Lamar Miller Will Establish Himself as Star in 2015

[Sons Of Shula]

By Cian Fahey

Lamar Miller enjoyed something of a breakout season last year.

The now 24-year-old running back finished the season with 1,099 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. It was his first year ever eclipsing 1,000 yards after totalling just 959 rushing yards over his first two seasons in the league.

The Dolphins ran the ball with a running back on 330 occasions last season. Miller got the majority share, but finished the season with just 216 carries and 38 receptions. He averaged 13.5 rushes per game and the Dolphins were consistently reluctant to keep feeding him the ball after a number of productive runs.

Joe Philbin and Bill Lazor were clearly wary of their smaller running back wearing down over the season and didn't trust his durability. As such, Miller spent the offseaosn adding weight, 15 lbs to be precise.

Even though Philbin and Lazor clearly were reluctant to feeding Miller more carries, they gradually gave in as last season progressed. Over his final three games of the year, he had 17, 24 and 19 touches. When opportunities arose to add running backs in the offseason, the Dolphins weren't aggressive.

Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor is the orchestrator of the Dolphins offense. He implemented a system that shares many traits with Chip Kelly's in Philadelphia. Lazor was Kelly's quarterbacks coach before he became the Dolphins offensive coordinator last year.

If Lazor wants to push his offense further into the Kelly mold, he will need to run the ball more than he did last season. Furthermore, Lazor may be set up to call more runs with a much-improved defense.

The Dolphins ran the ball 330 total times with their backs. LeSean McCoy, during a supposedly down season, ran the ball 312 times on his own last year. Add in the other running backs and the Eagles had 415 rushes from running backs in 16 regular season games.

Most importantly, his skill set suggests that he can sustain his success and he isn't simply reliant on big plays that bloat his average.

Miller is a perfect fit in the Dolphins offense because he has the speed, quickness and vision to exploit the space it naturally creates. Therefore, the risk of losing speed after adding weight in the offseason was more significant for him than is typically.

Fortunately for all involved, it appears that Miller still has his burst despite his weight gain.

Much more in the full article here: BR - Lamar Miller

 

[4th And Drunk]

I'd prefer if he just moderately improved this season, letting us lock him up on an affordable contract - and then exploded the following year.

 

[ANUFan]

The next great back from The U? I certainly hope so! Without saying a word his play on the field seems to show his confidence in being an NFL RB and command of his role as a runner in this offense. Not much hesitation in his game during the preseason. Decisive decisions as a back! Trusting his eyes and instincts.

 

[Penthos]

I thought Miller looked awesome against the Falcons. With all our other weapons on offense, teams might overlook him a little bit and he will make them sorry for it.

 

[ANUFan]

I thought Miller looked awesome against the Falcons. With all our other weapons on offense, teams might overlook him a little bit and he will make them sorry for it.

He's really trusting his eyes and the feel for the game more. It's resulted in him playing much faster! It's starting to look easy for him...

 

[nate5413]

Let's hope got him on all my fantasy teams!!

 

[hoops]

Will be an interesting contract for miami...potential to overpay here

 

[fishfanmiami]

Lamar's last year in college he started off with several straight 100 yard games and looked unstoppable then injured his shoulder. He played after that but never at that same level. After three years he looks to finally be back to that high level again.
I think he's improved his pass catching and blocking and could be in for a special year in this offense.
If so we may have to over pay a tad just to keep him around.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Will be an interesting contract for miami...potential to overpay here

First and foremost it's always about business, but I think we could truly see a hometown discount when it comes to Miller. Born in Miami, went to HS at Killian, played at the []_[] and now with the Dolphins. His heart and soul has always been in Miami.

 

[cafinfan408]

He added 15 pounds!! Thats crazy I hope he keeps his burst as the season goes on

 

[ANUFan]

Only if he could learn to break those nagging ankle tackles...argh!

 

[normaldude]

I hope we manage to keep him, at an affordable rate.

[video=youtube;SvAuX2MRZyw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvAuX2MRZyw[/video]

 

[hoops]

I havent paid a lot of attention to the rb market but in our scheme 5 and 25 mil is probably where i would be willing to go...its just not a position unless the guys rediculous you should have to pay premium money

and jay ajayi looked to me like in that preseason game hes gonna be eating into someones carries in 2015

 

[FSU Truth]

Miller is another player that has worked hard and improved each season....

I don't know...maybe, just maybe we should giving this staff some credit for developing these in house guys...and if this is indeed the case, we are well on our way to a very well run franchise, one with sustained success and not the ebb and flow of victory some teams have has.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Miller is another player that has worked hard and improved each season....

I don't know...maybe, just maybe we should giving this staff some credit for developing these in house guys...and if this is indeed the case, we are well on our way to a very well run franchise, one with sustained success and not the ebb and flow of victory some teams have has.

Goddamn right.