Rookie Cecil Collins could put an end to Jimmy Johnson's never-ending search for a running back.

He spoke the old verities.

Football teams do not live by the pass alone. The run shall set you free. Verily, it is by the third-and-short conversion that the Dolphins shall come unto the Super Bowl.

But in the faith-testing fires of the regular season, Miami's running game came apart, then vanished, like smoke on the water. Last year, the Dolphins were 24th in the NFL in rushing, 29th the year before, 19th in '96.

Johnson's run-to-win sermons were borne out in glaring backlash. In his first two years, the team won one more game than it lost.

Given that, last year was a howling success. Miami went 10-6 and made the divisional playoffs. But the running game had little or nothing to do with it. What's left of Dan Marino's mighty right arm and a point-stingy defense had about everything to do with it.

In the final loss, a 38-3 disaster at Denver, the ground game suffered utter collapse. So much for the three-year plan. Not long after, Johnson quit. The next day, he rescinded his resignation.

What was that all about? Let's face it. Who really knows?

Johnson hired longtime buddy Dave Wannstedt as assistant head coach to ease pressure. In the 1999 preseason heat, Johnson exhibited his characteristic exuberance and announced he's totally rejuvenated, totally in charge, never been more ready to coach football.

But one wonders.

Is this the 57-year old Johnson's last hurrah? Is he grooming Wannstedt to take over? Will the prospects of a lame-duck head coach affect the quality of play?

While it makes for good Ale House conversation, let's face it. Who really knows?

Here's what we do know: It's late August, and bodies are colliding in Davie, Fla. Johnson is again offering daily affirmations about victory through running. The temptation is to smile cynically and to say, "Yeah, yeah."

But then you look out over the practice field and see a host of running backs and fullbacks, each about as good as the other. Draft picks, free-agent signings and healed-up veterans put flesh and blood and muscle behind the head coach's words.

You see an offensive line that is much improved -- even without holdout left tackle Richmond Webb, a franchise player who is haggling. Kevin Gogan, a 6-foot-7, 325 Pro Bowler from San Francisco, should add meanness. He's battling Mark Dixon for the left guard position, but Dixon could play at left tackle if Webb doesn't return.

So could Brent Smith, a second-year pro out of Mississippi State who dressed, but never got his uniform dirty last year. Center Tim Ruddy started every game last year and is a solid performer. There's James Brown at right tackle. He's decent. Nine-year veteran Kevin Donnalley should take the right guard spot.

The line was shaky last year. It might not dominate but ought to be competent. John Avery made an interesting off-hand comment in the first week of practice, just before he shooed reporters away to go take a shower.

"Maybe it's just me," Avery said.

"But the line seems about two levels better than last year."

Top receiver O.J. McDuffie is back after a short-lived contract spat. He led the league with 90 receptions last year, though the Dolphins threw more than they wanted to. Oronde Gadsden, late of the Arena Football League and Lamar Thomas both made solid contributions last season.

Maybe Tony Martin will be the deep threat Miami has been looking for. Maybe Yatil Green won't get hurt as usual. Maybe the 38-year-old Marino, who walks with a limp on his way to work but who can still hum that ball, will have somebody to hum it to.

The defense, one of the best in the league last year, might be even better.

You listen to Johnson talk the talk after practice, voice ringing with devotion, urgency, perhaps the vaguest hint of desperation. It makes you think. You almost hope.

Maybe this time, the man's got a team that can back him up.

In Joel Collier's dream of a perfect football world, his team would run half the time and throw the other half. Regardless of field position, situation or down: Air it out or pound it up there?

Flip a coin.

"The defense doesn't have a clue on you," said Collier, warming to the subject.

"First down, second down, third down. Most teams don't want to throw on third-and-short, but over the years, if you look at it, the teams that have been the most successful are just about 50-50 on third down."

The world isn't perfect. But things are closer to perfect than they've been in a while for a Miami running backs coach. There are many talented backs from which to choose, with a variety of talents. There is depth, and there promises to be depth once the preseason ends and the meat grinder starts turning for real.

