The Dolphins' Real Running Back Issue | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

The Dolphins' Real Running Back Issue

Dolph N.Fan

Dolph N.Fan

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Help could be on the way for the Miami Dolphins running game after they played against the New York Jets in Week 12 without their two rushing leaders.

The Dolphins are hoping that leading rusher Myles Gaskin could return this week after he missed the past four games with a knee injury, and there's also hope that second-leading rusher Salvon Ahmed could be back after he sat out the Jets game with a shoulder injury.

But there's a real question that needs to be asked just about now: How much of a difference would either player make?

Without Gaskin and Ahmed, the Dolphins rushed for 104 yards on 25 carries in the 20-3 victory against the Jets at MetLife Stadium.

The 104 yards represented the fourth-highest total of the season for the Dolphins, and the team's 4.2 average also was its fourth-best and also its highest since the first Jets game back on Oct. 18 when the average was 4.4.

But the bottom line when it comes to the Dolphins running game is that it just hasn't been very good all season, as evidenced by the fact Miami ranks 30th in rushing yards per game (95.3) and dead last in rushing yards per attempt (3.63).

Without question, the offensive line shares some of the blame, but it's also fair to point the finger at what is a lackluster running back corps.
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www.si.com

The Dolphins' Real Running Back Issue

The Miami Dolphins have been dealing with injuries at running back, but have deeper problems at the position
www.si.com www.si.com
 
Its a young O-line. With 3 rookies starting or seeing meaningful snaps plus a journeyman center, it makes sense that 2020 would have... uneven... play at that unit.

Couple that with a bunch of third down backs who play far tougher than they are in size and it can get ugly. I give the RBs a thumbs up for effort. They are just too small for sustained use.
 
fish_fan said:
Its a young O-line. With 3 rookies starting or seeing meaningful snaps plus a journeyman center, it makes sense that 2020 would have... uneven... play at that unit.

Couple that with a bunch of third down backs who play far tougher than they are in size and it can get ugly. I give the RBs a thumbs up for effort. They are just too small for sustained use.
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being small wouldn't be bad if they were good.

christian mccaffrey
warrick dunn
maurice jones-drew
barry sanders
phillip lindsay
clyde edwards-helaire
 
Dolph N.Fan said:
www.si.com

The Dolphins' Real Running Back Issue

The Miami Dolphins have been dealing with injuries at running back, but have deeper problems at the position
www.si.com www.si.com
Click to expand...
I expect more out of Sports Illustrated when it comes to proper spelling.

"Without question, the offensive line shares some of the blame, but it's also fair to point the finger at what is a lackluster running back corps."

The correct spelling is "running back corpse."
 
Currently, Miami has complementary backs and a young offensive line that has clearly had ups and downs.

I think Miami needs another quality offensive lineman, for the young players currently on the line to continue to develop, and a thumper at running back, who can can win the short-yardage downs.
 
Last season I thought that Laird ran better than Gaskin and I still feel the same way this year, although for some reason Flores gave Gaskin the start. Laird's only touch on Sunday was a nice 9 yard run up the middle, although it ended with a fumble after a defender knocked out the ball. Even so, I'd still start Laird over Gaskin. I also think that Ahmed and Washington are upgrades over Gaskin. But, none of them are #1 RBs and Miami won't be able to get one until next year. Until then, I'd go with Laird, Ahmed, and Washington.

And of course, the o-line isn't helping much!
 
gofins60 said:
Last season I thought that Laird ran better than Gaskin and I still feel the same way this year, although for some reason Flores gave Gaskin the start. Laird's only touch on Sunday was a nice 9 yard run up the middle, although it ended with a fumble after a defender knocked out the ball. Even so, I'd still start Laird over Gaskin. I also think that Ahmed and Washington are upgrades over Gaskin. But, none of them are #1 RBs and Miami won't be able to get one until next year. Until then, I'd go with Laird, Ahmed, and Washington.

And of course, the o-line isn't helping much!
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I respectfully disagree brother. Laird missed some blocking opportunities last week. Gaskin is under rated in pass protection as well.
 
We are rebuilding. Why exactly is running back a topic?

a) not gonna fill every need in 1 or 2 drafts

b) I would draft the franchise RB at the end of the rebuild process. Prime example: the NY Giants. They still suck and their RB has 2 years of wear and tear AND a torn ACL. I think it is pretty stupid to make a RB the first priority in a rebuild. We are fairly close to contention so I would not be against drafting one next year
 
lbmclean_nocal said:
We are rebuilding. Why exactly is running back a topic?

a) not gonna fill every need in 1 or 2 drafts

b) I would draft the franchise RB at the end of the rebuild process. Prime example: the NY Giants. They still suck and their RB has 2 years of wear and tear AND a torn ACL. I think it is pretty stupid to make a RB the first priority in a rebuild. We are fairly close to contention so I would not be against drafting one next year
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Brother you have to upgrade the talent at RB and WR to give this offense a real chance to succeed. It can’t be put off another year.
 
Fin Fan in Cali said:
Brother you have to upgrade the talent at RB and WR to give this offense a real chance to succeed. It can’t be put off another year.
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I don't think most are suggesting it be put off another year, and I really don't think it will.

I don't, however, have any issue with how they handled it last offseason.

They took a shot with Howard and Brieda, with zero long term investment, knowing it was a temporary fix. I believe most of us thought it would get us through.

As it turned out, Howard blew, and Brieda was never meant as anything more than change of pace.

Disappointing? Yes, but the idea wasn't bad in the context of a comprehensive plan that addressed other positions first.
 
IMO more evidence the OL is not a completely completed project.

Sure, better RBs wouldn't hurt. But based on what I've seen of

(for example) Najee Harris -- he wouldn't be killing it for us.

And of course better QB play would help us across the board.
 
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