Miami Dolphins have tough choice; who will start at back

[DolFan619]

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/645410.html

Miami Dolphins have tough choice; who will start at back

By ARMANDO SALGUERO
Miami Herald

JACKSONVILLE -- If there is one Dolphins position that suggests excellence, a comfortable degree of certainty and even enough depth to ease the most pessimistic coach's mind, running back is that position.

The Dolphins have Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams -- or as things went in this preseason's second game, Ricky first and Ronnie next.

It is a pretty good situation that offers not one, but two starting-caliber players. The talent-poor Dolphins have embarrassing riches at this position and actually seem set there.

There is no other spot on this team about which that sentence can be written.

And yet, there are a developing number of questions about the running back spot and Miami's star duo that coach Tony Sparano seemed eager to investigate during Saturday night's game against Jacksonville.

Who will start?

WHO IS BETTER?

Which player is better suited to contribute ''energy,'' as Sparano put it, coming off the bench?

Or does it really matter?

To understand Sparano's mind-set you need look to Dallas, where all things Dolphins seem to originate these days, to find the genesis of his questions.

In Dallas, Sparano had Julius Jones as the starter and Marion Barber as his backup. Both played and contributed, even as there was a belief among Cowboys brass that Barber was better.

But Barber nonetheless came off the bench because he seemed better suited to that role and, indeed, he seemed to enjoy coming into a game and changing the subject of whatever was happening.

Jones, meanwhile, seemed to need the starting job. Perhaps it was about ego or focus but Jones was indisputably better as a starter, even though he might not carry the ball more by the time the game was over.

Now Sparano is looking at a similar situation in Miami.

He not only wants to know which of his two running backs is better, but also which is better suited as a starter and which is to be the relief specialist.

Today, there is little question Williams is Miami's best running back. He is producing like a thoroughbred, with 74 yards on 15 carries, while Brown is plowing along at a much slower pace. He has 6 yards on five carries.

Williams also looks more explosive, more comfortable and healthier.

Brown, returning from knee surgery 10 months ago, has been troubled by occasional knee soreness, and his performance against the Jaguars was limited to two carries because of a thumb injury, the seriousness of which is not fully known.

THE BEST BET

So after spending three years in the proverbial wilderness, searching for the meaning of life and his lost football love, Williams again is Miami's best running back.

But that might not necessarily make him the starter.

Being introduced as the Dolphins' starter is a prestige Brown enjoyed the past three seasons. And there is a belief among NFL players that no one should lose his starting job because of an injury -- especially when the return from that injury is as heroic as Brown's.

Think about it. Only 10 months ago, the inside of Brown's knee needed rebuilding. Today, he doesn't even wear a brace.

So ask Brown if he would like to remain the starter and, depending on his mood, the answer ranges from a definitive ''Yes'' to a more politically correct deference to his coach's wishes.

But don't be fooled. Brown loves starting and wants to continue in that role.

And the concern here, indeed, the concern Dolphins coaches must have is whether bumping Brown from the starting role might cause the player to lose focus.

Williams? He wants to start also, but it probably wouldn't affect him mentally if he doesn't. Williams, the consummate team player and someone who has developed a fondness for Brown, is more readily suited to come off the bench.

Williams rightly doesn't view it as a commentary on his ability. He doesn't believe it diminishes him in any way.

As long as Williams gets the ball early enough and often enough in a game, he can be fine with the situation.

The proof of this came in 2005, when these two were last together.

Brown rushed for 907 yards while Williams contributed 743. Both averaged 4.4 yards an attempt and were content with how the carries where divided.

But that was when Brown got 13 starts and Williams got three.

So the Dolphins have a decision to make. If picking a starter is only based on picking the better player, then Williams should be the starter now.

But the issue isn't quite that simple. And so the Dolphins spent Saturday's game trying to figure it out.

[ethurst2]

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/645410.html

Miami Dolphins have tough choice; who will start at back

By ARMANDO SALGUERO
Miami Herald

JACKSONVILLE -- If there is one Dolphins position that suggests excellence, a comfortable degree of certainty and even enough depth to ease the most pessimistic coach's mind, running back is that position.