An NFL back has to be able to take a pounding. Particularly in Miami's attack, which calls for a pounder who can dish and take punishment and keep on going. Durability in preseason will be a central criterion for judgment, Collier said.

Last year, the Dolphins were notoriously unsuccessful on third down. Finding guys who can make it on third-and-short is central to Collier's job.

He's the point man in the decision on who plays. As the days slide by and strong men do battle, he watches and makes note. Ultimately, two things will determine who carries the ball for Miami this fall, he said.

"Production," he said. "Who can make positive yards in the assignment he's given. You know what? That shows up pretty fast."

For the record: Tyrone Wheatley, late of the Giants, not noted for his aggressive game, lasted less than a week with the Dolphins.

"Second," Collier said, in a way that made you think this was really the most important thing. "Who can make something out of nothing, in the few times they have to do it. Sometimes, things don't go just right. Sometimes, the line doesn't block right, sometimes (the defense) is better than us.

"But the guy who can make something happen -- and he doesn't have to do it every time -- that's going to be the guy who gets the nod."

The tailback situation shakes out like this:

There's the incumbent, Karim Abdul-Jabbar, a proven if unspectacular runner. He ran for almost 3,000 yards the last three years -- at 3.6 yards a crack. Nothing fancy, but he commands respect.

He's the man rookies J.J. Johnson and Cecil Collins would displace if they're to start. John Avery, a first-round draft choice two years ago, hasn't budged the stolid Abdul-Jabbar. But he's been an effective third-down back and kick returner.

Early in camp, Abdul-Jabbar said he didn't mind being in the crosshairs. In fact, he said, he kind of liked it.

"I love to take care of business," he said.

"My father used to say it's one thing to take a hill, then you have to hold it. And every time you hold it, you test your character and your strength."

Collins has shown flair and dash in preseason. Almost daily, he does something impressive. He's been compared with Morris, a speed back with power. He brings a lot of baggage with him, though. His past trouble with the law and a trail of failed drug tests are well documented.

He played only six games in college, at LSU and McNeese State. But during one span of his abortive career, during his days at LSU, he staged a three-game rampage through the Southeastern Conference, personally dismantling Ole Miss and Auburn before a broken leg stopped him. That called his durability to question, perhaps unfairly.

He was signed to a three-year, $800,000 pact after the Dolphins gambled a fifth-round pick on him. Talent alone would have projected him a first-round pick, and his early showing as a pro has borne that out. He amassed 93 yards on 17 carries in a preseason game with the Saints.

If he can stay out of trouble and stay healthy, The Diesel could be trouble. He's already battling a right ankle injury, but Miami expects him back for the season opener.

Johnson, taken in the second round and Miami's highest pick, has had some good moments, looked like a rookie at others. He's a big strong guy. He's got speed. So does everybody else at this level. But he's also battled injuries throughout camp.

Avery, a first-round choice two years ago, has never really panned out. He can fly, but doesn't have the inside power of the others. His value will be as a third-down back. He has hands as good as many wide receivers.

Stanley Pritchett started 12 of 16 games last year at fullback. He's a dependable, known quantity, much like Abdul-Jabbar at tailback. Fullbacks don't run the ball much in the Miami system. Pritchett scored his first rushing touchdown with the Dolphins last season, and averaged 3.3 yards on 16 carries. He's a pretty good blocker. He can catch a pass.

Rob Konrad, a rookie out of Syracuse, is a horse. Johnson refuses to project much on a rookie, but the youngster has shined in practice. He's got excellent hands out of the backfield, and his size and power could pay benefits this season and in the future for sure.

Johnson likes Roosevelt Potts, an acquisition from Baltimore.

"Stanley Pritchett has meant a lot to this team," he said. "And Rob Konrad has a wealth of talent. But in a certain role, Potts could be an interesting player."

Potts looks a lot bigger than the 252 he's listed on the roster. He's aging, he hasn't the speed of his early career. He showed up overweight. But he's an animal on the field.

"He could be a guy," Johnson said, "who can blow up a linebacker for you or get a few yards on third and short."

Tom Ensey writes for The Stuart News in Florida.