‘Philm Study’: Dolphins RB Salvon Ahmed
Salvon Ahmed is another excellent find from the NFL scrap heap
Brian Flores has wowed the league with his uncanny ability to quickly coach up new and young Phins players and get them to have an impact on game day. This is a rare skill for a head coach and is a huge reason why the Miami Dolphins have made their turnaround. But, you can’t coach up untalented players to consistent success in the NFL no matter how good of a coach you are. In all this deserved praise of Flores, a little talked about factor is the amount of talent Flores is being provided by GM Chris Grier. And, the most impressive part of this rise in talent level is the number of players coming from the NFL scrap heap. Running back Salvon Ahmed is the latest player ‘from the NFL parts unknown’ to become a big reason why the Dolphins are winning.
Salvon Ahmed came off the bench into the starting role without a hitch
Ahmed was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in May 2020, waived in August, and picked up by Miami for the Practice Squad. And there he sat until injuries to Myles Gaskin and Matt Brieda forced him into the starting role. Ahmed responded so well against the Chargers that the Dolphins cut veteran Jordan Howard.
While you can bet with the best pay per head services like www.AcePerHead.com that Ahmed isn’t the next coming of Barry Sanders, he is a quality back and an important piece for a team looking to have a stable of runners and not the stud, bell-cow running back.
Break down of the clip below
- In the first two plays, the blocking breaks down when Solomon Kindley is beat, but Ahmed shows maturity and makes the most of what was available.
- Third Ahmed shows excellent burst and cutting to tack on a little extra yardage to a gaping hole.
- The remainder of plays: enough patience and acceleration to give defenses fits on occasion and willingness to be physical. But, the total package isn’t enough to be dominating.
Break down of the 2nd clip
- Consistently maximizing the yardage with less than optimal blocking.
- Enough speed to press the hole and pick up extra yards even when defenders who have the angle.
- His weakest skill by far is pass blocking. But so was Gaskin in Year 1, and his improvement in Year 2 was tremendous.
- 1st gear speed and acceleration are well above average, but the later gears are average and prevent him from being a true ‘home run’ threat.
- Short area evasion and quickness allow him to add 2-3 extra yards on a consistent basis.
I did a more thorough breakdown below for those football geeks interested.
The long list of ‘nobodies’ that Miami depend on
- RBs UDFA Salvon Ahmed, 7th RD Myles Gaskin, and UDFA Patrick Laird.
- Trenches OL PS/ FA Jesse Davis, Waiver Wire Zach Seiler, and UDFA Benito Jones.
- WRs 6th RD Jakeem Grant & UDFA Mack Hollins.
- Edge 6th RD Van Ginkel, LB Back up FA Elandon Roberts, & CB UDFA Nik Needham.
Now, I’m not going to say all this talent is due to Chris Grier. It isn’t. Marvin Allen and Brain Flores certainly add a tremendous amount to the decision making process. But, it’s clear that Chris Grier has put together this front office and staff impeccably. This team sure does feel like a real winner! As the architect of the Dolphins’ leadership, it’s time to start giving Grier his due. Go Phins!!!
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I’m looking for the second coming of Ricky Williams. In his prime, he had the speed and agility but was punishing. His best runs came from the toss out where he could see the field, pick his hole and kick into overdrive. What a joy to watch in 2002 and 2003. Too bad Wanstedt ran him into the ground.
I think the Dolphins need to draft a premier back this next time.
As far as Brian Flores, I’m beginning to believe. Go Dolphins!
Ohh, Fritz! Ricky was the best! Such a talent. One of a kind both physically and mentally. I hated the Stache… didn’t really watch much Phins then. Jimmy drove Shula out and then screwed Marino then quit and brought in the Stache. Not a bad coach, but a 1-dimensional thinker. Ricky was so good and the only reason I came back to watch the Phins consistently through that era. I think a premier back is key even today… but there aren’t many of them anymore. Henry and Barkley are the only special talents (or near to it) out there now as pure runners. Now it’s about these hybrid WR / RBs. I’d rather spend a top pick on something else… unless they are special. I’d don’t want to spend a top pick on pretty good. Better to find that later on. If Miami had an excellent OLine, Gaskin would be good enough. BUT, if we could find a Ricky, Patton, Cambell, etc. level then grab them… Just when you look at a player like Elliot, it’s a waste to spend that much on that level of player. He’s pretty good, but paid to be great. I’d rather a bunch of ABove Avg backs paid peanuts with an excellent OL paid well. But, yeah, if we could get Ricky! Man, I miss watching a great back in Aqua… it was so short and special. I was a RB, so they mean the world to me…
Ahmed is impressive no doubt. Just think how well and the other backs could perform if there was good OL Blocking! Flores keeps saying that the OL is working very hard to improve the running game! I think if Flowers & Kindley lost a little weight, say 15-20 Lbs., they might be more agile. Right now, our O-Line has maulers, but they don’t get to the second level or able to pull effectively.
With Jordan Howard being let go, do the Dolphins add more depth at a position like DL? Has Benito Jones played and if so, how has he performed so far? Fans need to understand that we are in our 2nd year of re-build. The OL has 4 out of 5 new players, and 2 rookies starting, so this is a work in progress that may take into next season. However, the DL needs a real beast in the middle. I feel this position and MLB are our greatest need going forward. The 2 first round draft picks we need to go to the interior DL, and MLB. Perhaps 1 of second round picks can go for a OLB and maybe RT. A solid RT would enable Jesse Davis to play RG more, as he is better there than RT. Your thoughts on the Denver game?
” Just think how well and the other backs could perform if there was good OL Blocking!” This nails it. Ahmed is pretty good. I do think Gaskin makes more with less, but less with more than Ahmed. Benito Jones has played and hasn’t been a liability. Davis has REALLY stepped up. I need to show his improvement. MLB who is elite would transform this D to a whole other level. Davis looked a ton better at RG. Kindley and Hunt are struggling to overcome their weaknesses. I had a feeling Davis would replace Hunt. Hunt needs to work on his foot tech… he is getting killed now that this flaw is getting exposed. I need to do another OL study… so much to do… Glad Jimmy was able to do an article. We need some more writers or something. We should win against Denver. I agree with Jimmy. I think if we lose it’s a screw up on our part. I heard Lock is out. He throws picks but can make a big play with his arms and legs… We should be 7-3. WOW!!!!