We won’t get our first look at this newly crafted Dolphins defense until our first minicamp, which will be June 5-7, but we can catch a small glimpse at the OTA workouts which will be May 22-24, May 29-31 and then June 11-14. I can’t wait to see the new faces, and even some new old faces. We’ve definitely made a lot of changes, and only time will tell if the moves we’ve made help our team. Besides the obvious cap cost cutting of Ndumakong Suh, the Dolphins brought in DE Robert Quinn for an exchange of draft picks, the Dolphins sending the Rams 2018 4th and 6th RD picks, in exchange for the Rams 2018 6th RD pick and of course, Robert Quinn. We recently traded a 2019 7th RD pick to the Detroit Lions for DT Akeem Spence. In the draft we selected the versatile FS/CB/DB Minkah Fitzpatrick who can cover anywhere on the field, against anyone on the field, from RB’s to TE’s, to WR’s. To continue the pass coverage theme, the Dolphins drafted speedy cover LB Jerome Baker in RD 3. In RD 6, the Dolphins added another piece in CB Cornell Armstrong who will add depth to our CB stable. In RD 7, LB Quentin Poling will be a ST’s player, and then we signed a bunch of UDFA’s, most notably Utah State CB Jalen Davis.
It seems as if we’ve made quite a few changes, and in my mind, it was quite necessary. Of course, offensive struggles beget defensive struggles, but I’m just talking about the defense, which was far from good last year. Mid pack in yardage allowed, and 29th in points allowed. Something had to change, and changes were swiftly made. While jettisoning Suh won’t make us a better defense, my hope is we will be less reliant on one player. As great as Suh is/was, he played an insane amount of snaps, and let’s face it, he’s still human, and at 6’4 310, playing close to 900 snaps with the majority of them being double teamed had to be exhausting. I think more frequent rotations of lineman will ultimately benefit our team. You can’t expect one man to do it all, and I think in some ways that’s what happened.
Let’s look at the front 7. New additions to this group are 2017 NFL Draft 2nd RD pick LB Raekwon McMillan. I’m excited to see the young man back on the field manning the MLB position. He earned the job last season, and hopefully now healthy, will retake it. We traded for DE Robert Quinn, and he should be starting, and then getting some help from last year’s 1st RD pick DE Charles Harris. 36 year old Superman Cam Wake returns for his 10th NFL season, and we brought back run stopping DE/DT William Hayes for another season. DT’s Jordan Phillips and last year’s 5th RD pick and surprise success DT Davon Godchaux will likely be the starters, but again, there will be frequent substitutions to keep players fresh. We may see the LB we traded a 2018 5th RD pick for to the Saints Stephone Anthony man the SLB spot, and returning WLB Kiko Alonso. We declined to pick up the 5th YR option on Anthony, which hopefully will have Anthony playing hungry for a new contract.
I think what we’ve really improved upon this season is depth, and that definitely counts big time in a sport where injuries occur daily. This is what I believe at the moment would be our starting lineup, and then depth behind the starters.
RE Robert Quinn/Charles Harris
DT Jordan Phillips/Vincent Taylor
DT Davon Godchaux/Akeem Spence
LE Cam Wake/William Hayes
SLB Stephone Anthony/T.J. McDonald
MLB Raekwon McMillan/Chase Allen
WLB Kiko Alonso/Jerome Baker
RCB Cordrea Tanskersley/Tony Lippett
LCB Xavien Howard/Torry McTyer
NB Bobby McCain
FS Minkah Fitzpatrick
SS Reshad Jones
I think safety T.J. McDonald will be transitioning to LB play on passing downs, and I won’t be surprised in the least if our 2 nickel LB’s at some point of the season are Jerome Baker and T.J. MCDonald. I strongly believe Minkah Fitzpatrick will be our starting safety from day 1, and will easily earn that spot next to Reshad Jones. I truly hope that McDonald will embrace that change and take it as a positive. We have him under contract for 4 years, now he just needs to play where we need him, and earn it! Even if Minkah Fitzpatrick does start, it’s great to have McDonald right behind him on the depth chart.
Charles Harris seems like the forgotten man after trading for Robert Quinn, but I think he will see plenty of snaps on passing downs at both RE and LE, subbing for both Quinn and Wake. I think he’s actually going to have a very nice season for us. At LB, the additions of McMillan and Baker should make both the run defense (Raekwon) and the pass defense (Baker) better. Add in T.J. McDonald, and it just seems so much better than watching Kiko Alonso trailing just about anyone from 5-10 yards behind them. I know it’s unfair, but that’s what it looked like most of the time, and that’s why Baker and McDonald are here. If Robert Quinn is healthy, we can hope for big things from him, and if he starts out hot, Wake will benefit as well, because Quinn will get more attention, which will allow Wake to just beat the RT, and not worry about a RB or TE on his side.
At DT, Jordan Phillips will have his chance to show the NFL he’s a premier player with the absence of Ndumakong Suh. He’s now going to be the man, and up and comer Davon Godchaux, who had a nice rookie season now steps up into the starting lineup. Redundantly, and I apologize, there will be lots of rotation, but the next guys in need to hold their own, and that’s where trading for Akeem Spence comes in. He’s been the next guy in for Detroit, and should thrive in that role here in Miami. Vincent Taylor will be also counted on to be that next guy in, and DE William Hayes can double as a DT on passing downs, much like the NASCAR or speed package many teams employ.
Last year at CB, Xavien Howard really made a late season push, and hopefully he takes over where he left off. Cordrea Tankersley looked good out of the starting gates, but had his ups and downs IMO, but the knock on him that he shies away from tackling didn’t show itself last year, which was encouraging. Slot CB Bobby McCain easily had his best and most consistent season last year. Arguably, he was our best DB last season. To me though, the biggest addition is S Minkah Fitzpatrick. Like I said earlier, he will be starting from day one, and he’s the lynch pin to the back end of the defense. He gives us something we haven’t had our in quite some time, a player who can protect the CB’s in our zone defense. He has the instincts, the speed, and the recovery speed to make plays in the secondary. This allows Reshad Jones to help out closer to the LOS, with Minkah patrolling the deep skies. Honestly, I just can’t wait to see this in play.
