Can Dolphins Lead League in Rushing? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Can Dolphins Lead League in Rushing?

SF Dolphin Fan

SF Dolphin Fan

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I know at first glance this may seem like a huge stretch. But after the awful first five games last year, Miami ran the ball very effectively with the emergence of Jay Ajayi. Plus, we know that Adam Gase loves to pound the rock and has had success doing just that elsewhere.

The Dolphins established their identity as a running team last year and that should continue right off the bat in 2017. Ajayi has confidence and obvious talent, the depth behind him is at least decent with Kenyan Drake as a potential big-play guy. Also, Ryan Tannehill is an athletic quarterback who can get off of the pocket and rush for yards if needed.

Another point, MIami has weapons in the passing game which will make it difficult for teams to sell out to stop the run.

The offensive line is an obvious question, but this unit could also be pretty good if Mike Pouncey stays healthy and someone emerges at guard. Those things can happen.
 
Without question we should be at the top of the league in rushing offense and total offense, provided that we stay healthy. Pouncey is the key to that.

Ajayi is absolutely ready to explode.
 
J Train and Drake are certainly talented enough to lead the league in rushing, and we also have the skill position players to take the pressure off of them, but I'm just not sure that our interior o line is good enough.
Two big IFs are at play here.
If Pouncey can stay healthy and play at a high level and if we can get solid LG play from Larsen or Asiata then our o line/ run game will be in very good shape.
 
We have the backs.

It's all about the line.

With our passing attack potential, that should really loosen things up. If the D starts to crowd the rush, Tannehill has a plethora of high performance targets at all ranges. Thomas, Drake, and Williams up close, Juice and Thomas (again) intermediate, and Stills and Parker deep. That'll keep the rush honest. Theoretically.
 
If Miami leads the league in rushing fans will complain about a down year by Tannehill, Parker, Landry, Stills and Thomas. I don't see how this team could put up the passing numbers fans want and also lead the league in rushing.
 
If Miami leads the league in rushing fans will complain about a down year by Tannehill, Parker, Landry, Stills and Thomas. I don't see how this team could put up the passing numbers fans want and also lead the league in rushing.
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yep. we'll be good at rushing and good at passing, and have one of the best offenses in NFL, then spend the offseason arguing with know-nothings who say Tannehill is not elite because he's a game manager.
 
The only way we will be in the top 5 is if Tannehill rushes for at least 400yds with a high ypc
 
phish said:
The only way we will be in the top 5 is if Tannehill rushes for at least 400yds with a high ypc
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ChrisTRD said:
I hope they call more designed run plays for Tannehill.
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I really disagree. Coming off a knee injury, I want to see Tannehill running only in a few cases when the pocket breaks down. Only on 3rd downs where he has a legit chance of gaining the needed yardage. If it 3rd and 15 just throw the ball away and punt. I wouldn't call more than 6 or 8 designed running plays for Tannehill during the entire season. Phis I take it you were saying that's what it would take for Miami to lead the league in rushing, not that's what you want to see.
 
I think we will be top 10 rushing and top 10 passing.
I really have no concerns about moving the ball and scoring.

Can we slow down and stop good offenses like the Pats. Defense especially against the run needs to improve drastically.
 
Ajayi is capable, but I think there's a better chance we lead the league in average yards per carry.
 
Gsmack_42 said:
I only see it, if the Cowboys lose a OL or two.
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Dallas and Buffalo will be hard to top for sure. I think Houston will certainly try to run the ball a lot with Foreman and Miller and a rookie quarterback.
 
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