Lorenzo Booker: The Best Hope for Tony Sparano's Offensive System

During his most recent gathering with the local media, Miami head coach Tony Sparano made two statements that, when tied together, should be an encouraging sign for at least one Dolphin.

In regards to what type of system the team will run with a completely new coaching staff led by a rookie head man, Sparano said that the system would have to fit the players they have.

When asked more specifically about the offensive plan that could be put in place by him and new offensive coordinator Dan Henning, Sparano replied, "Right now we really don't have an idea one way or the other."

It would appear then that all options are open for 2008, and the coaching staff will perhaps design game plans built around the hand they've been dealt and eschew a particular philosophy.

This should be good news for Lorenzo Booker, and getting him more involved in the Dolphins' offense should return good news for Miami.

The story of the 5-foot-10, 191-pound Booker's rookie season is just one of many in a delirious 2007 for the Dolphins. Fans cast a leery eye upon his selection in the draft, having watched him at Florida State and gaining the inevitable comparisons to so-so former Dolphin runner Travis Minor. Skepticism among the faithful grew when Booker didn't see a single snap for 11 games as the losses and running back injuries mounted. If he can't get in the game now, many wondered, when would he?

Once entered into the offense, however, Booker provided a spark that not only was desperately needed by Miami at the time but one that hasn't been seen in the Dolphins' backfield in recent memory. No longer able to consistently pound the ball with a Ronnie Brown-Ricky Williams-Lamar Smith-type back, the Dolphins utilized Booker as a third-down runner and receiver out of the backfield, and the results were encouraging. In Miami's win over Baltimore, Booker averaged 10 yards per catch, and he provided four first downs, including one on a key fourth-and-1 attempt that led to the Dolphins' first touchdown of the afternoon. At New England one week later, Booker turned eight carries into 56 yards, a 7.0-yard average.

Booker ended the season with a 4.5 yards per carry average, and if you project Booker's five game totals over a full season, he would've gained 568 yards receiving. Take note, Bill Parcells -- among runners comparable to Booker's size and abilities, do you know who had a similar rookie season? A guy you coached and won a Super Bowl with, Dave Meggett (4.2 yards per rush, 531 yards receiving). Warrick Dunn (4.4 YPC, 462 yards receiving) did as well. Brian Westbrook didn't have that many yards receiving until his third year, and three-time Pro Bowler Eric Metcalf didn't until his fourth.

Booker's overall skills as a rusher were seen as respectable if not overwhelming, but it's also worth noting that he had to face defenses stacked against the run because of the total lack of respect for Miami's passing game.

Want proof that defenses didn't fear Miami's aerial attack? Go take another look at Greg Camarillo's game-ending touchdown catch against the Ravens. Whoever can locate where the safeties were to help the corners on that play should be recruited to help find Osama bin Laden. However, if the Dolphins' offense can develop some consistent production -- particularly down the field -- defenses will have to back off the line of scrimmage a little to compensate. Booker's speed and elusiveness suggest he doesn't need a whole lot of room to make something big happen either.

With the track record of the brain trust currently in power, no one expects Miami to forsake a power running attack. The most dangerous offense, however, is a diversified one. If Sparano is serious about letting the talent dictate the system, then getting the ball in Booker's hands 15 to 20 times per game through third-down carries, screens and draw plays should be a priority in 2008.