dudebro420mang
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He is on pace for 326 carries. I think the magic number "that kills running backs". Do you think we can afford to get Drake or Williams the ball earlier in games and save Ajayi more for the second half.
Ajayi carry sustainability
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Phinatic8u
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Who cares..Ride him until you draft another one.
Miamifinz
On to the next (year)
Harsh but true - easy position to find gold at. Chiefs snatched up an all pro in the third round this year.
I think Ajayi at this point has graduated to dynamic RB status though. One of the half dozen or so game changers in the league. Forgot what it's like to have a run game like this. Ride the J-train as long as it can go!
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When we drafted him the word was that he dropped from a 2nd rounder to the 5th because he has a bone on bone knee condition. He had it at Boise State too, but still racked up a ton of great tape. So, the thought was that his knee condition would most likely prevent him from getting a 2nd contract .. but that's speculation. So, while the rest of his body may be taking a beating with a high number of carries, it is still likely to be his knee that determines whether and at what rate he gets his next contract.
So from his stand point, he's on a 4 year deal, and this is year 3. Being so dominant and consistently productive, while adjusting to what Gase wants (much better pass pro, much better ball security, less ego), might just get him an extension this offseason. Considering the pre-draft medical prognosis, that would be a major win for Jay Ajayi. Given Gase's track record of rewarding good play, that seems like a realistic proposition as well.
From the Dolphins standpoint, sure, we'd want to share the load a bit. IMHO, Damien Williams had a good game in limited time, and has shown generally solid play this year, particularly as a receiver. In the limited times we've seen Kenyan Drake over the last two years, he also seems like a good candidate to take some of the load off of Ajayi and be a change of pace back. So, yeah, I agree, we probably should work in some more carries for Drake and Williams and a few less of Ajayi. But, the physicality of the J-Train wears down defenses, and that cumulative effect is what we're seeing in the 4th quarter. I'd guess that some games Jay will get very heavy use, and other games when we can't open the run lanes as effectively, that's when we may see more carries by Drake and passes to Williams.
Unfortunately, nobody inside or outside of Dolphins HQ sees Ajayi having a 10+ year career because of the knee condition. So, the incentives to hold off on his carries, simply isn't there from his point of view nor from the Dolphins point of view. But, maybe a 2 or 3 year extension could make both Jay and the Dolphins happy. Then, maybe we would have more incentives to reduce his load.
So from his stand point, he's on a 4 year deal, and this is year 3. Being so dominant and consistently productive, while adjusting to what Gase wants (much better pass pro, much better ball security, less ego), might just get him an extension this offseason. Considering the pre-draft medical prognosis, that would be a major win for Jay Ajayi. Given Gase's track record of rewarding good play, that seems like a realistic proposition as well.
From the Dolphins standpoint, sure, we'd want to share the load a bit. IMHO, Damien Williams had a good game in limited time, and has shown generally solid play this year, particularly as a receiver. In the limited times we've seen Kenyan Drake over the last two years, he also seems like a good candidate to take some of the load off of Ajayi and be a change of pace back. So, yeah, I agree, we probably should work in some more carries for Drake and Williams and a few less of Ajayi. But, the physicality of the J-Train wears down defenses, and that cumulative effect is what we're seeing in the 4th quarter. I'd guess that some games Jay will get very heavy use, and other games when we can't open the run lanes as effectively, that's when we may see more carries by Drake and passes to Williams.
Unfortunately, nobody inside or outside of Dolphins HQ sees Ajayi having a 10+ year career because of the knee condition. So, the incentives to hold off on his carries, simply isn't there from his point of view nor from the Dolphins point of view. But, maybe a 2 or 3 year extension could make both Jay and the Dolphins happy. Then, maybe we would have more incentives to reduce his load.
Running backs aren't a dime in a dozen. So it'd be great to not run Ajayi into early retirement.
Kenyan Drake....NOT Damien Williams, needs to be getting more carries.
Ajayi just needs to get better at catching but he is a beast. I see him getting run into retirement but like someone else said, RBs are a dime a dozen. We could probably pick one up every year in the draft.
Im with the "just give him the damn ball" school of thought. Guys that split carries get hurt too, and weve seen guys that carry the ball like crazy remain healthy. Sure he might need a spell here and there, but if he's on it keep feeding him.
We really need another bruiser type RB that can run the ball between the tackles.
Williams cant do it.
Drake hasnt shown me anything that would lead me to believe he can do it. Maybe he can, I havent seen him enough though.
Williams cant do it.
Drake hasnt shown me anything that would lead me to believe he can do it. Maybe he can, I havent seen him enough though.
This is an interesting discussion because I could easily see two completely different view points.
Obviously when Ajayi does well, the team does well so the school of thought is to feed him the rock. The point of the game is to win and riding your horse makes the most sense.
At the same time, I am concerned about his longevity and would definitely like to see him playing along side #17 for 3-4 more years and don't want to see him abused on a potentially wasted season. However, at the end of the day your 3-2 with a chance to go to 4-2 against a beatable home opponent. You play to win the games and as long as Ajayi is on the field he is going to run like his hair is on fire.
It would be very telling of our future potential if we can back into a wild card spot with Jay Cutler at the helm.
Edit: Additionally I like Drake but he had some negative plays yesterday (on ST's) that left me a little concerned. Gase needs to find unconventional ways to get the ball in Drake and Grant's hands on offense.
Obviously when Ajayi does well, the team does well so the school of thought is to feed him the rock. The point of the game is to win and riding your horse makes the most sense.
At the same time, I am concerned about his longevity and would definitely like to see him playing along side #17 for 3-4 more years and don't want to see him abused on a potentially wasted season. However, at the end of the day your 3-2 with a chance to go to 4-2 against a beatable home opponent. You play to win the games and as long as Ajayi is on the field he is going to run like his hair is on fire.
It would be very telling of our future potential if we can back into a wild card spot with Jay Cutler at the helm.
Edit: Additionally I like Drake but he had some negative plays yesterday (on ST's) that left me a little concerned. Gase needs to find unconventional ways to get the ball in Drake and Grant's hands on offense.
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It's how he runs as well, this is not a guy that shies away from contact.
They almost need him to run a certain route where he can get his feet and hands set. Or maybe a flare out of the back