vernon Carey and center Jake Grove may not be as fun as handicapping the quarterbacks. But those moves are as vital to the team's success and show the Dolphins have the right approach under Bill Parcells.

Give me a team with a good offensive line and so-so skill players over one with good skill players and a suspect line. If you disagree, just look at how Parcells' predecessors got it so wrong where Parcells is getting it right.

Look at the 2008 Dolphins and compare them to those from 2002 (the start of their decline) until 2007 (the bottom). I'd argue all of those teams were more talented at wide receiver and tight end and at least as talented at running back (with one exception).

(Yes, I'm leaving out quarterback, but stick with me a minute.)

Yet, weak offensive lines were a big reason those '02-'07 teams didn't win as much as the 2008 Dolphins. For too long, the Dolphins skimped on the line while fans slobbered over glitzy names at quarterback and wide receiver who had no chance to succeed because of the leaky line.

Chris Chambers was a better talent than any wide receiver the Dolphins sent out in '08, and the same goes for Wes Welker. Heck, even Marty Booker's Dolphins numbers would rate among the team's best '08 receivers.

Tight end Randy McMichael might have underachieved with the Dolphins, but don't let one surprise year by Anthony Fasano make you forget McMichael's production. And the only season from '02 to '07 when the Dolphins were clearly worse off at running back than in '08 was the year Ricky Williams flaked out on Dave Wannstedt.

The '03 Dolphins were the best example of how a weak line can cost a team that's otherwise good enough. OK, so Brian Griese was the savior at quarterback that year, but I'll go to my grave saying he would have succeeded behind a good line.

The '08 Dolphins showed a great quarterback isn't necessary to win. Just put a smart and accurate passer who protects the ball behind a good line with a power running game, add a ball-hawking defense and it can work. The Dolphins now have a young, talented and powerful line with long-term contracts that show the team's serious commitment to the unit.

Justin Smiley got $9 million guaranteed last offseason. After that, the Dolphins targeted Jake Long as their guy, and instead of being wishy-washy like the Lions are now with the No. 1 pick, they signed him to $30 million guaranteed before the draft.

This winter, the Dolphins re-signed tackle Carey to $15 million guaranteed, got Grove with $14 million and signed Joe Berger for peace of mind in case Smiley and Donald Thomas remain gimpy.

Maybe the Dolphins overpaid for Carey and Grove, but that's what you must do in free agency to fill vital needs. The Parcells/Stephen Ross Dolphins understand a good offensive line fits that bill, so they put up the cash.

That may not be as exciting as debating exactly when Henne should take over for the most efficient passer the Dolphins have had in years, but it's at least as important to the team's present and future.

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Bill Parcells clearly understands that you build a successful football program from the trenches out.

Left to his own devices, Parcells would have most likely created in Dallas the last thing that I would want to see; a well designed, well built, winning organization.

To that I say: Thank you, Jerry Jones.

Parcells is now showing the fans in South Florida just how it's done. From 1-15 to a division championship and the playoffs.

In one season. 

Now, I respect Bill Parcells for his acumen, his stubbornness, and his firm belief that his way is the right way. I don't much care for his arrogance and his methods of interpersonal communication, but I'd be willing to overlook those things if I owned a team.

Compare what he is doing personnel wise in Miami to the way the Washington Redskins do it.

The football currency spent on receivers alone highlights the very vast differences in philosophies. (Antwan Randle-El, Brandon Lloyd (at the cost of a 3rd & a 4th round pick), and three second round draft picks in the 2008 draft.)

Hopefully the signings of Haynesworth and Dockery have signaled a change in course. Hopefully, it's not too little, too late