Kelly: Dolphins don’t seem to care and stay soft in the trenches | Opinion

The Miami Dolphins have been a team of promise and frustration for decades. With a history that includes memorable playoff runs and heartbreaking seasons, they’ve become a team that always seems to be just one step away from contention. But there’s one glaring issue that continues to undermine their success year after year — the trenches. Despite investing resources, talent, and hope in their skill positions, the Dolphins have repeatedly neglected the importance of the offensive and defensive lines, areas that are foundational to building a winning football team.

This is a story of opportunity missed. The Dolphins seem to care about everything else — flashy wide receivers, fast quarterbacks, exciting playmakers — but the reality is, they’ve failed to address their most glaring weaknesses. In the NFL, teams with dominant lines, both on offense and defense, consistently perform at a higher level. The Dolphins, however, continue to stay soft where it matters most. The result is a team that’s stuck in mediocrity, perpetually struggling to establish themselves as true contenders in an increasingly competitive league.

The Importance of the Trenches

The offensive and defensive lines, often referred to as the “trenches,” are the heart and soul of any successful NFL team. Without a strong foundation in the trenches, teams simply can’t compete at the highest levels. A dominant offensive line ensures the quarterback has time to read defenses and deliver the ball, while also opening lanes for running backs to gain yards. Conversely, a strong defensive line can wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks, disrupt the flow of the offense, and stop the run game in its tracks.

When a team lacks strength in the trenches, it’s not just a minor issue; it’s a major problem. A porous offensive line leads to constant pressure on the quarterback, creating sacks and hurried throws that diminish the effectiveness of the passing game. Meanwhile, a weak defensive line means that opposing quarterbacks have time to find open receivers, and running backs can churn out easy yards. The game is won in the trenches, and the Dolphins have failed to grasp this simple truth.

Offensive Line Woes

The Dolphins’ offensive line has been a point of contention for years. While they’ve made attempts to address it — through high draft picks, free-agent signings, and coaching changes — the results have largely been underwhelming. The front five has struggled with consistency, both in protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes. Perhaps the most glaring issue has been their inability to protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has endured repeated hits and sacks due to an inadequate offensive line.

Tua’s development has been hindered by a lack of protection. A young quarterback needs time to grow into the role, but when he’s constantly under pressure, it’s difficult to assess his potential. Tua has shown flashes of brilliance, but injuries have derailed his career thus far. The offensive line, however, has often failed to keep him clean, and that has had disastrous consequences. While it’s true that Tua’s injury history cannot solely be blamed on his line, it’s clear that the lack of protection only amplifies the risk for any quarterback.

But it’s not just the quarterback who suffers from a weak offensive line. The Dolphins have struggled to establish a consistent running game for years. Without an effective offensive line to open holes, their running backs are often forced to make plays behind the line of scrimmage or simply get swallowed up by defenders. The team has tried different running back combinations and schemes, but nothing seems to work with a line that can’t execute at a high level.

The Dolphins have made efforts to fix this problem — drafting offensive linemen like Austin Jackson, Liam Eichenberg, and selecting veterans in free agency. Yet, year after year, the same issues persist. In 2022, the team traded for left tackle Terron Armstead, hoping he would anchor the line, but even he hasn’t been able to make a significant difference on his own. The failure to adequately bolster the line has been an ongoing issue that has limited the Dolphins’ potential for success.

Defensive Line Deficiencies

Just as the Dolphins’ offense has been hindered by a lack of quality line play, their defense has also suffered. A lack of consistent pressure from the defensive line has meant opposing quarterbacks often have ample time to throw the ball, and running backs find success in the trenches. While Miami has had some bright spots along the defensive line, including players like Christian Wilkins, the unit as a whole has underperformed in critical moments.

The lack of a dominant pass rusher is especially troubling. In today’s NFL, the ability to pressure the quarterback is paramount. A team that can generate consistent pressure without blitzing gives its secondary a significant advantage. The Dolphins, however, have struggled to put together a consistent pass rush, especially in key moments of games. Their inability to generate pressure means they are often forced to rely on their secondary to defend for too long, which leads to breakdowns in coverage and big plays for the opposition.

Moreover, the defensive line has not been able to shut down opposing running games. The inability to control the line of scrimmage allows teams to gain yards on the ground, which opens up play-action passing and keeps the Dolphins’ defense on its heels. While Miami has made some efforts to address this, including drafting Wilkins and adding free-agent talent, the results have been inconsistent at best.

Coaching and Management: A Lack of Focus on the Trenches

One of the most puzzling aspects of the Dolphins’ struggle in the trenches is their lack of focus on improving the lines through coaching and management. While the team has made moves to address the offensive line, it hasn’t been nearly aggressive enough. The Dolphins have spent resources on skill position players, but when it comes to the core of the team, they’ve fallen short.

In recent years, Miami has drafted high-profile skill players such as Tua, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and running back Raheem Mostert. These players have added excitement and playmaking ability to the offense, but none of that matters if the team can’t protect the quarterback or establish the run. A flashier offense will only get you so far if you can’t control the line of scrimmage.

The Dolphins’ front office has been active in trying to build a competitive team, but it’s clear that they’ve overlooked the importance of bolstering the lines. The front office seems to view the offensive and defensive lines as an afterthought, focusing instead on skill players who can provide instant gratification. But as history has shown, teams that prioritize the trenches are the ones that consistently find success in the NFL.

The Lack of Urgency

Another critical issue is the Dolphins’ lack of urgency in addressing their line issues. While the team has made moves, there’s been no sense of a concerted effort to build an elite line. Top NFL teams don’t hesitate to make big moves in the trenches, whether it’s through high draft picks, aggressive trades, or signing top free agents. The Dolphins, on the other hand, seem content to tinker around the edges without making a real commitment.

Compare this approach to teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, or the Philadelphia Eagles — all of which have invested heavily in their offensive and defensive lines. These teams understand that the trench battle is paramount to success, and they make it a priority. Miami’s reluctance to go all-in on their lines reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of how to build a championship team in the modern NFL.

This lack of urgency is detrimental to the team’s future. As long as the Dolphins remain soft in the trenches, they will continue to be a middle-of-the-pack team, never truly contending for a championship. It’s clear that the status quo is not working, and the Dolphins must make a concerted effort to change their approach to the line positions.

Future Outlook: A Potential Turning Point?

The question now is whether the Dolphins can turn things around. While the front office has made some moves to improve the offensive and defensive lines, the jury is still out. The team has the pieces in place to be competitive, but without a dramatic shift in focus toward the trenches, they’ll continue to struggle.

The upcoming NFL Draft will be an opportunity for the Dolphins to make significant strides in the right direction. They have the chance to invest high draft picks in the offensive and defensive lines, and it’s crucial they do so. If the Dolphins are serious about competing in the future, they must prioritize building from the inside out, focusing on establishing a strong, dominant line on both sides of the ball.

The Miami Dolphins have the potential to be a successful team, but they are being held back by their failure to address the most fundamental aspect of the game: the trenches. Until they recognize the importance of building strong, effective lines, they will continue to struggle, no matter how many skill players they acquire. It’s time for the Dolphins to wake up and put the same level of focus into their offensive and defensive lines as they do with their flashy playmakers. Until they do, they will remain soft in the trenches and perpetually stuck in mediocrity.