Veteran Running Back Needed For Gase’s Stable?
Talent isn’t an issue with the Dolphins Running Back position – but, health is.
Is a veteran Running Back a necessity to bring stability?
If a veteran Running Back is needed, May 12th was a date that Miami had circled on their calendar to officially start the search, because it was the first day that a team could sign a free agent without affecting the compensatory draft formula.
The Dolphins were very strategic with some of their off season free agent signings due to the departure of quite a few big names. That loss will be slightly lessened with compensatory draft picks in 2017. However, now Miami can dip back into the free agent market, and it will have absolutely no effect on their 2017 compensatory draft picks.
Miami believes they will be awarded a 3rd, 4th, and 7th round compensatory pick- the 3rd and 4th are needed just to break even with their trade for WR Carroo.
With that being said, do the Dolphins need to continue to explore the free agent market to help their core of running backs?
At the moment, the Dolphins have Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake, Daniel Thomas, Damien Williams, and Isaiah Pead.
The most troubling aspect is Daniel “boomerang” Thomas, who has been cut twice by Miami, and who did not even step on the field for any team last year, has over 3 times more career careers than all of the other Dolphins running backs combined.
At the moment, it appears that Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake are going to be given the lion’s share of the carries. Considering that Adam Gase loves to have rushing as the engine to his offense, these two players should see a lot more touches than the Dolphin’s running back group from last season.
However, one thing that can’t be overlooked, neither of these young running backs have the cleanest bill of health. More carries, equals more contact, equals increased probability of a player getting injured, and that’s not good for guys with sketchy history of durability.
Ajayi has a degenerative knee and broken his rib that caused him to miss the first half of the season. Drake broke and dislocated his ankle in 2014, and his 2015 season was riddled with injuries: broken ribs, a concussion, a quadriceps injury, a sprained ankle, and a broken arm.
So, it’s fair to wonder if they can complete a full season.
Talent wise, Ajayi and Drake can be a good running back tandem. Dan Campbell said last year, “Ajayi runs like his hair is on fire,” which is a great way to describe Ajayi’s aggressive running style. Drake is more of a shifty and elusive running back that has speed. Both players are also very good ball catchers, so they both will be dangerous in the passing game as well. I would love to see Miami finally start to utilize the screen pass, which is a play the Philbin era never liked to use, but is a great way to keep defenses off balance.
Damien Williams is the only real possibility of a surprise wildcard in the deck. He can’t be be either discounted or counted on outright. Last year, Philbin tried to push him to step up. Williams inconsistency overcame his talent, and he regressed hard in year two. He has talent, but needs to know when he should extend himself and when to reel it in. He was expected by some to have a break out season as a 3rd down back. The zone-stretch, along with a better line and better coaching might finally get him to reach his potential – maybe.
So given the lack of experience, injury history, and inconsistency, most football gambling fans would suggest that Miami should still bring in a veteran running back to put in the mix. There are still a few serviceable running backs on the free agent market, such as Arian Foster, who has his own troubling injury history, Joseph Randle, and Joique Bell.
They have the cap space. I can’t see how they won’t chase another back to fill out the stable. Although, to be fair if I had my crystal ball working right, I might very well see a veteran won’t be needed. But, I don’t – it’s in the shop again. So, all I have to go on is the past, and last year’s roll of the dice on the guard spot has me hoping Tannenbaum has learned his lesson. Go Fins!!!
This is the Passing theory that should be of concern with the Dolphins? We need to have more of balance approach surely defenses are aware of this one dimensional approach.
Ryan Tannehill 586 363 61.9 4208
Matt Moore 1 1 100.0 14
Lamar Miller 194 872
Jay Ajayi 49 187 Was not healthy Good Running Back!
Damien Williams 16 59
Jonas Gray 31 122
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Tom Brady Won 12 games
ATT 624
COMP 402
TD 36
4770
R. Tannehill Won 6 games
ATT 586
COMP 363
TD 24
4208
Fitzpatrick Won 10 games
ATT 562
COMP 335
TD 31
3905
Tyrod Taylor They won 8 games
ATT 380
COMP 242
TD 20
3035
EJ Manuel Att 84 comp 52 61.9 561
Admin Our opponent May add fullback as well, Dolphins don’t get caught sleeping protect your QB in the Backfield and add blocking for your Running Backs in addition to using that Fullback for tough yards. This is not An Obsolete position!
