With a new coaching staff, the Miami Dolphins are looking to put the 2007 season behind them and start fresh. In order to improve on their 1-15 mark from last season, Miami must improve their offense. The offense ranked 28th overall last season. The running game in particular struggled after the loss of running back Ronnie Brown (knee). Miami averaged a putrid 84.8 rushing yards per game in the games without Brown, while they managed 115.1 yards per game in the first seven weeks with him.
The Dolphins are hoping with the return of Brown, after he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament at the season's midway point, and Ricky Williams (chest) the rushing game will pick up where it left off. Williams recorded only six carries before he was lost for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. He is reportedly close to 100 percent and ready to roll. Brown was averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and was on the verge of a breakout season, until he was sidelined for the season. To put in perspective how bad the Dolphins rushing game was, Brown still led the team in rushing with 602 yards even though he played in just seven games.
During the Dolphins recent organized team activities, Williams participated in full team drills, while Brown observed from the sidelines for much of the practice. Durability will continue to be a question mark for Miami's duo - Williams has played in only 13 games over the past four seasons, largely due to his off-the-field indiscretions, but a lack of in-game contact leaves questions surrounding his season-long sturdiness. Severe knee injuries are usually tough to come back from, especially at the running back position, but Brown plans on being ready to go full speed by the Dolphins first game. For the sake of balance, anterior cruciate ligament tears generally take 18 months before a player is back to normal.
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