Consistency in the running game is more important than big plays
Big rush totals looks nice, but consistency in rushing brings consistent wins
The NFL is pretty much a passing league. However, that doesn’t mean that the NFL is a one dimensional league. If a team truly wants long term success in this league, then they need to have a balanced offense that runs the football.
During Coach Joe Philbin’s tenure in Miami, and for the first few games of Adam Gase‘s tenure, Miami’s offense was pass happy and with very little rushing attack to speak of. However, Coach Gase acknowledged his mistake and made a concerted effort to get the running game more involved in his offense.
By week 5, Gase decided to lean on its running game by giving Jay Ajayi 25 carries against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Miami Dolphins were rewarded with a dominating victory and a 204 yard rushing performance from Ajayi.
This ignited Miami’s start to their 6 game winning streak, and a three game streak of over 100+ yards for Ajayi. For anyone watching the games it was clear that Miami had transformed themselves into a successful ground and pound offense.
Sure, the offensive line was super healthy for this stretch in the season, but the team also realized they were blessed with having the type of running back that not every team has.
The most dramatic thing the Dolphins can do is bring consistency to their run game
Ajayi is a ferocious runner who enjoys contact and does a terrific job of punishing defenders with his downhill aggressive running style. This style cannot be taught. Running backs are either finesse backs or smash mouth runners… and Ajay is a smash-mouth runner that wears on a defense, especially in the fourth quarter.
This is an identity that Miami must build on this upcoming season.
But they need consistency, and the line needs to do more work, so Ajayi doesn’t have to break 4 tackles before he gets to the line of scrimmage.
Miami must focus on is being consistent, because even though Ajayi had an impressive 3 games where he ran for over 200 yards, he also had 11 games where he ran for under 80 yards, and 6 of those 11 games he ran for under 50 yards.
Sure in games 2-4 Ajayi had a total of only 18 carries over 3 games, which is when Gase was still experiencing a pass happy Philbin hangover. However, there was still 8 other games where Ajayi and the running game were basically a non-factor. This needs to change this season.
The key for any running attack is the offensive line… and for us, this mostly boils down to health ad Guard play.
Betting software for bookmakers are still not convinced that Miami has completely solidified their offensive line issues, because Mike Pouncey is still a huge question mark in terms of health, Laremy Tunsil already suffered a hamstring injury in OTA’s, both Guard positions could be a liability, and Right Tackle Ja’Wuan James has yet to have a complete year that’s not diminished by some poor play or injury.
Consistency could propel this run attack to greatness
None of this is a lock either way. So fans must watch, wait, and pray.
Miami must get a couple of lucky breaks with Pouncey being available for most of the season and some surprisingly above-average performance at the Guard positions to get the consistency they desperately need.
One of the best stories out of OTA’s so far has been the continued improvement of Ajayi, which is downright scary considering that he ran for 1,272 yards and 8 touchdowns last year. However, he can’t do it all on his own and needs help from his offensive line, if he is going put up more consistent 100+ yard performances.
Will he get the help he needs? No one knows. So we must lean on our faith in Gase to believe it will happen. Yeah, this could end up really good or really bad. I’ll roll the dice and say it will work out… of course it’s very easy to do this time of year. It’s a lot harder if the run game is a disaster Week 1. What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about whether or not Miami can have a more consistent running attack this season?