New England PAT’s May 15, 2016 current Running Backs
LeGarrette Blount (29), Brandon Bolden (38), Donald Brown (34), James Develin (46, FB), D.J. Foster (–), Tyler Gaffney (36), Dion Lewis (33), James White (28)
The unit struggled in 2015, but the Patriots did not add a running back via the draft. Dion Lewis, returning from an ACL injury, and re-signed free agent LeGarrette Blount are the one-two-punch at the position, with core special teamer Brandon Bolden the likely number three to make the roster.
The major question to be answered over the upcoming weeks is who will join the three on the team. FULLBACK JAMES DEVELIN has the best chances, with Brown, White and undrafted rookie Foster fighting for the spot behind Lewis. Tyler Gaffney is currently the player best suited to back up Blount but he is far from a roster lock and has to beat out his competitors to earn a roster spot.
Teams of interests 2015 NFL Rushing Yards Ranking!
Ranked———————–ATT———Total Yards—–TD
1.Buffalo Bills————-509———2332————19
2.Carolina Panthers———526———2282————19
3.Seattle Sea Hawks———501———2268————10
13.Denver Bronco’s———–411———1718————13
23.Miami Dolphins————344———1496————11
30.New England PAT’s———383———1404————14
32. Detroit Lions————354———1335————-7
Out of the Teams above the Pats and Panthers did not draft a RB.
1. Buffalo Bills——–5th round drafted RB Jonathan Williams Arkansas
3. Seattle Sea Hawks—–3rd round drafted C.J. Prosise RB Notre Dame
5th round drafted Alex Collins RB Arkansas
7th round drafted Zac Brooks, RB Clemson
13. Denver Bronco’s—–drafted 4th round Devontae Booker, RB Utah
and 6th round Andy, Janovich, FB Nebraska
23. Miami Dolphins—–drafted 3rd RB Kenyan Drake Alabama
32, Detroit Lions——drafted 7th round Dwayne Washington RB
Washington
Seattle Sea Hawks drafted (3) Running Backs looking for another Mashawn Lynch.
Denver Bronco’s understand the need of a Fullback and drafted one To help protect their young QB? I think El Way would know this BETTER?
Will the Miami Dolphins Backfield have defenses concerned? are just take that week off?
The Run Game is a matter of interpretation for many why its used.
How important is the Running Game?, In 2015 The Bills top the NFL for Most rushing yards! Where as the Detroit Lions was last in rushing yards, The Denver Bronco’s won the Supper Bowl But ranked 13th in the league rushing who beat the Carolina Panthers who ranked number two in league rushing.
The Bottom line having a well balanced team wins Super Bowls offensively and Defensively.
2015 NFL Rushing Yards Ranking! 2016 Drafted Running
Back
Ranked ATT Total Yards TD
1. Buffalo Bills 509 2332 19 5th RB Jonathan Williams Arkansas
2. Carolina Panthers 526 2282 19 Super Bowl Loser No RB
3. Seattle Sea Hawks 501 2268 10 Play Offs 3RD C.J. Prosise RB Notre Dame
5th Alex Collins RB Arkansas
7th Zac Brooks, RB Clemson
13. Denver Bronco’s 411 1718 13 Super Bowl Winners
4th Devontae Booker, RB Utah
6th Andy, Janovich, FB Nebraska
23. Miami Dolphins 344 1496 11 3rd RB Kenyan Drake Alabama
30. New England PAT’s 383 1404 14 Play Offs No RB
32, Detroit Lions 354 1335 7 Rd 7 Dwayne Washington RB
Washington
Many Fans think this position is not important and that they come a dime a dozen????? I dont think so nor does Denver who also went with the FB and Running Back, Seattle draft 3 running Backs. Both teams are Super Bowls Teams??
Admin
The Dolphins are still a below 500 point team Offensively. This status will remain long as the back field is not healthy. Surely everyone cannot run pass routes without the proper blocking? This would be a no brainer for most defenses to defend?
Also, look at the Pats. They run a system that most of us would say can’t work well enough, but does. Yes, the caveat is Belli and Brady. But, there is time to acquire other players to set their lineup…I hope.
