Miami Dolphins: What the Offense Needs to Show vs. Carolina

Sure, the Miami Dolphins technically won their opening preseason game against Atlanta last week. However, the first team, both offensively and defensively, got worked by the Falcons.Let's focus on the offense and what they need to do to improve or show any signs of life in the second game of the preseason against Carolina.

Reggie Bush will make his Dolphins debut, and Brandon Marshall will also suit up for the first time this season. The starters are expected to play into the second quarter, according to coach Tony Sparano, but there are two things that will likely prevent us from getting a good gauge on the offense this Friday night:

1) The playcalling will be limited, and none of the feature backs, Bush or Daniel Thomas, should get much work.

2) This Carolina team is not very good and is doing whatever possible to groom Cam Newton. They may not be particularly focused on actually winning a football game.

Anyways, here's what fans and coaches alike should want to see Friday at Sun Life Stadium.   

What Can the Running Backs Provide?

This question will be very difficult to answer based on a preseason game, but Reggie Bush certainly adds an element to the Dolphins offense that has been lacking in previous seasons.

If the Wildcat is part of Bush and Daniel Thomas' role with the team, don't expect to see it in this game. If Bush will be used as a punt returner, don't expect to see it in this game. And if he is going to run some deep patterns out of the slot, don't expect to see it in this game. 

Having said that, we can judge Bush's effectiveness running between the tackles and his cohesion with Chad Henne (and maybe Matt Moore as well). If he proves to be a better option running behind a patchwork offensive line than Thomas, then maybe we will go into the all important third preseason game with a full fledged starting battle.  

Brandon Marshall Needs to Be Chad Henne's Biggest Target

The Miami Dolphins traded for Brandon Marshall last offseason expecting to get a massive target and a red zone threat for years to come. Its gotten to that time where Marshall either shows up or he may be shown the door very soon. I believe "showing up" starts in a simple preseason game. 

Marshall and the quarterbacks need to be on the same page, as they have failed to be many times in training camp. When Monday Night Football in Week 1 rolls around, it may be too late to find that groove. It starts in a meaningless preseason game against a Carolina secondary that Marshall should be able to pick apart. 

There needs to be a sign of stronger work ethic and more determination from Marshall, who only scored three touchdowns last season. Give a struggling quarterback his ultimate best friend: a massive 6'4" inch target that can leap in the end zone to score when the ball is put up there. 

The Offensive Line Is Solid

Despite the numbers and the maneuvering of positions, this is a Dolphins line that has talent. Jake Long obviously needs to rest up and be ready to play Week 1 against New England, but the line needs to show they can push some people around. They will be especially important this season when considering the Dolphins running backs who will touch the ball most are a rookie and a guy who is typically known to run outside the tackles.

Can Vernon Carey adjust to his move back inside to guard? Can Rookie first round pick Mike Pouncey snap when the Dolphins line up in shotgun? Can Marc Colombo regain his form of several years ago? These are just a few of the questions the Dolphins need to answer, and we may see enough of the first team on the field to provide some answers.  

Is There a Quarterback Controversy?

The consensus seems to be that Chad Henne will be the starter when the regular season comes around. Matt Moore would have to outplay Henne dramatically to even be considered for the opening night start. After the first game against Atlanta, that no longer seems like such a long shot.

Am I bailing on Chad Henne? Not at all. Against the Falcons, he threw a nice long ball to Brian Hartline for a touchdown, but he did make a boneheaded throw that was picked off, and Moore threw two scores and led the offense down the field the majority of the time he was out there.

With the quarterbacks expected to combine to play most of the game Friday, expect to have a clearer picture of whether there is a controversy or not.   

The Rookies Must Continue to Progress

No, that picture doesn't really show how fast rookie Clyde Gates was running in the Atlanta game last week. But it does imply he is fast, which would be an understatement. Gates made a very nice catch on a touchdown thrown by Matt Moore last week, and will most certainly see the field a great deal again this week.

Center Mike Pouncey has had some snapping issues, which need to be addressed in game action. Charles Clay has been very good in practice by all accounts, and may give Lou Polite a run for his money at fullback. Jared Odrick and A.J Edds (whom I consider rookies since they did not play last season) both played well last week, and need to be consistent factors in order to see big minutes when the regular season begins.

And, as referred to earlier, running back Daniel Thomas needs to display his hands and between the tackle's running ability that prompted the Dolphins to trade into the second round of the draft to select him.