I don’t think we’re going to be a top 10 defense this season, but I do think we will be close in some categories, and if the offense holds up it’s end of the bargain, who knows, maybe top 10 is attainable. Why not us? next week, I’m going to look at the offense, but in the meantime, D-fense! D-fense! D-Fense!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Stanger, thanks man! That is one of the things we were planning to do. Price should be in my range, just need to hope for a day of decent weather. We are taking our snorkel gear as well.
The booze cruise snorkeling tour on the catamaran was awesome. They take you out to the reef and it’s awesome. On the way back they open the bar. If you drink before you get to the reef you can’t snorkel.
And guessing that was done by Fury just like every group on water tour in Key West…..they are like the mob bosses when it comes to stuff like that. Seem to do a real good job though. And BBM set himself up on one of the only beaches on the island…..that is a hard find.
Have a look at Ajayi here for the Eagles. Now granted these are his HIGHLIGHTS, you’ll notice how often he ran untouched from the LOS to the second level. In some cases, he wasn’t even touched before gaining 10 yards.
The ’17 Eagles run-blocking O-Line looked a bit better than our ’16 O-Line, while our ’17 run-blocking O-Line looked like a dumpster fire until the last month of the season.
Thus, no RB on our team (Ajayi early, Damien early-mid, nor Drake mid) could get anything done. Once our O-Line finally gelled late in the season, only THEN did we see results.
It’s not about Ajayi vs Drake… IT’S ALL ABOUT OUR O-LINE(!!!), specifically in the run-blocking department: the falloff from ’16 to ’17 was very palpable.
Man, deGrom is a battler – 45 pitches, 20 foul balls in the 1st inning, and gives up ZERO runs to the Phillies. Impressive!
Tim – Oh yeah, that was a Met classic!
RB draft status
last year 5th, UDFA, 2nd
this year 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Rob,
I never denied Drake got stuffed for losses too. I stated it here:
“All 3 of our backs had the same issues throughout the year.”
and explicitly here:
“One of our biggest problems last year, including with Ajayi, was teams would blow us up for losses too often on 1st down.”
Now this statement here conveys the point I already made:
“You always give Ajayi a pass for all his poor runs with the blanket ‘he faced 8 in the box’, or ‘even though he was getting stuffed, because he faced 8 he opened up the offense’.”
And this statement:
“you don’t know that Ajayi saw more 8-man fronts than Drake.”
So why are you giving me instances of Drake getting stuffed? I’m not going to bother, but I can go back and give you instances Ajayi got stuffed. It isn’t the point, or even disputed, that they both got stuffed, smh.
The points I raised are still valid and unaddressed. You assume Ajayi faced only 8 man fronts in ’17 and that Drake didn’t face any. And that when Ajayi was stuffed it was always due to 8 man fronts, but when Drake got stuffed it always wasn’t. Ajayi may have faced more, but again, I bet the numbers are a lot closer than you contend.
You restating things that I’ve already said doesn’t advance your argument, it just creates a circular debate, which you do often. Your last post literally didn’t add any new perspective or address anything.
MF13,
I agree completely with your last post.
Our run game this year will hinge on the oline. If our oline can get it done, we have a stable of backs that can tote the rock.
and our oline was awful in’17.
We could rarely run when we had to. I hope that changes this year.
If it doesn’t, we’re going to have a long year. And if Drake is the lead back when it happens, Rob is going to be even more of a stubborn SOB (said with a smile, Rob). 🙂
Thanks, Bro!
For the record, I’m not trying to take sides with ANYBODY… logic tells me that it was our O-Line at fault last year.
The OL struggled early on but played better later in the season. Strangely enough Davis at RG and Young at RT played very well down the stretch.
Exactly, as I noted above (without mentioning Davis or Young by name). The ENTIRE O-Line gelled VERY well down the stretch… something that coaches would love to see from game #1… not game #12.
Yeah, it’s not about sides anyway. It’s all about perspective and viewpoints. Without reams of analytical data, we’re all just talking. I alluded to it previously when I talked about believing in your own BS (your meaning everyone in this instance).
If Rob came back with data that Ajayi faced 8 man fronts on 90% of his negative rushes and Drake faced 8 man on 10% of his negative rushes, I’d concede that point and adjust my perspective. As it is I just think his perspective is skewed. But it could easily be mine that is. I don’t get to involved in my own BS that I can’t change my viewpoint, lol.
I actually respect Rob’s tenacity in this viewpoint, misguided though I think it is.
RIP, Chuck Knox.
RIP Chuck, very good coach.
This “early on” vs. “down the stretch” thing could’ve been affected by the defenses we played in those two sequences, by collateral injuries, by Larsen taking over @ LG and Davis taking over @ RG, by the replacement of the sniffy coach, by Cutler playing better later, by Gase getting a guy to run his plays instead of free-lancing so that the 2-3 yd run set up the d for the big gainer instead of Ajayi not hitting the holes designated early so that the d was never properly set up and even our OL was confused about what the guy running behind them was doing early.
That’s not comparison of pure RB “talent” but more prep and dedication. Both backs have talent.
The season was a chaotic mess. It was not so simple as Ajayi games vs. Drake games.
Some years you could say that, but last year was historically f’d up.
I can’t believe none of you stinkin’ Mets fans accepted my opening salvo and returned fire.
CESPEDES!
lol 😉
Badmitton?
Never between friends.
Good game at a BBQ because you can play while holding a beer. LOL
I’ll just leave this here!
What is this saying?
Pretty predictable offense.
You don’t expect me to actually read all the shit I post do you???? 😉
BUT, I did think it might be relevant to the 3 day argument?
Meaning when trailing we pass a lot and when leading which was hardly ever we passed much less?
What argument? Did I miss something?
There’s a lot we can do this year because we have many more pieces to work with.
“The Celtics draped every seat in the stadium with black ‘Protect the Parquet’ shirts for Game 1 today against the Cavs today.” Man what a great move by the owner.
btw the way underdog Celts won 108-83. And Lebron looked most unhappy….maybe they forgot to order one in his size.