The Dolphins have Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams -- or as things went in this preseason's second game, Ricky first and Ronnie next.

It is a pretty good situation that offers not one, but two starting-caliber players. The talent-poor Dolphins have embarrassing riches at this position and actually seem set there.

There is no other spot on this team about which that sentence can be written.

And yet, there are a developing number of questions about the running back spot and Miami's star duo that coach Tony Sparano seemed eager to investigate during Saturday night's game against Jacksonville.

Who will start?

WHO IS BETTER?

Which player is better suited to contribute ''energy,'' as Sparano put it, coming off the bench?

Or does it really matter?

To understand Sparano's mind-set you need look to Dallas, where all things Dolphins seem to originate these days, to find the genesis of his questions.

In Dallas, Sparano had Julius Jones as the starter and Marion Barber as his backup. Both played and contributed, even as there was a belief among Cowboys brass that Barber was better.

But Barber nonetheless came off the bench because he seemed better suited to that role and, indeed, he seemed to enjoy coming into a game and changing the subject of whatever was happening.

Jones, meanwhile, seemed to need the starting job. Perhaps it was about ego or focus but Jones was indisputably better as a starter, even though he might not carry the ball more by the time the game was over.

Now Sparano is looking at a similar situation in Miami.

He not only wants to know which of his two running backs is better, but also which is better suited as a starter and which is to be the relief specialist.

Today, there is little question Williams is Miami's best running back. He is producing like a thoroughbred, with 74 yards on 15 carries, while Brown is plowing along at a much slower pace. He has 6 yards on five carries.

Williams also looks more explosive, more comfortable and healthier.

Brown, returning from knee surgery 10 months ago, has been troubled by occasional knee soreness, and his performance against the Jaguars was limited to two carries because of a thumb injury, the seriousness of which is not fully known.

THE BEST BET

So after spending three years in the proverbial wilderness, searching for the meaning of life and his lost football love, Williams again is Miami's best running back.

But that might not necessarily make him the starter.

Being introduced as the Dolphins' starter is a prestige Brown enjoyed the past three seasons. And there is a belief among NFL players that no one should lose his starting job because of an injury -- especially when the return from that injury is as heroic as Brown's.

Think about it. Only 10 months ago, the inside of Brown's knee needed rebuilding. Today, he doesn't even wear a brace.

So ask Brown if he would like to remain the starter and, depending on his mood, the answer ranges from a definitive ''Yes'' to a more politically correct deference to his coach's wishes.

But don't be fooled. Brown loves starting and wants to continue in that role.

And the concern here, indeed, the concern Dolphins coaches must have is whether bumping Brown from the starting role might cause the player to lose focus.

Williams? He wants to start also, but it probably wouldn't affect him mentally if he doesn't. Williams, the consummate team player and someone who has developed a fondness for Brown, is more readily suited to come off the bench.

Williams rightly doesn't view it as a commentary on his ability. He doesn't believe it diminishes him in any way.

As long as Williams gets the ball early enough and often enough in a game, he can be fine with the situation.

The proof of this came in 2005, when these two were last together.

Brown rushed for 907 yards while Williams contributed 743. Both averaged 4.4 yards an attempt and were content with how the carries where divided.

But that was when Brown got 13 starts and Williams got three.

So the Dolphins have a decision to make. If picking a starter is only based on picking the better player, then Williams should be the starter now.

But the issue isn't quite that simple. And so the Dolphins spent Saturday's game trying to figure it out.

I hate to rag on people but this is really a dumb article.

Ricky will start this year. Hands down. Ronnie B. isn't back from his ACL injury and now has a thumb injury to boot.

Ricky has been excellent in practice. He always has been great.

Don't be surprised if Ronnie Brown is traded next year. The Dolphins will look for a running back either in the 1st or 2nd round.

[phinphan]

Ricky has earned it but I like knowing Ronnie is in the back field.

[stinkfish]

Ricky should definitely start. He's got fresh legs, is still a beast, and Brown may not  be 100% yet. They have to protect Brown because he is the RB of the future.