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Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman seems to have an aversion to running the ball in the second half of games. It doesn't matter if the team has a lead or is behind, they are going to come out throwing, and they are going to keep throwing. It's frustrated the fans and is something discussed over and over, week after week.
Now, it appears, the Dolphins players are seeing the same thing.
According to a report from NFL Network's Jeff Darlington yesterday on Around the League, the Dolphins players "are starting to wonder about the offensive game plan."
Darlington clarified a little. "Let me not overstate this: The locker room is still together. There's still a good vibe in there. I talked to several players today and they still feel like they can get this season back on track.
"However, there is some question of what offensive coordinator Mike Sherman is starting to do and it really started to come to a head after Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Patriots."
Miami ran for 103 yards on 22 carries in the first half against New England, jumping to a 17-3 lead at the break. In the second half, the team only carried the ball nine times, gaining 53 yards. In a game where they averaged 5.0 yards per carry, turning yourself into a one-dimensional offense was the wrong decision.
In the first half, the Miami offensive line did not give up a sack. In the second half, with no threat of a running attack, New England was able to simply get after Ryan Tannehill, bringing him down six times in the half. Again, giving up on the run and turning the team into a one-dimensional offense was the wrong decision.
It's good to hear from Darlington, who served as a Dolphins beat writer before joining the NFL Network, that the locker room is still together, that they aren't to the point in their questioning a coach's decision that things are going to go downhill in a hurry. But, it's also good to hear that they are raising their concerns, because it is a justified concern.
If there was ever a need for the "Leadership Council" to raise an issue to the coaches, this is that moment. Hopefully it brings about some sort of change.
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