Stanger/Phindog/phish: Thanks for the info. I went to Furycat.com and just booked two different trips with Fury. I can’t believe the deal for the “Ultimate Adventure”. $140 per person they provide breakfast then take you on the catamaran to the reef snorkeling, then take you to their over water waterpark and provide jet skis and parasailing, buffet lunch and complimentary alcoholic drinks (only to be consumed after you are done snorkeling, jet skiing and parasailing). Looks freaking awesome. Much appreciated!
Dude… that is a screaming deal! Enjoy it. I’ll miss you by a couple of weeks.
I’ve been to Key West twice. Over those two trips we did the sunset cruise, the snorkeling and my wife and I charted a boat to go fishing in the flats one time. That was cool, saw nurse sharks, manta rays jumping out of the water, sight fished for small hammerheads but never landed one. Caught a bunch of jacks but many of them were bloody heads after the barracudas were biting them in half on the way up. The winner of the day was when the guide hooked a barracuda and handed the pole to my wife saying you may not get it in because there was no steel leader, but he hooked it just right and she landed it. It was about 48″, big fish.
It was funny on the snorkeling trip I was talking to the captain on the way out and I asked him so what kind of sharks do we have here? He said not many, they’ve been over-fished and it’s rare. LIAR!!!!! I didn’t buy it to begin with. Not that I saw any while snorkeling but I later looked into it and there are plenty especially bulls and hammerheads. He didn’t want the truth getting around the boat. LOL
Did see those barracudas while snorkeling though. They stay real stealth like pike and just wait for the moment.
“You always give Ajayi a pass for all his poor runs with the blanket ‘he faced 8 in the box’, or ‘even though he was getting stuffed, because he faced 8 he opened up the offense’.”
And this statement:
“you don’t know that Ajayi saw more 8-man fronts than Drake.
________________________________________________________
It’s easy to give Ajayi a pass, when he started we went 14-8 vs 2-7 with Drake.
the whole reason for this convo is why Miami sucked the last 9 games of the 2017 season.
to be honest i could care less about Ajayi… i’m just trying to point out what i perceive as a major problem with this team.
Drake is like a Reggie Bush, he runs well in the open, he can break off huge gains but he isn’t the Bell Cow Ajayi was and that’s what we need starting at Tailback.
There will be no bell cow RB in 2018. I’ll make a gentleman’s bet with you that he leads the team in rushing attempts (barring injury). 🙂
mf13ss says:
May 13, 2018 at 3:41 pm
For the record, I’m not trying to take sides with ANYBODY… logic tells me that it was our O-Line at fault last year.
______________________________________
Minus Brandon Marshal wasn’t our OL basically the same in 2016 as it was in 2017? and Marshall was hurt a lot in 2016 and didn’t play, the only big difference i see is the loss of Ajayi
If Rob came back with data that Ajayi faced 8 man fronts on 90% of his negative rushes and Drake faced 8 man on 10% of his negative rushes, I’d concede that point and adjust my perspective.
________________________________________
Did you watch the 2016 season? do you remember when Ajayi broke off back to back 200 yard gains and then another a few games down the road? I can’t tell you how many men were in the box trying to stop him but i can assure you opposing Ds were game planning for him and not gonna let him run all over them, so that has to tell you he faced loaded Ds.
You keep equating 2016 with 2017. They were completely different seasons. We sucked at running the ball in 2017, including with Ajayi.
Ajayi 2016 – 4.9 yds a carry
Ajayi 2017 – 3.4 yds a carry.
Ajayi busted out with 200 yds against Pitt, game 6 in 2016, are you honestly going to say that teams didn’t adjust and start stacking the box until 2017 and that is why his numbers went down? Or does it make more sense that we SUCKED running the ball in 2017?
No matter how you twist it, you have zero factual data to back up your claim that Ajayi faced stacked boxes at a significantly higher rate than Drake in 2017, which in turn debunks that he was a more effective RB in our offense than Drake was as the individual numbers support Drake as being the more effective back..
Again, I’m not trying to take sides here, but it’s a FACT that opposing Defenses began to stack the box against Ajayi in ’16.
No doubt they did. After 200 yd games against Pitt and Buff it would be silly to think teams waited until 2017 to adjust. Ergo we were not nearly as effective running the ball in 2017.
If Ballage is ready early on we could have a nice 3-headed monster backfield. Look at the WR and TE groups too, lots of options.
Keys to the offense:
1. OL just be solid.
2. Tannehill get back to where you were in 2016 and then some.
3. The skill players play up to their ability and projection.
The talent is there.
Gase said that even when we were in 3 WR teams play their base defense against us. That’s not on the backs, that’s on Landry not drawing another DB. The corners covered Stills and Parker, LB and S covered Landry. Nobody wants to hear that though. That’s why he’s not in MIA and overpaid in CLE. We got Smythe and Spence for him. I’ll take it! He was a great 2nd rd value. He’s a horribly overpaid non-elite WR.
Surely the DCs went to work after Miami made the playoffs in 2016 and said no, Ajayi is not gonna rush for 200 and Landry is not gonna bust a game open like he did against Tennessee (I think, my memory is hazy.)
So they clamped down on those 2 and Cutler’s rust and traditional apathy helped them out. Of course this started a bit in 2016, but guys like Rexxie did not believe Jay and Jarvis could do that to their base D. It’s what got Ryan fired, because anybody (like Pittsburgh in the playoffs) could see how to defense our very vanilla offense with J&J getting a huge percentage of the offensive touches in very formulaic plays.
All us fans were screaming “no don’t run that again,.” But we did because Jay demanded the ball and ran it just the way he wanted, and Jarvis was “always open” 4 yards out on 3rd and 7. Some he made, some he didn’t.
Tannehill’s strong arm and fast legs saved us, propelled us to the brink of the playoffs, but nobody wants to see it that way.
