Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman’s play calling has come under criticism from fans and the media, and it has reportedly also been criticized by the Dolphins’ players.
Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that multiple players are questioning Sherman’s approach, and that guard Richie Incognito, in particular, is unhappy Sherman stopped calling running plays in the second half of Sunday’s loss to the Patriots.
“I think we should just keep running the football 30, 40 times a game,” Incognito told Salguero. “That’s our blueprint for success. We have to run the football for four quarters.”
Sherman’s play calling on Sunday was odd. In the first half, the Dolphins had three long scoring drives, and Sherman called either five or six runs on all of them. At halftime, the Dolphins had a 17-3 lead, and you’d think they would have kept calling running plays to protect that lead. Instead, the Dolphins ran the ball just eight times in the second half and watched their 17-3 lead turn into a 27-17 loss.
Criticism of Sherman’s play calling goes beyond the players. According to Salguero, one unnamed high-ranking person within the team says Sherman misses fundamental, basic aspects of running an offense.
If Sherman wants to keep his job as the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator, tonight against the Bengals would be a good time to get his offense rolling.