What happened to the Dolphins running game?

Oct. 16 News and Notes 6 comments ---Bill

Opponents Schemes – Opponents are now scheming against the Dolphins rushing attack. The Bengals and Rams both stacked the box, bringing their safety up (even in nickel packages) to stop the run.  Teams are daring Ryan Tannehill to beat them. Thankfully, Tannehill has been up to the task, since the Dolphins won their last 2 games. Mike Sherman said on Monday that opponents were bringing an extra run stuffer into the box ‘almost 100% of the time’, even in substitute packages (nickel and dime)

The problem is that the Dolphins have 6 or 7 guys lined up to block 8 defenders on running plays.  Jake Long and the boys are good, but they aren’t good enough to block 2 defenders at the same time.  The only way to keep opponents from stacking the box is to make them pay through the air. I think more playaction passes will help open things up. On good playaction plays, the defenders creep up to the line of scrimmage to stop the run, which opens up holes in the defensive backend.  The more success that Ryan Tannehill and the passing offense has, the better the Dolphins will be able to run the ball.

I think the Dolphins running game will get back on track, hopefully next week against the Jets. The Dolphins were outrushed 162 to 19 against the Rams but still managed to win the game. BUT, that’s not going to happen very often. I’m sure the Dolphins coaching staff will study ways to improve the rushing attack during the bye week.

Don’t forget to stop by later this week, as we have an exclusive interview with Jake Long’s wife, Jackie.  Jackie was nice enough to share some insights into what Jake is like off of the football field. 

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  • Brewbear

    Trouble is coaches are slow to make a change.We just picked up Gaffney 2 weeks ago and he should of been used to open up the passing game wich would also prevent a defense from using a 7 or 8 man front.
    I know people are going to say he has not learned the play book yet but after all the years he has played pro ball. they could of give him a half dozen plays or so to help out.He is by far the best WR on our team.

    • Timmyfin

      i agree, they could’ve given him a set number of plays, but i dont think hes the best receiver on the team, i htink we’ll see him after the bye week

  • Miami Jules

    There’s something about Bush I have been noticing since last year… when he does that hessitation dance of his and what I also call, a case of happy feet, he either gets stop for no gain or loses yards… when he hits the line or hole at full speed, he gets results. For some unknown reason the coaching staff decided to leave Miller alone.

    We won, so I’m not about to start complaining but, I would’ve felt better if I had seen the above mentioned situation corrected.

    • Joe

      miller will be the key 2 our running game if the coaches wake up!!!! just look t the game aginst the raiders where miller wuz involved for more than one are 2 plays!!!! result wuz a 26yrd TD and over 50yrds on just 5-10 carries!!! not exactly sure on the numbers but i think im close, piont is yes we proved that ryan tannehill can play but we don’t have the WR’s for him 2 carry this team all year by himself also if you give miller a chance he will produce!!! I think he’s going to be better than bush!!! ( not taking aything away from reggie bcause he doe a hell of job for us )

  • GADOLFAN013

    I think teams are crowding the LOS a lot more recently, the quick holes aren’t there anymore hence bush’s “dancing”, we need to mix it up and throw more successfully, and downfield on early downs to open up the running game.

  • gofins72

    That stuffing the box with 9-10 and even 11 players will end when we get a speedy deep threat. Then, everything will open up and we will have a good offense. You see it real well in person, at the games. It looks as if there’s no free safety sometimes, just daring you to throw it. BUT, the receiver has to be fast enough to get down field before the pass rush gets to Tanny. That’s the problem.