NFL 2017: 10 players with the most to prove

[DKphin]

[h=3]

1. Jay Ajayi[/h] Raise your hand if you saw Ajayi having a breakout season. Nope, that’s what I thought.
With the Miami Dolphins struggling to have some type of an offense, Ajayi came out of nowhere to breathe new life in the Dolphins season in 2016. His stats were out of this world, rushing for over 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns. It became clear that in the third season of his career he and Tannehill will look to make another run at the playoffs.

[h=3]10. Ryan Tannehill[/h]The Miami Dolphins’ quarterback was a key cog in the reason why the Dolphins reached the AFC playoffs this past season. Even though he wasn’t hurt going into the postseason, he made great strides after a rough start. Going into 2017, he’ll be 100 percent healthy and with the dynamics of the league changing,Tannehill’s progress will be key. Tom Brady can’t play forever and eventually the Patriots will pass the torch to someone else in the AFC East.
The only logical choice here is the Dolphins. The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets show no signs of progress and the Dolphins have the best roster to make a move. If Tannehill can remain productive and healthy, don’t be shocked if the Dolphins reach the playoffs for the second straight season.

http://fansided.com/2017/02/14/nfl-2017-x-factors-odell-beckham-ryan-tannehill/5/

 

[psfign]

I can agree with that

 

[DuderinoN703]

The Miami Dolphins’ quarterback was a key cog in the reason why the Dolphins reached the AFC playoffs this past season. Even though he wasn’t hurt going into the postseason, he made great strides after a rough start. Going into 2017, he’ll be 100 percent healthy and with the dynamics of the league changing,Tannehill’s progress will be key. Tom Brady can’t play forever and eventually the Patriots will pass the torch to someone else in the AFC East.
The only logical choice here is the Dolphins. The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets show no signs of progress and the Dolphins have the best roster to make a move. If Tannehill can remain productive and healthy, don’t be shocked if the Dolphins reach the playoffs for the second straight season.

But he was hurt going into the postseason. There's no guarantee he's going to be fully healthy heading into 2017 either.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Ajayi's stats were "out of this world"? :err:

Yeah he rushed for 200+ thrice (2 vs the lowly run D of Buffalo), but he failed to break 80 yards in 11 of the 15 games he played, lacked consistency, and was not a factor in the passing game.

I'll agree with the original premise of the article that he still has a lot to prove.

 

[LANGER72]

With the injuries to Pouncey and the patchwork players on the oline, I think Ajayi did quite well.
Ajayi also battled a shoulder injury at the end of the season as well.
I think he proved he belongs. Every player has something to prove when the new season starts.

 

[Shula Fan]

Ajayi has less to prove then a dozen other players on the team.

 

[Eesti]

I think Ajayi has proved what we needed to know. I think the front office has to prove they can put enough talent on the line to keep him from getting hit in the backfield even when we have injuries.

In Miami, the players with the most to prove are.....

1. Jordan Phillips
2. Leonte Carroo
3. Albert & Pouncey (stay healthy)
4. Dion Jordan

 

[Phinatic8u]

But he was hurt going into the postseason. There's no guarantee he's going to be fully healthy heading into 2017 either.

According to whom?

Its February and he's got no brace or limp. He's visited James Andrews, if he needed anything close to surgery he would've gotten it by now.

 

[Awsi Dooger]

I don't see Ajayi with much to prove. He had the combination of quickness and yards after contact in college that has proven to be the most important combination of traits toward NFL success at running back. I was wrong to underrate him at Boise State. Only 2 or 3 backs each season enter the league with that combo atop their scouting report.

Last year Ajayi again had excellent numbers in yards after contact. Once a back translates that ability to the NFL, it tends to carry forward, at least as the young legs hold up. Very fragile position, obviously.

It's very normal for top running backs to have lopsided stats in certain games. Anybody who doesn't realize that has never paid attention. LeSean McCoy led the league in yards per rush this season, among backs with significant number of carries. McCoy averaged at least 4 yards per rush in 9 of 15 games, which was exactly what Ajayi managed. That 4 yard criteria is similar to 7 yards per attempt for passers. Once in a while you have rare consistency like Ezekiel Ellliott at 12 of 15. LeVeon Bell was 8 of 12 in the regular season.

I can't believe we're trying to punish or doubt someone based on extremely favorable stats, and during victories. These weren't padded numbers after hopelessly behind, like other examples we've seen around here. Two of those 200+ games were decided late and Ajayi played a key role both times.

 

[LANGER72]

I don't see Ajayi with much to prove. He had the combination of quickness and yards after contact in college that has proven to be the most important combination of traits toward NFL success at running back. I was wrong to underrate him at Boise State. Only 2 or 3 backs each season enter the league with that combo atop their scouting report.