2016 was Ajayi’s breakout season and no Cutler that year. Teams covered us base then too. We have other WRs who can replace what Landry does. Nobody on this team will be targeted 160 times for 8-10 yards this year. I think we’ll be much more explosive. That’s not a knock on Landry and what he brought to the table, but see him for what he is. He never made us a dangerous offense. He’s not that kind of player.
Kong, you’re being mislead by YPC, Drake broke off big runs due to his speed that added to his yards per carry, that does not make him a better back than Ajayi, he’s a different type RB.
I don’t need to look at how many players were in the box or prove anything to you, i don’t care if you disagree with my opinion but at the end of the day if drake is our starting TB we are left with the same problems. he’s not an effective between the tackles RB IMHO
Rob,
You are again speaking in broad strokes and potentially false assumptions instead of stating facts. Ajayi broke big runs too which effected his YPC. Ajayi’s longest run last year was 71 (with Philly), he also had a 62 yd run with us in 2017, Drake’s long was 66.
So again, cutting through to the facts, do you know how many big runs Ajayi had last year vs Drake? If I am the one being misled, what are the numbers that prove what you are saying?
If by you don’t need to ‘prove anything to me’ you mean you don’t have anything factually specific to back up your statements, and all you are doing is giving your honest opinion about what you feel you saw, then no problem, I totally get that. We can cordially agree to disagree.
Cheers 🙂
Ugh…’affected his YPC’ not ‘effected’.
I need to disengage. My wife is patiently waiting for me to head out back and start the grill. I’ve enjoyed the back and forth with you, Rob.
Drake 2018
🙂
likewise
Why were there 8 in the box in 2016 with Landry, Stills and Parker on the field?
I dunno… maybe because we had a bell-cow back who ran for 4.9 YPC at a clip? But again, I can’t underscore the fact that our O-Line was MUCH better in ’16 than what it was in ’17.
Our oline and offensive scheme and playcalling were terrible in ’17. I honestly feel that everything else is just noise until that is fixed. How can you evaluate anything else when you have rushers in the backfield constantly.
because Landry was not considered a 3rd WR.
At least not one needing a 3rd CB to cover him.
Bingo!
Thanks for all the Mother’s Day wishes. It was a pretty great weekend. Spent time with both my kids, my mom, my sister and my niece. Dug in the dirt and planted flowers, took my mom out shopping, started teaching my son how to drive. The weather was beautiful. Couldn’t ask for better.
Exactly,
it is what i saw in the latter part of 2017 that has lead me to the conclusion that Drake isn’t the guy we need on 1st and 10 at RB.
I saw Drake get stuffed for no gain or negative yardage too many times, I saw a RB that runs too tall and has a high center of gravity
he’s a great back don’t get me wrong but he’s not a bread and butter back.
why i’m so adamant about this is because it affects the whole team, It affects the offense by putting them in tough down and distance, it makes the offense predictable, it ends up in a lot of 3 and outs.
3 and outs strain our defense, they are always having to be on the field and by the 4th qtr they are beat!
like it or not Drake has that domino affect on this team when he’s in there on 1st down consistently
you have to be able to pick up the consistent short yardage plays to put your offense in manageable 2nd and 3rd down situations, I watched with my own eyes that Drake does not have that ability.
you are being fooled by his flashy runs but there’s no meat and potatoes with him.
CavalierKong says:
May 13, 2018 at 9:31 pm
Our oline and offensive scheme and playcalling were terrible in ’17. I honestly feel that everything else is just noise until that is fixed. How can you evaluate anything else when you have rushers in the backfield constantly.
—————-
BOOM!!!
At the end of the day, we CANNOT evaluate Ajayi vs Drake accurately, being there were VERY different circumstances… namely, the O-Line of our ’16 campaign vs our ’17 campaign.
Rob, here are negative or not good runs by Ajayi in ONLY TWO games last season, I think the point is made pretty well that you forgive Ajayi his negative plays on first down (some were second down after passing on first) I could fill the page with a “D” type post if I keep going. This is only the first two games last season.
1-10-MIA 38 (11:24) 23-J.Ajayi left end to MIA 38 for no gain (93-D.Philon).
2-2-MIA 20 (2:49) 23-J.Ajayi up the middle to MIA 18 for -2 yards (93-D.Philon, 51-K.Emanuel).
1-10-MIA 17 (13:35) 23-J.Ajayi right tackle to MIA 15 for -2 yards (99-J.Bosa).
1-10-MIA 47 (10:52) 23-J.Ajayi left end pushed ob at MIA 46 for -1 yards (95-T.Palepoi).+
1-10-LAC 29 (12:47) (Shotgun) 23-J.Ajayi up the middle to LAC 29 for no gain (94-C.Liuget).
1-10-MIA 34 (7:13) 23-J.Ajayi right end to MIA 33 for -1 yards (37-J.Addae).
2-6-LAC 6 (4:07) (Shotgun) 23-J.Ajayi up the middle to LAC 5 for 1 yard (57-J.Brown, 26-C.Hayward).
2-7-LAC 19 (9:55) (Shotgun) 23-J.Ajayi up the middle to LAC 21 for -2 yards (57-J.Brown, 51-K.Emanuel).
1-10-LAC 41 (2:18) (Shotgun) 23-J.Ajayi right tackle to LAC 39 for 2 yards (26-C.Hayward).
1-10-MIA 46 (12:24) 23-J.Ajayi left end to MIA 44 for -2 yards (33-Ja.Adams). MIA-23-J.Ajayi was injured during the play.
2-12-MIA 20 (14:22) 23-J.Ajayi up the middle to MIA 18 for -2 yards (56-D.Davis).
2-10-MIA 25 (7:13) (No Huddle) 23-J.Ajayi right tackle to MIA 23 for -2 yards (56-D.Davis).
2-10-MIA 25 (14:54) 23-J.Ajayi up the middle to MIA 20 for -5 yards (99-S.McLendon).
1-10-MIA 15 (14:52) (Shotgun) 23-J.Ajayi left guard to MIA 15 for no gain (53-A.Klein).
You are right about needing the running back to do better on early downs so we don’t get in 3rd and long, but you are wrong that Drake was the only suspect.
