Dolphins Line Crew Gets Its Big Chance Against Seahawks

So who will be the hero for the Dolphins in Dan Marino’s absence if they are to beat Seattle today? Running back Karim Abdul-Jabbar, quarterback Craig Erickson, wide receiver O.J. McDuffie or somebody on defense?

None of the above if talent has anything to do with it.

Take away Marino and the Dolphins’ best talent is on the offensive line, by far. Tackle Richmond Webb has never missed a Pro Bowl in his six full seasons. Guard Keith Sims has been to Hawaii the past three years. Coach Jimmy Johnson compared center Tim Ruddy to perennial Pro Bowler Mark Stepnoski this week after signing Ruddy to a contract extension. Right siders Chris Gray and James Brown are above average.

Furthermore, Webb and Sims have been asking for the responsibility to win games for years. They have begged for the running game to be emphasized.

Now, the running game becomes essential. Abdul-Jabbar is a rookie. Erickson has spent less than five weeks learning the Dolphins’ offense. McDuffie is a fine receiver, but has no complement in the rest of the receiving corps. The defense is an overachieving lot to this point.

To expect a lot of game-breaking plays from any of them is too much.

Then again, to expect much from the offensive line seems shaky after what happened in Indianapolis. Only 28 yards rushing and five sacks of Bernie Kosar. It was perhaps the worst breakdown in the seven seasons that Webb and Sims have been here.

But that performance only indicates even more how important the line is for the Dolphins. The line produced only one consistent drive after Marino went down. One more and the Dolphins might have won the game.

Given that Seattle is allowing 4.4 yards per rushing attempt, the opportunity is there.

Ruddy has quietly earned the respect of coach Jimmy Johnson and offensive line coach Larry Beightol as the comparison to Stepnoski shows. Stepnoski is the highest-paid and most-decorated at his position in the game.

Johnson drafted and coached Stepnoski with Dallas and Beightol coached him last season with the Oilers.

“(Ruddy) is an outstanding player,” Johnson said. “He was one of the ones who jumped out at me when I first got here… . I’ve been around some good ones, but he’s as good as I’ve been around. I think (Ruddy and Stepnoski) are comparable and that’s not just my opinion, that’s Beightol’s opinion as well.”