Last year Ajayi again had excellent numbers in yards after contact. Once a back translates that ability to the NFL, it tends to carry forward, at least as the young legs hold up. Very fragile position, obviously.

It's very normal for top running backs to have lopsided stats in certain games. Anybody who doesn't realize that has never paid attention. LeSean McCoy led the league in yards per rush this season, among backs with significant number of carries. McCoy averaged at least 4 yards per rush in 9 of 15 games, which was exactly what Ajayi managed. That 4 yard criteria is similar to 7 yards per attempt for passers. Once in a while you have rare consistency like Ezekiel Ellliott at 12 of 15. LeVeon Bell was 8 of 12 in the regular season.

I can't believe we're trying to punish or doubt someone based on extremely favorable stats, and during victories. These weren't padded numbers after hopelessly behind, like other examples we've seen around here. Two of those 200+ games were decided late and Ajayi played a key role both times.

Ezekiel was also running behind arguable the best oline in football, and McCoy was on a team that was run oriented.
Ajayi came out of no where. He, along with Tunsil were major surprises last season. Going forward, I feel good about those 2 positions (LT,RB) with those players.

 

[39wildman]

I do not see what ajayi got to proved. he was one of the reason why we made playoff.
first we must understand what are Miami dolphins goal. in 2017.. just make playoff, afc champ game or superbowl...
1. thill17 Miami will only go as fur as thill17 skill sets.. need continue to improved. not best in nfl, but not worst in nfl.
2. offense line need stay health....need add og that can start right away.
3. defense need stop running game better.... last 4 game def was bad stopping running game but manage to win game. lot of injury player. defense is not as bad as people think. need add more play maker
4. wr parker yr year 3 should be his yr.
5. Jordan Phillips. played better than his rookie yr. he should become good player in yr 3.

 

[royalshank]

But he was hurt going into the postseason. There's no guarantee he's going to be fully healthy heading into 2017 either.

i had to read that sentence 3 times - is it a typo? E.g., meant "was hurt"?

---------- Post added at 11:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:13 PM ----------

According to whom?

Its February and he's got no brace or limp. He's visited James Andrews, if he needed anything close to surgery he would've gotten it by now.

i read it as "postseason" = playoffs. Perhaps I read it wrong.

 

[CChambers84]

Ajayi's stats were "out of this world"? :err:

Yeah he rushed for 200+ thrice (2 vs the lowly run D of Buffalo), but he failed to break 80 yards in 11 of the 15 games he played, lacked consistency, and was not a factor in the passing game.

I'll agree with the original premise of the article that he still has a lot to prove.

Rushing for 200 yds + in 3 separate games is pretty out of this world tbh

 

[Sons Of Shula]

I don't see Ajayi with much to prove. He had the combination of quickness and yards after contact in college that has proven to be the most important combination of traits toward NFL success at running back. I was wrong to underrate him at Boise State. Only 2 or 3 backs each season enter the league with that combo atop their scouting report.

Last year Ajayi again had excellent numbers in yards after contact. Once a back translates that ability to the NFL, it tends to carry forward, at least as the young legs hold up. Very fragile position, obviously.

It's very normal for top running backs to have lopsided stats in certain games. Anybody who doesn't realize that has never paid attention. LeSean McCoy led the league in yards per rush this season, among backs with significant number of carries. McCoy averaged at least 4 yards per rush in 9 of 15 games, which was exactly what Ajayi managed. That 4 yard criteria is similar to 7 yards per attempt for passers. Once in a while you have rare consistency like Ezekiel Ellliott at 12 of 15. LeVeon Bell was 8 of 12 in the regular season.

I can't believe we're trying to punish or doubt someone based on extremely favorable stats, and during victories. These weren't padded numbers after hopelessly behind, like other examples we've seen around here. Two of those 200+ games were decided late and Ajayi played a key role both times.

Stats are fun b/c you can manipulate them any way you desire. :up:

Ajayi needs to be more consistent with is defensive reads, eliminate his high number of negative runs, and help keep the offense on the field instead of contributing to being #32 in overall plays run and #31 in 1st downs. Just cause the cat can run over a few guys after contact (what exactly defines "contact", BTW) doesn't mean after one year that was less feast than famine that he doesn't have much more to prove. I'm more interested in his success rate than I am in his y/a.

 

[hoops]

I think Ajayi has proved what we needed to know. I think the front office has to prove they can put enough talent on the line to keep him from getting hit in the backfield even when we have injuries.

In Miami, the players with the most to prove are.....

1. Jordan Phillips
2. Leonte Carroo
3. Albert & Pouncey (stay healthy)
4. Dion Jordan

I will add devantae parker to that list