Miami is hoping Foster is history repeating itself in Moreno — sort of.
Moreno & Foster are different types of runners, but both were an upgrade.
In a way, the Miami Dolphins are seeing history repeat itself. This time though, Miami is hoping the 2016 Arian Foster can be greater than the 2014 Knowshon Moreno in just one category — durability.
Two seasons ago, a “injury prone” vet in Moreno was brought in to compete with Lamar Miller. He competed all right, he competed so well, he took over the role of starting running Back.
Moreno was everything Miami needed at Running Back — everything, except durable.
Flash forward to this season. When the Dolphins failed to resign Miller, they automatically promoted Jay Ajayi to the starting running back position. However, in-house, Miami was still uncomfortable with relying on Ajayi for the lion’s share of the running back duties, so they tried very hard to sign a veteran running back and struck out a few times. In the end, they drafted a running back, and then just before training camp began, they signed veteran Foster.
Foster was still recovering from an Achilles injury, but he has quickly showed the coaches that he still has something left in the tank. Yet, the depth chart still reflected that Ajayi would be the starter, even after the preseason was completed.
Miami has now announced that Foster has leapfrogged Ajayi and is “officially” the Miami Dolphins starting Running Back.
Moreno 2014 and 2016 Foster have come to a nexus point.
Here though is how history might be altered.
1) Coach Adam Gase is going to use multiple running backs during the game, so even though Foster has been labeled as the starter it does not mean that Ajayi is not going to get playing time — this could help set a new course on fate, so that Foster doesn’t repeat Moreno’s path of a heavy load early.
2) Also, Foster is a different type of runner than Moreno. Moreno was more a Cambell type of fierce contact, where as Foster is more the Allen type and uses shiftiness to deflect and evade contact. This is a big one that could turn the course of history in Miami’s favor this time around.
3) Miami’s line is better than the 2014 cast and this should offer Miami more options on downs and better holes, so Foster will likely see a bit less abuse than Moreno.
4) Moreno was noted as having less than stellar work-out regime, where as Foster is a consummate pro in keeping himself in top form.
These last two are bit more subjective. But, I feel they are valid.
5) Philbin was a cursed item to the Miami Dolphins organization and brought bad mojo to anyone wearing orange and aqua.
6) My fingers (and Fin Fans everywhere) are crossed this time due to Moreno’s 2014 stay in Miami, making the fan base prepared to give a collective rebuke to “no whammies” in 2015!
Okay, maybe not valid — but would you believe semi-valid? Okay, how about remotely possible?
Although most pay per head sportsbook fans would agree that reasons 5 & 6 are less than concrete, rationales 1-4 definitely are bonuses that Moreno didn’t have. Yes, there’s a load of luck involved, but skill of staff and player does play a part. Awww heck, I’m going to be positive on this one simply because…because, it’s the start of the 2016 season, and my wife and kids are going away, so I get to be home alone — me and my Fins! So Fin Fans, let the warm and fuzzes reign — at least for now! Go Fins!!!