Admin
What is the Goal? to win games! We have Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake. We must allow healing time period. I would rather see them the second half of the season healthy than unhealthy at the beginning of the season. So Yes we need a good Full Back to get by for Daniel Thomas, Damien Williams, and Isaiah Pead to have an impact?
Admin
Saban’s take on RB Drake!
Just ask Saban, who predicted a month prior to the draft that Drake would generate lots of interest in the NFL, despite serving mostly as a backup at Alabama while struggling a bit with durability.
“Kenyan Drake is a unique style player,” Saban said prior to Alabama’s Pro Day. “He’s kind of a specialty guy who is a great receiver, especially as a mismatch guy out of the backfield, but he can also go out and run routes like a receiver. And he does have some potential as a running back, which is his natural position, especially on any kind of space plays. This is a guy that some people are going to covet, especially in style of play that you have right now.
Admin
Jay Ajayi, Kenyan Drake are not a 100% yet! allotted the proper time to heal. We need to locate a Fullback for those tough yards, blocking etc.
I Cant believed that we did not draft one of top 3 fullbacks in the draft for rushing yards, passing, blocking etc. Maybe this is not important to the Fins?
(One Dimensional Offense) We will see a spread offense with Tannehill passing one, two, three on the Bench! So what has changed? Can these guys block and how well? Daniel Thomas, Damien Williams, and Isaiah Pead.
I don’t think they will get a FB, but as you said in a previous article an H, or F. They have a couple of players Durate and Hughes who might fit that bill as a H or F. Sims and Cameron are too big the be shifty enough play that role…Thomas though is a wild card, at 6’1” 235 he could play that role on some plays and packages. I know Gase loves the running game, so I can’t see how he is just planning on running double or single TE’s every run down…time will tell
Admin
On one hand, it seemed like a trend that fullbacks were being phased out in the NFL. In October 2015, Anthony Gulizia of the Washington Times published a piece on the subject. He noted a reduction in the playing time of a Washington Redskins fullback. “He has played less than 10 percent of the team’s offensive snaps — a sharp decrease from the 20 percent he’s played each of the last two years.
Admin
This is not a dying position as some would have us to believed.
“Because the Panthers have Tolbert, Cam Newton and running back Jonathan Stewart, they are one of the best teams in the NFL at converting in short yardage. When the Panthers had three yards or less to go for a first down, they ran the ball 92 times during the regular season – more than anyone – and converted 65 percent of the time – sixth-best in the league.”
Admin
Denver Broncos
Best pick: Andy Janovich, FB (Round 6, No. 176 overall)
Skinny: It’s unusual to place a fullback in the “best pick” category, but he plays a position that Gary Kubiak understands how to utilize. He can block, catch, handle short-yardage carries, and he’s a special-teams ace. Janovich was a great value pick.
Admin
Tyler Clutts is available
Tyler Clutts signed with the Miami Dolphins before the 2013 season. He was waived on October 1Clutts was signed to fill that role. In 2014, he helped DeMarco Murray become the NFL’s leading rusher. He also scored his first career touchdown in the divisional round playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.
In 2015, after Clutts contract expired, the team signed free agent fullbacks Jed Collins and Ray Agnew in what seemed a change of direction. Surprisingly on May 18, Collins was released after just two months and Clutts was re-signed. With the departure in free agency of Murray, Clutts was used during the preseason for depth purposes as a running back. He would make the team and helped Darren McFadden rush for 1,000 yards.
Admin
Hey here a list of FB some have signed with other teams etc.
Tyler Clutts, Dallas Cowboys
David Johnson, San Diego Chargers
Will Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
John Kuhn, Green Bay Packers
Mike Tolbert, Carolina Panthers
Will Tukuafu, Seattle Seahawks
Darrel Young, Washington Redskins
Admin
Hey here is a list of Free Agent Fullbacks some have signed with other teams. The Jets, Bills and Pats have at least two fullbacks on their roster. Admin the running backs we have cannot perform this blocking assignment.
Tyler Clutts, Dallas Cowboys
David Johnson, San Diego Chargers
Will Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
John Kuhn, Green Bay Packers
Mike Tolbert, Carolina Panthers
Will Tukuafu, Seattle Seahawks
Darrel Young, Washington Redskins