1-10-NE 48 (12:52) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 23-J.Ajayi up the middle to NE 47 for 1 yard (97-A.Branch; 98-T.Flowers).
1-10-NE 34 (11:41) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 23-J.Ajayi left tackle to NE 34 for no gain (55-J.Freeny). FUMBLES (55-J.Freeny), RECOVERED by NE-98-T.Flowers at NE 32.
1-10-MIA 41 (5:08) (No Huddle) 23-J.Ajayi up the middle to MIA 41 for no gain (55-D.Shelton).
1-10-CLE 44 (9:39) 23-J.Ajayi right end to CLE 43 for 1 yard (55-D.Shelton).
1-10-MIA 36 (2:47) 23-J.Ajayi right guard to MIA 38 for 2 yards (92-P.Sims; 94-D.Peko).
first 200 yard game:
1-10-MIA 25 (5:39) 23-J.Ajayi up the middle to MIA 26 for 1 yard (56-A.Chickillo).
2-2-MIA 19 (15:00) 23-J.Ajayi right tackle to MIA 20 for 1 yard (92-J.Harrison; 79-J.Hargrave).
3-1-MIA 20 (14:19) 23-J.Ajayi left tackle to MIA 22 for 2 yards (98-V.Williams).
1-6-PIT 6 (9:49) 23-J.Ajayi right end to PIT 11 for -5 yards (92-J.Harrison).
1-10-MIA 43 (2:15) 23-J.Ajayi left tackle to MIA 43 for no gain (79-J.Hargrave).
2-1-PIT 1 (:25) 26-D.Williams up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on MIA-23-J.Ajayi, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards
1-10-MIA 25 (15:00) 23-J.Ajayi left guard to MIA 25 for no gain (91-S.Tuitt).
2-7-PIT 16 (3:41) 23-J.Ajayi left tackle to PIT 16 for no gain (91-S.Tuitt).
1-10-MIA 9 (11:01) 23-J.Ajayi left tackle to MIA 11 for 2 yards (44-T.Matakevich).
1-10- (7:09) 23-J.Ajayi right guard to MIA 49 for -1 yards (93-D.McCullers; 21-R.Golden).
ROB In AJAYI’s first 200 yard game last season he had TEN out of 25 runs that were for less that 2 yards or for a loss. The rest were “average inflating” big runs.
I can keep going for every game, but I think you get the drift. more than 40% of Ajayi’s runs went for 2 yards or less and / or a loss in 2016. YOU ARE WRONG. Just admit it and we can move on.
Ajayi’s SECOND 200 yard game:
NINE out of 26 of Ajayi’s carries went for 2 yards or less / a loss
1-10-BUF 23 (8:15) 23-J.Ajayi right tackle to BUF 24 for -1 yards (91-L.Douzable).
(11:53) 23-J.Ajayi left guard to MIA 42 for 2 yards (55-J.Hughes).
1-10-MIA 42 (11:15) 79-S.Young reported in as eligible. 23-J.Ajayi left end to MIA 44 for 2 yards (52-P.Brown; 55-J.Hughes). PENALTY on MIA-76-B.Albert, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at MIA 42 – No Play.
2-10-MIA 37 (10:37) 23-J.Ajayi up the middle to MIA 35 for -2 yards (57-L.Alexander).
2-10-MIA 37 (10:37) 23-J.Ajayi up the middle to MIA 35 for -2 yards (57-L.Alexander).
1-6-BUF 6 (1:01) 23-J.Ajayi right tackle to BUF 4 for 2 yards (28-R.Darby).
1-10-MIA 1 (12:13) 23-J.Ajayi up the middle to MIA 3 for 2 yards (55-J.Hughes; 97-C.Bryant).
1-10-MIA 36 (7:45) 23-J.Ajayi right end to MIA 36 for no gain (53-Z.Brown). PENALTY on BUF-55-J.Hughes, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at MIA 36 – No Play
1-10-BUF 49 (7:17) 23-J.Ajayi left tackle to BUF 47 for 2 yards (95-K.Williams).
2-8-BUF 47 (6:51) 79-S.Young reported in as eligible. 23-J.Ajayi right guard to BUF 46 for 1 yard (53-Z.Brown).
Ajay 3rd 200 yard game
1-10-BUF 26 (8:47) 23-J.Ajayi left tackle to BUF 27 for -1 yards (91-L.Douzable).
1-10-MIA 39 (8:48) 23-J.Ajayi right end to MIA 41 for 2 yards (57-L.Alexander).
1-10-MIA 36 (3:45) 23-J.Ajayi left tackle to MIA 38 for 2 yards (52-P.Brown).
1-10-MIA 30 (15:00) 23-J.Ajayi right guard to MIA 31 for 1 yard (53-Z.Brown, 55-J.Hughes).
1-10-MIA 40 (13:40) 23-J.Ajayi right tackle to MIA 40 for no gain (99-M.Dareus, 95-K.Williams).
2-5-MIA 30 (6:06) 23-J.Ajayi left guard to MIA 32 for 2 yards (95-K.Williams; 28-R.Darby).
2-5-MIA 30 (:35) (Shotgun) 23-J.Ajayi right guard to MIA 31 for 1 yard (99-M.Dareus).
1-5-BUF 44 (13:43) 23-J.Ajayi right tackle to BUF 44 for no gain (91-L.Douzable).
1-10-BUF 33 (12:24) 23-J.Ajayi right tackle to BUF 38 for -5 yards (91-L.Douzable).
NINE out of 32 plays went for 2 yards or less.
The MYTH OF AYAYI is a MYTH
After I take out the three 200 yard games above where about 1/3 of his runs went for 2 yards or less / a loss it is REALLY EASY the rest of the season. Like 1/2 his plays go for nothing. 8 yards, stuffed, 10 yards stuffed, stuffed 6 yards, stuffed, 4 yards, stuffed 12 yards.
if you take out his three “Great games” for the rest for the season he ran 175 times for 648 yards
3.7 yards per carry AVERAGE. he had a bunch of “big” runs in the rest of his games too.
Going back and looking at the play by play of the last two seasons revealed on GLARING problem with our 3 and outs.
