While the Miami Dolphins found paydirt on over 55 percent of their red-zone trips last year, which was good enough for 11th in the NFL, their offense totaled the fifth-fewest points in the scoring area.
Certainly, they want more trips inside the 20-yard-line, having averaged just 2.4 a game last season. But they also could stand be more efficient.
Coach Joe Philbin told the media Thursday that three of the team's first nine practices were "really red zone intensive."
". . .basically what we do is getting everything in and then we are going to have to pick and choice what we like. We can’t do it all," he said. "We’ve got a lot of volume in right now. We could never execute these plays crisply in a game.
"So we kind of have to narrow the focus down, what can our players be great at, and what is the quarterback like, what are the receivers like, what can we feel good about protection wise, conceptually. It’s a long ways to go.”
The additions of pass-catching tight end Dustin Keller and expensive wide receiver Mike Wallace should help Miami trade field goals for touchdowns, but it will fall on quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the offensive line to execute.
Only four teams reached the red zone fewer times than the Dolphins in 2012. The New England Patriots led the league in trips with 4.4 a game. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans were tied for last at 2.2.
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The additions of pass-catching tight end Dustin Keller and expensive wide receiver Mike Wallace should help Miami trade field goals for touchdowns, but it will fall on quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the offensive line to execute.
Only four teams reached the red zone fewer times than the Dolphins in 2012. The New England Patriots led the league in trips with 4.4 a game. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans were tied for last at 2.2.
Follow Nick @NickStDenis
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
