Durability Of Miami Running Backs
Durability concerns touch all the major candidates for starting RB.
Durability is a key attribute for NFL players.
Miami Dolphins training camp is nearly in full swing. And now, with the pads are on and contact being made, is durability at Running Back becoming an even greater concern – as if that were possible?
Jay Ajayi suffered a bruised knee during some contract drills, and as a result he will be sitting out for a couple days.
Isiah Pead as suffered a minor injury in his hammy and is now dinged.
Even though Ajayi should be back on the field in no time, this does not hide the fact that Ajayi has had setbacks in two consecutive training camps.
And while he didn’t miss time in college, he did drop in the 2015 Draft due to a degenerative knee issue.
The Running Back position has the shortest shelf life in football due to the violence of play the position, so durability is right at the top of a backs most important skill in their skill-set. If Ajayi truly is going to be our starting running back, he is going to be hit a lot this season. try as I might, I just can’t get my gut to bank on him being able to play a full 16 game season without missing time due to an injury.
One thing that best pay per head fans have not brought up in regards to us losing Lamar Miller this off-season was his durability. Sure Miller was underused and did not get a ton of carries in his time with the Dolphins; however, he never had injury troubles, and the injuries he did have were nagging and not debilitating. Sure, he was banged up at times, but that never kept him from missing a game.
Compare that to Ajayi, who got hurt before the season started last year and missed the first half of the season.
Then to add a little gasoline on the fire, the Dolphins drafted Kenyan Drake and signed Arian Foster. Both players have medical files the size of telephone books. I am not saying I do not like these two acquisitions, but the fact is that there is considerable risk with both of them. If these guys can not break their trend of suffering injuries, then Miami could be cycling through running backs faster then Casanova went through women.
This is why the return of Damien Williams is crucial.
He has the talent, but his inconsistency has never allowed his talent to bloom.
If they can get quality play from him this season and suck up some snaps, this could help the rest of the stable stay fresher and take less rolls of the dice in the injury crap shoot.
I might be in the minority, but I have always felt that he was always a half-step behind success. Hopefully, Miami can roll a double Yahtzee in the injury department and in Williams rehabbing his career’
They might just need him at some point this season.
Go Fins!!!
…we’ll know what Gase is doing come the seattle game …I expect to see him run more than pass …but that will last just as long as Foster does …remember when Moreno came in and ran wild for a couple games before a season ending injury …Miller never came close to filling Moreno’s shoes behind the same line …i think Ajayi will be the same story if/when Foster goes down …but that’s only my opinion, worth half of what it cost you 🙂
Jimmy
We have a gifted offensive line that can open running lanes against the best NFL defensive. We are not proficient in pass blocking @ 1.5 to 3 second for the QB to decide where the ball may go?, missed passes etc. This will destroy the best of Linemen cohesion.
We need to learn how to Crawl first. We have seen this before! about 30 years, 29 plus QB’s and about 9 coaches on their passing genius which eventually got them all terminated.
We may have a top defense this season But if the offense cannot get into the in zone resulting into our defense dying on the field with no relief?
Solution: Our offensive linemen can open holes against any defense in the NFL league But the Dolphins are chasing fools Gold in stead with this passing. U remember when Bill Parcel was coaching the Dallas Cowboy and the Dolphins played them on a thank giving day. Parcells told his cowboys “(We have not played a team like the Dolphins this season)”. Who had Ricky Williams and that offensive line in running over teams and over powering defensive. That’s what an elite run game brings intimidations. That is the only way we win 11 games this season. A well balance offense.
Jimmy!
There have been over 30 QB’s and about 9 coaches who have attempted to pass verses having a well balanced offense and they all fine themselves terminated sooner are later. Dolphins have 4 offensive linemen drafted in the 1st round and are great linemen. But this Miami Dolphins Concept pass 90% is a recipe for disaster.
Solution: The Best offensive line Run 70% and pass 30% .
I’ll answer for Jimmy – look a Tebow’s year as an example – of course you need a very good D to make it happen. So, yeah, a high run percent is far more consistent a factor in getting wins than a high pass percent would be. I agree with you there.
Admin
In the 70’s the Dolphins had a game plan/practice that was more contact without a doubt but seem to have less injuries? Czonka even Ricky Williams, were every down backs who punished defenses and they did not missed games? In this era less contact in practice the Dolphins cannot complete the 1st week of practice without the key players on the field?
Would you say less contact means more injuries? Less contact I believe create softer players? Maybe to many of the players are stepping back unto the field to early after an injury?
Jimmy!
RB Damien William upside: Damien is not my 1s option But!
1. The Best pass blocker
2. Durable
3. Low Mileage
There are many Dolphin Fans who believed hey just throw any running back in long as the offensive line is good. I differ in opinion with that analysis, running back Foster clearly will out perform any running back that we have if healthy.
RB Williams durability will allow him to prevail over Foster, Drake and Ajayi?
That means RB Williams should get more Rep’s and playing time. Running backs only get better when you use them.
I agree…now DRake has a bad hammy…went down today. Foster is going to be soooo critical this year. And yeah, as a former Rb, I agree talent at back makes a huge difference. But, it’s better to have a good line and avg back than an avg. line and good back. Foster will def. outperform everyone and make a difference, where some of the other backs will just keep it afloat.