In 2014, the Miami Dolphins finished 11th in the NFL in points per game with an average 24.2. Despite having a better than average offense last season, head coach Joe Philbin believes the offense can be even better this season.
“I would love to score 500 points, said Philbin. “I think that’s one barometer of scoring – I did a playoff averages study and I think it’s right about that, 24-25 points a game, if you add that up, that’s about a playoff average offensive output.”
Last year, Miami finished the season with a total of 388 points. The Philadelphia Eagles led the league in points scored with 474. Even in an offensive league like today’s NFL, it will be hard for the Dolphins to score 500 points in 2015.
The Dolphins offense should be better with the additions made at the receiver and tight end positions. The team acquired Greg Jennings, Kenny Stills, Jordan Cameron and drafted former Louisville Cardinals standout DeVante Parker. These additions should help quarterback Ryan Tannehill have his best season to date.
For all of his critics, Tannehill has progressively improved during his first three seasons in the league. He has gone from 12 touchdown passes in his rookie year to 24 in his second season, to 27 in 2014.
In his second season in offensive coordinator Bill Lazor’s system, Tannehill feels comfortable in the offense.
“Last year at this time, I was learning the offense still, getting comfortable with the route combinations and the reads, said Tannehill. “Going into our second year in the offense, I feel a lot more comfortable, making quicker decisions, knowing exactly where to put the ball versus certain looks in these newer routes, that were new last year. Our receivers are making plays, that’s a big part of it as well. When you have receivers out there that are adjusting with the tough catches in traffic, it definitely increases your completion percentage.”
The biggest determinator of how good the offense could be is how the offensive line performs. Branden Albert is still noticeably limping and his status for Week 1 at the Washington Redskins is an important question mark.
If Albert is out for the first few games of the season, that will force backup offensive lineman Jason Fox to start at left tackle. Fox has struggled during training camp in Albert’s absence, so Tannehill and the other players know how important it is to get Albert back.
“Obviously, we would love to have Branden back, said Tannehill. “We know what kind of player he is, what he brought to us last year.”
Is 500 points likely for the Dolphins this season, probably not. But with all the additions the team has made and the comfort level in Lazor’s offense in year two, Miami should finished be a top 10 offense in the league.
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