Offensive false start and holding penalties killed us. SOOOO many drives ended before they started.
To be fair, there were more times than I would like where Drake had the same issue with no gain or a loss on critical downs. But not as many as Ajayi had.
where the heck is everyone this morning? Is this discussion off putting to everyone? I will stop it.
Hello!!?
HELLOOOO!??? Is there a new article up?
No Rock everyone is at work except my broken self
M13 is right you can’t compare Ajayi of 2016 to Drake of 2017 the team was just too different. However, Drake 2017 and Ajayi 2017 Drake was clearly the better back in just about every way imaginable including yards after contact. I think Drake has the ability to be special. He is a threat to break one on any play. The only question with Drake is can he be a workhorse? He was for the final 6 games last year but now he has to do it over 16. I think the addition of Ballage will help relieve him. However, I absolutely hate the addition of the addition of Gore. While still productive he has been steadily declining. He has at an age when RBs just don’t produce. I hate the idea of taking the ball out of Drake or Ballage’s hands to give it to a declining Gore. Maybe only in short yardage or goal line situations and even then I don’t know if he is the better option
Gore is here to be a leader. He’s not going to be counted on for much more than that, although if Gore is healthy, he’s a good short yardage back and more.
I don’t see Gore being happy without being the featured back
Ken – Gore is 35, I don’t think he expects to be the go to guy at all times, but I do think he’ll get a fair amount of carries, but definitely less than the 261 he had last year, maybe 150 or so
I am excited about our D this season
https://www.thephinsider.com/2018/5/13/17349582/miami-dolphins-linebackers-raekwon-mcmillan-jerome-baker-kiko-alonso
I agree that we have to wait and see if Drake can be a 20+ carry back for an entire season. There were only two games last year where he carried the ball more than 20 times.
Plus he was never that guy @ Alabama either, he was always the 2nd guy, mostly because he had minor injuries that kept him out and din’t allow him to be the guy.
Over the last six games between running and receiving he was getting around 20 touches a game.
But then again, Gase seems to be a committee guy. If you go back and look, it might be different guys, but he split the touches a lot his first two seasons.
Mike E:
If Gore gets 150 carries that is just way too many. No way do I want the ball in his hands as opposed to Drake or Ballage’s. To me that is a recipe for mediocrity. I want no more than 75 carries for Gore actually more like 50. A handful a game, nothing more
I’m not throwing out those numbers as had and fast numbers, all I’m saying is he’s going to get a fair amount of carries. He can’t be a leader if he’s just a bit player, it doesn’t usually work out well that way.
But that is exactly why I hate the signing. His talent is not at the level of Drake’s or even Ballage’s and he is going to take the ball away from them. I want the ball in the hands of the players with the most talent and not with the guys with the declining talent. Leadership is nice but at the end of the day it doesn’t trump talent
Rock I don’t care about the stats unless it confirms my agenda 🙂
LOL ok fair enough. those were not stats but rather a record of what happened. I guess you don’t care about reality unless it confirms your agenda either. LOL
😉
your avatar is killing me LOL!
Ken how is your recovery coming?
You chasing the neighbor lady yet?
Going alright. I had a rough couple of weeks at the end of radiation but I am starting to turn the corner. I am able to start eating some solid food and I am aspirating less. I still have pain and discomfort but it is getting better
Good to hear brother!
Keep on keeping on!!!!!!!
glad to hear that Ken
I just think Ajayi was/is a more forceful RB than Drake, he’s able to get the tough yards better than Drake and that’s what we need to keep us out of 2nd and 11.
that said i think Drake is great catching the ball out of the back field in open spaces, he’s at his best when matched up against a LBer in coverage, I loved it when they split him wide as a rec, no doubt the guy has wheels and will be a great player.
i just don’t think we should pound him up the middle.
Ballage seems to be a mixture of Ajayi and Drake, Gore for my money should be the guy carrying the rock on 1st down
How do you give a kicker the ICONIC #7??????????????
I’ll just leave this here!
I am excited to see what Ballage can do for us this year.
I don’t think he’s going to get a lot of carries this year unless there is an injury
So did Gesicki get 88 or 86? I have seen 10 reports contradicting each other.
He will be 88 once Caroo is cut
Piggy, I agree that unless there is an injury Ballage wont get a ton of snaps. BUT as long as he isn’t a liability he will get some touches. Last year Williams got 46 carries to Drakes 133, in 2016 Gase gave over 100 carries to other guys while Ajayi got 260
last year Williams got the starting nod over Drake but was injured, why was Gase giving more carries to Ajayi in 2016? doesn’t he know Drake is better??
I was never a fan of DeAngelo Hall, the person… but I was a HUGE fan of DeAngelo Hall, the BALLHAWK(!!!) on the gridiron.
Is there much more that can be said in the Ajayi/Drake debate? Drake is here and Ajayi is in Philly. Maybe we should focus more on who is on our team. 😉
IMO it really doesn’t matter about the past because this is a new team, particularly the RB position. These 3 have never played together before…so….who knows how they will be utilized?
Agreed and last year was a clusterfuck so I don’t even want focus on last year. I personally find it more exciting to discuss the potential on of the 2018 team. To each their own on what they want to discuss, but the Ajayi/Drake debate seems to have run its course. I could see if Ajayi was still here and the debate was about who should get more touches, but he’s not here anymore. People seem to have moved on from Landry because he’s no longer here either.
Stanger – Confirming Mike E + 2 for the Fest
Ken, I think Gore is here like Mike said to set an example for the young backs and to share some of the workload. I can see him being in the game in crucial situations because he’s seen everything. But throughout the flow of a game, I think Drake will get more touches. We’ll see how much playing time Ballage earns.
Again in crucial situations I want the guy with the most talent out there. I just don’t like the Gore signing
If he’s productive I’m okay with him in there.
I think whomever plays, they will continue to play like they have the past two years, a series at a time. Gase as shown (and said in interviews) that he likes to keep his backs in for the entire series rather than situational backs.
Yep, the entire personnel group. Sure there might be some instances where that changes at times, but he did say that.
