Omar Kelly: Dolphins need to start fixing some of this team's problems

MIAMI — This Miami Dolphins team isn’t good, but if we’re being hand-to-the-Bible honest, nobody expected them to be.

The team general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is building has talent, but an ultra-thin roster.

They have a few impact players, talents such as Zach Sieler, Aaron Brewer and Jordyn Brooks, but most of the roster lacks composure and discipline.

They have a little bit of experience, but not nearly enough to overcome the adversity that typically arises in the game’s critical moments.

While this 1-7 start isn’t surprising, the expectation should be that improvements will be incrementally made game by game. And while we’re seeing more competitive games, some of the issues that plague Jeff Hafley’s team need to be addressed.

Maybe not fixed, but improvement on. Progress needs to be made as a proof of life.

Here’s a look at 10 things the Dolphins players and coaches need to address to give themselves a better chance on Sundays:

Gordon has been figured out

Ollie Gordon II, the Dolphins’ second-year tailback who has been elevated into a starting role the past month, will fall just short of 1,000 rushing yards if he remains on his current pace, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. The Dolphins are facing a ton of seven-man fronts the past month as teams are gearing up to stop Miami’s rushing attack, which has evolved into a power game because it suits Gordon’s skill set the best. Unlike De’Von Achane, Gordon’s strength isn’t running the outside zone, so teams aren’t worried about the edge runs as they used to be.

O-line needs to clean up its performance

The Dolphins had three holding calls and one false start in Sunday’s 19-9 loss to the Detroit Lions, and while it’s irresponsible to ask that unit to be perfect for every game, they happen to be the best unit on this team. So when it struggles, the team will likely struggle. Miami needs to demand better play from the three veterans — Patrick Paul, Aaron Brewer and Austin Jackson — on the unit.

Rookie receivers must master assignments

Having three rookies playing receiver seems to be a flex, but it does come with drawbacks. Half the time Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr. aren’t lining up properly, or mess up the motion. Are they making the right route adjustments, running the routes at the right depths? Do they stick to the broken play rules for scramble drill situations? There’s a lot more to what goes into playing the position than catching the football, and very few of Miami’s receivers are helping the Malik Willis out. That has to change.

Opposing QB carving up Dolphins

Opposing quarterbacks have been carving the Dolphins up on a weekly basis since the season opener. The 114.0 passing rating opposing quarterbacks have ranks the Dolphins last in the NFL, and Miami’s allowing 76% of the passes thrown against their defense to be completed, which also ranks the Dolphins last. And so does Miami’s 8.1 yards per pass attempt average.

Miami struggles to defend tight ends

Detroit’s Sam LaPorta, who caught four passes for 32 yards on Sunday, was the only starting tight end who didn’t have an impressive, if not breakout game against the Dolphins this season. His production was minimal, which wasn’t the case for many of Miami’s previous eight opponents. The hope is that Kyle Louis’ recent inclusion as Miami’s big nickel will help the Dolphins do a better job covering that position.

Defense must improve on third downs

Miami’s opponents are converting 47.4% of third-down possessions, and 10-of-11 fourth down opportunities have been converted, extending drives that often lead to points scored. The Dolphins are ranked 29th in the NFL in third-down conversion rate, which puts Miami ahead of only Cincinnati, Carolina and Dallas. And not by much. The NFL’s best defenses all limit opponents to fewer than 36% on third down conversions.

Defense needs better blitzers

The Dolphins often place seven defenders in the box and usually crowd the line of scrimmage. But Miami rarely succeeds when it comes to hunting quarterbacks with pressure, and it’s reflected in the team’s limited sack, pressure and quarterback hit totals for the season. This defense needs to find a player who can time the snap well and isn’t easily blocked. That’s presently not on Miami’s active roster, but the return of rookie strong side linebacker Trey Moore, who is working his way back from an ankle injury sustained in August, could help.

Kicking game needs to tighten up

The Dolphins’ performance on special teams has been embarrassing for most of this season, and it has already cost one kicker (Riley Patterson) his job. Last week Zane Gonzalez, who replaced Patterson but has run out of practice squad elevations, missed a field goal that could have tied Sunday’s game before the half. He did make two more in the second half, but the Dolphins need to be stronger on kickoffs, field goals and punts to prevent the team from consistently losing the field position battle.

Third-quarter disasters must end

The Dolphins have been competitive for all but the first two games of this season, but there’s usually a meltdown that takes place in the third quarter. Miami has been outscored 72-26 in the third quarter, which is typically when games get out of reach. The second-worst quarter in terms of points disparity is the second quarter, where Miami has been outscored 47-26. The fourth-quarter scoring has been 37-37, but most of Miami’s opponents have taken knees instead of scoring at the end of victories already secured.

Red-zone offense must execute better

The Dolphins have turned 47.6% of drives that reached the red zone (inside the 20) into touchdowns, which ranks Miami 28th in that category heading into Sunday’s games. The NFL average when it comes to red-zone scoring opportunities for this season is 62.8%. That means the Dolphins, which are averaging 15.8 points per game, which ranks 31st, have been leaving points on the board because of the team’s lackluster execution. The only team worst at scoring points this season has been the Los Angeles Chargers.

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