Maimi has tried running the ball without much success.
Running Backs and the offensive line both need to step it up for the sake of the season.
The Miami Dolphins are only two games into the 2016 season, and their offense is already looking eerily similar to last year’s pass heavy offense with little running of the ball. So far, the Dolphins have thrown the ball 74 times and ran the ball only 36 times.
This equates to the Dolphins passing the ball 67% of the time and only running the ball 33% of the time.
Now, I understand that we threw the ball a ridiculous amount of times in the Patriots game because we were getting blown out by half time…so, I know this game really distorts the numbers. However, the real concern behind this distortion in passing versus running is simply that Miami just can’t run the ball.
The improved offensive line has not looked that improved — in the run game. While they have improved in game 2 by reducing down the amount of times Ryan Tannehill got tossed around like Raggedy Andy, they are still not opening any running lanes.
Since the success of the running game starts with the offensive line, they need to get better in run blocking, and quickly, if Miami has any intention of running the ball.
Running the ball starts with the O-line and is finished by the backs.
The second problem is the Running Backs.
Foster played well the first game, but he injured his groin and had to leave the game. That left Jay Ajayi to handle most of the carries…well most is not saying much considering he ran 5 times out of the Dolphins total 16 carries. However, Ajayi had a very bad fumble that came at a time when Miami was just starting to get back in the game. Ajayi has not done much in his limited action with Miami, and most pay per head bookie software sites would say he looks more like a number two running back or even a number 3 back, then a bell cow starter.
Damien Williams was inactive for the game against the Pats, which meant that Kenyan Drake got a chance to suit up. Drake only got two carries, but he scored a very nice touchdown, where he was able to display his speed to get to the outside and get to the End Zone. On his 2 carries, he was able to get 12 yards for a 6 yard per carry average, and he was able to also provide two catches for 6 yards. Sure, this an extremely small sample to work with in Drake’s first NFL game, but he showed potential. I would really like to see him recieve more touches, too see if he could be more productive then Ajayi. Question is, can Drake handle more carries? If not he is just another role player at the running back position, which is fine– if Miami had a primary back.
Then there is Isaiah Pead, the most productive player in the Preseason. He has shown big play talent, but an injury dampened his spark. Will he be active this week? He’s one player I’d like to see get a few touches to see if he is legit or a flash in the pan.
It is obvious that the combination of our not so great offensive line, and not so great group of running backs is causing us to ultimately have a not very good running game. We need to desperately find a way to get something going on the ground. I also wouldn’t mind seeing a few trick plays on the ground with Grant, just to open things up a bit and keep the defense guessing. What is the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about our lackluster running game?