I hope Gore is the shit and the reason we win 10-12 games this year.
I hope Drake is the shit and the reason we win 10-12 games this year.
I hope Ballage is the shit and the reason we win 10-12 games this year.
I hope we win the other 3 games without them. 😉
Don’t be silly Rock
We are going to win 14 Games
Piggy,
I think that is what Rock is saying with the last statement…I could be mistaken though.
If we win 10-12 games WITH them…say 11…and then win 3 games WITHOUT them, that would be 14.
Personally I like the Gore signing
He’s one of the few aging vets that I think has a chance to be a real impact at RB
And it didn’t stop us from drafting a RB
Just let all 3 of them battle in camp
Maybe you use all 3
Maybe just 2
Maybe primarily 1
I don’t really think having 3 options has any negative aspects
I would have rather had a low price Gore than a high priced Anderson.
Anderson signed with the Panthers for only $1.75M. But I’m okay with Gore too.
Piggy, if you add the three games those guys don’t help us win (but we still do) to the 11 games we win that is 14.
LOL,
I just said the same thing above
I didn’t factor in extra math
understandable. I had to learn the “new math”
just kidding, I don’t know the “new math” I was amazed to discover that there was such a thing.
Titans W
@Jets W
Raiders W
@Pats L
@Bengals W
Bears W
Lions W
@Texans L
Jets W
@Packers L
7-3 at the bye
@Colts L
Bill W
Pats W
@Vikings L
Jaguars (A critical playoff contention game at home, overtime) W
@Bills W
11-5 2nd in the AFCE wild card
Why do you have us losing in the raid to the colts and he Texans?
He has something else to do on those days so no point in watching. LOL
16-0
we don’t travel well this year for some reason. Our home advantage starts to show it self this year and it just works out that we lose more away games.
my gut told me that we lose the Bengals game too, but I changed it.
My gut yesterday told me that I still have occasional bouts of lactose intolerance
I have regular bouts….
Too much pizza or cheese in general usually does me in. Oddly enough, milk itself does not.
That’s my complete opposite. I can eat a good bit of cheese, but absolutely no milk, ice cream, etc
in another statistically oddity every team we play this year loses their next game.
statistical oddity
Except for the 2nd bills game because they miss the playoffs and don’t have another game to lose
BTW how did the boring Lions game win? The Jet’s game tied in the vote….
bc when we decided the Lions game was 1st
We just never closed the poll
Rock – How many times did you vote for the Jets?
LOL 5 times
but I only voted twice before the date was picked!
LOL @ Rock
I cheated but I didn’t cheat THAT much! LOL
Yeah, just a little, you’re just shy of half the votes. 🙂
Do the Phins have OTAs today?
May 22nd
Oh I thought Gase said after the rookie symposium this weekend that it was to get them more prepared for Monday when the vets report.
The Dolphins will hold their first OTA from May 22-24, their second from May 29-31, and their final one from June 11-14. The mandatory minicamp will be June 5-7.
Waned to stop in and tell everyone thanks for the well wishes and condolences . I really appreciate them. That’s a tough thing to go through but i definitely see the importance of all the stages preparing for the funeral and memorial service, etc as it helps kind of step you toward some sort of closure on everything I feel at peace with somethings now though i know the hard times aren’t over. I really miss my dad, but as i said before it is comforting knowing that his fight is over and he is at rest. Again, thank you to everyone for your statements, i really appreciate all of them.
+++++ vibes to you D
Good to see ya man – Heal up emotionally, but as I’ve found out, time is the best healer of all. Best wishes to you and your family.
Not a real religious guy, but you’ll never be without him D….he helped make you who you are. When stuff comes up still hear my Dad’s voice in my head.
Tim – That’s all right at the top of this article. 🙂
I know all reports say the same thing. I was going by what Gase said, he made it seem like Monday is when the rookies join the vets in OTAs. That’s why I was asking.
Not sure
Happy Birthday #21 Frank Gore!
Congratulations on being eligible for Social Security benefits
Only in NFL years Ken
D, it’s a sad and emotional time. I’m glad you found some closure and peace. Time helps you heal but we will always miss our loved ones. All the best to you and your family.
Good to see you D keep hanging tough my man
Anyone have an opinion on how they think Drake will do to start a season compared to Ajayi?
LMAO!!!
Hmmm…Haven’t given it much thought. Let me get back to you.
We’ll start in a six wide set from our own two
Ballage will hike to himself
and throw deep to Grant, TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS!!!
GOFINS!!!
S O S O S my Tin Fin Brother
WADDUP SON ??
Not sure how much Wildcat we’ll run but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it a few times throughout the course of a season.
30 via the newly distributible 200 plus plays to be shared in o18, (fifty additional plays due to actually sustaining drives), & 161 from Ummmm elsewhere..
GOFINS!!!
Dick
So the Supreme Court said today that states can get into sports betting. Who wouldn’t want to buy a lotto ticket based on the results of a week’s NFL games rather than what ping pong balls pop into a tube?
It always comes back to personal responsibility, but as a society I think it’s going to create more social problems via desperation when more people are in the red.
Gambling is a vice, just like drugs, alcohol and smoking……but legal or not they are there. How with a straight face can the government say no sports bets when they sell and profit off lotto tickets? And take a percentage out of what my local casino makes? And btw that casino is called Hard Rock.
Understood, but now there will be more gambling vice. Not protesting it, just think it will create more desperation.
I don’t think I wiped good enough.
D,
My condolences. I lost my dad last Summer. It was the hardest thing i’ve ever dealt with. Take time for yourself…and your family.
Sorry to hear that, Randy.
Tim,
Thanks. It’s become part of my life now that i’m in my 50s. I’m sure lots of us here are going thru it because a lot of us are about the same age, and I know you have too. I’m starting to lose family and friends on a frequent basis. It sucks, but it’s life!
Yep!
Sure miss Ajayi….what a great guy. Can’t believe Gase traded him.
huh,
http://www.phinmaniacs.com/news/former-dolphins-running-back-jay-ajayi-in-legal-hot-water
I think Drake is a better RB, but Ajayi is a better power house wrecker.
