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#1 Running Back
Elite running backs like Ricky Williams rule the fantasy world and
we all know good backs are hard to find. Williams carried the ball
392 times and rushed for 1,373 and nine touchdowns. Who will be the
starting back in Miami? As of right now the Dolphins have elevated
Travis Minor as the number one running back on the team’s depth
chart. Minor is a speedster who did average 4.7 yards per carry
which is better then Williams 3.5 yards per carry average. However,
Minor only carried the ball 41 times for 193 yards and one touchdown
in 2003. Minor is entering his 4th season and he has never started
an NFL game. In fact, he has carried the ball 144 times in his brief
career. There is no way Minor will have the number of attempts that
Williams had last season. Minor is a small back at 5-9 205 pounds so
do not expect him to fill Ricky Williams shoes but do get him on
your draft board.
Offensive System
The Dolphins offense was based around Ricky Williams and the running
game, but now that he’s gone the Dolphins will have to live and die
with their passing game. This makes David Boston, Chris Chambers and
Randy McMichael a little more valuable this upcoming season. The
jury is still out on whether Jay Fiedler or newly acquired A.J.
Feeley will be the starting quarterback. Whoever it is will be
throwing the football a lot more in 2004. The Dolphins will pass the
ball so much it will appear that Dan Marino is back at the helm.
Well, maybe not Marino but you get the picture.
Defense |
Another Point of
View
- CrunchTime -
Even with a banging
runner like Ricky Williams the Dolphins have been unable to
establish a passing game. Their quarterback situation has been
horrid and looks no better than it did last season. With Ricky gone
they turn to Travis Minor and defenses smile. The biggest decision
on opposing secondaries’ minds will be whether to disrupt the pass
with a ruthless, all-out pass rush or a smothering, coverage
scheme.
The result of this huge shift will be enormous. My predictions:
• Minor will have mediocre, but not awful numbers simply due to the
lack of attention he will draw.
• Chambers will still be worthwhile but
he will be unlikely to crack
the upper echelon of receivers with the extra attention he will
receive.
• Increased touches + heavy coverage will equal another visit to the
IR for Boston.
• McMichael will be the only player to truly benefit from this. With
collapsing protection and covered receivers he will be seeing lots
of frantic looks from whomever is unlucky enough to end up behind
center. |
