Can Miami’s O-line give Laird and Gaskin a chance?
The Miami Dolphins have four games left in a season they’ve been historically bad at rushing the football. In fact, Miami is on its way to being the worst rushing team over 16 games in NFL history. And now they face the Jets who are tops in the league at stopping the run, allowing only 75.2 yards per game.
The Phins have 762 total team rushing yards, which is 400 yards shy of the record for ‘worst eva‘ set by the 2000 Chargers with 1062 yards. To escape the record books, Miami needs to average a hundred yards a game. They are averaging only 62.8 now. In Miami’s first game against the Jets, they only managed 50 yards on 24 carries.
Brian Flores must perform coaching miracles to change this ugly destiny.
Can Gaskin, Laird, or Turner show some magic?
With Ballage on I.R., Myles Gaskin and Patrick Laird will carry the load. Although, newly acquired De’Lance Turner might get into the mix as well. Can any of these young back play hero to the franchise?
Really, it all comes down to how well the offensive line plays. Unfortunately, that realization doesn’t bring much comfort. The o-line and secondary blockers don’t have one outstanding run blocker among them. But the worst part is their lack of consistency. One player misses their assignment on just about every run play. Even a few plays a game where everyone executed their block would give the Dolphins a shot to get off the schneid.
If there is one straw to grab… it is this. Maybe this unit will find even a drop of consistency over the next four weeks? Hope for it, just don’t bet on it though with at the best pay per head sportsbook like www.AcePerHead.com.
This is just pie in the sky talk that will only be solved in the offseason.
For these backs though, it is what it is. It’s a rare opportunity for a UDFA and 7th Round pick to get a shot to carry the load and show what they are made of. This chance at the brass ring won’t come again, so they have to make the most of this chance… even if the deck is stacked against them.
From what we’ve seen of Gaskin and Laird so far, Gaskin will be the perimeter player and Laird the inside guy and receiver. Despite being 30lbs lighter than Ballage, Laird is averaging 1.6 yards after contact compared to Ballage at 1.7 yards. Not bad. Gaskin is averaging 2.7 after contact but is getting 1.6 yards before contact where Laird and Ballage were averaging a measly 0.6 and 0.7, respectively. This means Miami is moving the edge better than the inside.
I never like the matchup of center Daniel Kilgore against a 3-4. He always struggles in the run game against nose tackles. The Jets Folorunso Fatukasi, Steve McLendon, and Quinnen Williams will feast on Kilgore, Deiter, and Calhoun… unless magic happens. This will force more perimeter runs where the Jets LBs, beyond Brandon Copeland, aren’t good. It could be that Gaskins that gets the lion share of the runs this week.
Maybe Gase’s ‘charm’ will have the Jets quitting early?
I think the only QB’s worth a damn in this draft are Borrow and Tua. The other guys are a crap shoot. I especially don’t like Herbert who is a cannoned arm enigma of good and bad. I think he will BUST.
Tua will have to be evaluated with much scrutiny. Will he be able to work out for teams before the draft? If so, will he be able to show good progress from the injury/surgery? If the answer is no, this is a mighty gamble. Tua was/is a great franchise QB. Can he still be??
The only other QB who may be something in my opinion is Jalen Hurts. He played at a high level for 2 major programs. Can he continue that high level of play for a pro team? We’ll see
Borrow will be gone so quickly it’s not worth mentioning. If Tua doesn’t check out, then the Dolphins should look into trading up to the #2 spot and grab Chase Young. If the price is too high, the pick should be CB Okudah. With the next 1st round pick the Dolphins can grab the best Edge guy. With the last pick in the 1st round, they must consider QB Hurts.
Both 2nd round picks should be O-Lineman and they will also need to sign at least 2 in free agency.
The 3rd round picks should also be an 0-Lineman and CB
Most of these picks need to either start or contribute heavily for success in 2020
Tua will be a huge hit or miss, Jim. I’m as concerned of his injuries as you are. Burrow will go to Cincy for sure. Young would be worth the trade up, but I doubt the Skins or Giants would take the deal unless it was for too many picks. I think Miami should actually trade back if Burrow or Tua isn’t available… if they can get a good haul. I also agree they need O-linemen. It’s pathetic how bad this O-line is. Deiter has had a very poor season and he’s not a sure thing in the least. I rate only Jesse Davis as a keeper and he’s never to pick up his game as well. O-line is the key to everything and we have the worst O-line in the NFL!!!
I think the only QB’s worth a damn in this draft are Borrow and Tua. The other guys are a crap shoot. I especially don’t like Herbert who is a cannoned arm enigma of good and bad. I think he will BUST.
Tua will have to be evaluated with much scrutiny. Will he be able to work out for teams before the draft? If so, will he be able to show good progress from the injury/surgery? If the answer is no, this is a mighty gamble. Tua was/is a great franchise QB. Can he still be??
The only other QB who may be something in my opinion is Jalen Hurts. He played at a high level for 2 major programs. Can he continue that high level of play for a pro team? We’ll see
Borrow will be gone so quickly it’s not worth mentioning. If Tua doesn’t check out, then the Dolphins should look into trading up to the #2 spot and grab Chase Young. If the price is too high, the pick should be CB Okudah. With the next 1st round pick the Dolphins can grab the best Edge guy. With the last pick in the 1st round, they must consider QB Hurts.
Both 2nd round picks should be O-Lineman and they will also need to sign at least 2 in free agency.
The 3rd round picks should also be an 0-Lineman and CB
Most of these picks need to either start or contribute heavily for success in 2020
Tua will be a huge hit or miss, Jim. I’m as concerned of his injuries as you are. Burrow will go to Cincy for sure. Young would be worth the trade up, but I doubt the Skins or Giants would take the deal unless it was for too many picks. I think Miami should actually trade back if Burrow or Tua isn’t available… if they can get a good haul. I also agree they need O-linemen. It’s pathetic how bad this O-line is. Deiter has had a very poor season and he’s not a sure thing in the least. I rate only Jesse Davis as a keeper and he’s never to pick up his game as well. O-line is the key to everything and we have the worst O-line in the NFL!!!