▪ Loggains said of rookie running back Kelan Bellage: “When he walks through the door, that’s what they’re supposed to look like. He’s big, he’s put together and he’s a really smart kid. We’re excited about trying to tap him out. He’s got size, he’s got height, weight, speed. We’ve got to figure out what he does well and find out quickly… Because of his size and speed and the ability to catch the ball, he can play all three downs.”
With Kenyan Drake, Frank Gore and Bellage, Loggains said “we’re really excited about that room and the things these guys can do…. If you had three Kenyan Drakes, you’d be really excited because he’s a guy that can play all three downs. ”
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article211033674.html
Except Drake can’t run over a pillow on 1st down. LOL
Oh snap, Loggains’s mentioned Drake first. 🙂
I’m thinking than in honor of him and his homecoming,
Gore will get the week one start (if only in tribute)…
Probably a fairly split workload for the season…
I think that the OL has FINALLY BEEN FIXED with
Sitton, a practicing everyday Center in Kilgore,
and Larsen from week one, or Davis, or who ever from week one at RG!!!
Maybe both RB’s go for a grand via Csonka & The Merc??
Gore’s no stranger to 1000 !!!
Drake coulda easily got 1000 in 16 games
(at half of his 5 game closing pace)…
C’MON AUG/SEPT!!!
GOFINS!!!
I mean, I found myself cursing Pouncey bunch in o17,
seemed like he was the culprit for many a nice gain being negated…
He had to be one of our most if not the most penalized OL??
Was regularly getting steamrolled via large DT’s,
Probably cuz he never practiced vs a Suh!!!
He tried to beat DL via a kitchen sink of class work,
Shoot I think he even got penalized a few times
for throwing his playbook binder at a 330 DL
with zero to no effect…
Consistent Reliability from LT to RT should make for HUGE IMPROVEMENTS!!!
Sitton 3 of last 4 PB’s, Pouncey/Bushrod had 4 total,
and none come lately!!!
Sitton/Kilgore totals one fewer years of age to Pouncey/Bushrod!!!
GOFINS!!!
oh no! we are doomed!
http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/12/27/dolphins-g-isaac-asiata-sits-all-year-vows-im-not-doing-this-again/
I hope this kid has worked hard this year and makes something of himself.
If Drake has 1,500 yards combined Rush/Rec will you be surprised? I won’t.
Lol @ Ajayi. All class…..maybe just maybe he was a brat in the locker room? What do ya think? Maybe Gase didn’t want 5yr olds throwing tantrums anymore…..
This guy owes me a half beer
Why are we still talking about Ajayi? Did we resign him?
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ajayi is the Eagles problem. Gase moved on. Drake, Gore and the 4th rd rookie Ballage are our new backfield. Williams is gone too. Perry might be the 4th back competing with Radcliff and Howell. Let that play out.
Randy
Do you think our OL is improved?
Tim Knight says:
May 14, 2018 at 9:34 pm (Edit)
If Drake has 1,500 yards combined Rush/Rec will you be surprised? I won’t.
Reply
****
Well he looks like the front runner to be the -# 1 RB
If that happens and he stays healthy for the majority of the season, I expect good numbers from him.
But I still don’t know how Gass is going to use the trio of backs he has
Last year we relied heavily on Ajayi early
I don’t think they will draft that with drake or whomever this the #1
If he’s healthy and he doesn’t have numbers like that it’s only bc some one else did
Keeping them all healthy and fresh. That’s what Gase wants….interchangeable parts. Nothing changes no matter the players on the field.
Wyoming,
I gotta see it on the field. I liked the signings, but I still need to see them do it. I think we have a good chance to be okay if everyone stays healthy. RG is still a ? for me. I don’t really like anybody we have slotted there, but I do think Larsen is better suited to play RG if that’s how they go.
^^^
I’m gonna be cautiously optimistic. I can see us being an improved running team at the least.
Reps and snaps usually work themselves out in practice. I’d expect to see a RB rotation with Gore and Drake to start the season. They’ll figure out roles for everybody in practice and then adjust depending on game situations. If the rookie proves himself in practice, throw him a few bones in games and see what he can do.
***
Run Gore until his feet fall off if he’s getting it done because his window is small, and it extends Drake’s. I’d prefer Drake be around 15-17 carries a game.
Albert Wilson
Wide receiver Albert Wilson posted the highest average yards of separation at pass arrival during the regular season with 4.1 yards compared to the league average of 2.7. He also had a 75% catch rate when targeted from the wide alignment in the regular season.
Cant wait to see this speedster in action
good to have goals
ElephantRider says:
May 14, 2018 at 1:47 pm
16-0
—————————————–
That’s 19-0 thank you!
I sure hope this Defense improves, last year we were 26th in sacks…28th in interceptions…28th in pass defense…our run D had 431 rushing attempts against us that resulted in 6-10.
do you see why rushing attempts are a critical stat?
No, can you show me some more Ajayi stats so I can see it? 😉
Dick
No, but I can see why they needed to improve the defense.
The higher the rushing attempts the better the record, teams avg’d 26.1 rushing attempts against us, we avg’d 19 rushing attempts against them.
we need to turn that stat around
Wake and Quinn on the edges, Baker and Anthony as LBers, howard and tank on the corners mcain in the slot, fitz and jones the safties on passing downs
Burke needs to step up!
I’ll tell you what’s sad about Ajayi, all you guys throwing him under the bus for this miniscule shit without knowing what really happened. two sides to every story.
what constitutes a party?
not trying to defend Ajayis actions but i’m certainly not going to bash him for something i know nothing about.
even if he’s in the wrong it’s not the end of the world, did he beat a woman? did he murder someone? he had a party LOL!
I get it sour grapes, he’s no longer with the team so the some feel the need to get revenge, I bet if he was still with the team the posts here would be a lot different.
Rob – No need to call Ajayi a dick. Like you said, we don’t even know if he really did anything.
🙂
LOL, wheew for a minute, thought I was being referred to as Richard (way up yonder)…
JusTalkin, GOFINS!!!