Lots of exciting news in these first days of free agency. The check book is out and upgrades are being made.

However, with Reggie Bush out the door (and they didn't appear to make any effort to keep him), I think about something that I've heard little about.

Who will run the ball?

Yes we have running backs on the roster. But none supplanted Bush last season.

Is our plan free agency (no action there yet), the draft (would we use our early picks for RB?), or do we go with what we have?

Just throwing it out there.

Lamar Miller.

Lamar Miller easily

Lamar Miller.

Motion carries.

Meeting adjourned.


I think our running game will benefit greatly from a much improved passing attack. They will have to respect Tannehill a little more and back off that line a bit. Hello big hole running lane 10-yard-gain and first-down Lamar Miller!

you know without saying it.. I've been thinking the same thing...

I have very little faith in our running game... some of that was poor play on the o-line but thomas is often hurt and seldom gets it done when healthy..
so we got -


Gray, Jonas I don't think he took a snap all of 2012 right?
Miller, Lamar - 51 250 19.2 4.9 Is reported to have a great shot as the starter
Thigpen, Marcus -more of a return man I think
Thomas, Daniel 91 325 27.1 3.6 I don't know about anyone else but I've lost faith in this kid.. he is always recovering from something...

so to me Lamar Miller would be the starter right now.. is that about right? how do you feel about that...? I don't think that would kill me.. I just wish we had a better look at him and well I still think he needs a more stable backup.. if he is the starter..

Better question is what backup do we draft? Gio Bernard, Kniles Davis, Mike Gilleslie, Marcus Lattimore, the running back from Texas A&M Michael? Leveon Bell? Many options so i ask who do we want from this group behind Lamar?

Is he ready for that role? His statistics last year weren't exactly "gaudy"

Rushing Statistics
Player Att Yds Yds/Att Long TD
Reggie Bush 227 986 4.3 65 6
Daniel Thomas 91 325 3.6 20 4
Lamar Miller 51 250 4.9 28 1
Ryan Tannehill 49 211 4.3 31 2

Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas, Javorski Lane, Marcus Thigpen, and maybe Jonas Gray if they decide to call him up from the practice squad.

If the Dolphins want to add another runningback guys like Ahmad Bradshaw, Michael Turner, and Peyton Hillis are still available.

His yards per carry is.

ya they are! but he did only touch the ball like 51 times..

I'm not saying he should not get a shot. just saying he does not leave a warm fuzzy feeling either..

I hope he LIGHTS IT UP!

All you have to do is turn on the film on Miller and see how he ran compared to Bush and especially Daniel Thomas.

Out of the three, Miller is the better pure runner. He is a one move and go type guy, fits perfectly with the zone blocking scheme Miami will use. Bush had his share of longer runs, but he had his share of losses with his dancing.

Miller is also a 4.4 guy with a nice body of work in college.

He'll be more than fine if we get some blocking up front.

Most RB's now start from day 1 and Lamar was able to sit and learn because of Bush. Miller is ready so all we need a late round pick but honestly if healthy watch out for Jonas Gray!!

RB's are found in the later rounds ever year... the only team paying a premium for a RB these days is the Panthers, who foolishly have 60 mill wrapped up in two underachieving backs.

Wouldn't be surprised to see miami draft a guy as an insurance policy... but it won't be early on in the draft.

Philbin is running the same system he ran in GB. They are not very dependent on the running game. I think signing a TE is more important that a RB.
The increased passing threat should make it easier for whoever runs to do well.

He was really only used in situational times aside from a couple games, so I just pulled the games he had 5 or more carries.

10 carries, 65 yards - 6.5 avg 1 TD (Oak)
9 carries, 48 yards - 5.3 avg 0 TD (NYJ)
6 carries, 18 yards - 3.0 avg 0 TD (Jax)
10 carries, 73 yards - 7.3 avg 0 TD (Buff)
5 carries, 13 yards - 2.6 avg 0 TD (NE)

Im not buying my Miller Jersey yet, but his numbers make me feel like he can be the guy if given the opportunity... And obviously if they get the o-line solidified

I am a fellow U guy so we all know what this kid is capable of, just need to see it in the NFL now....

I'm hoping my boy Jonas Gray (ND) is healthy to compete.

GB's system also featured Aaron Rodgers and the best WR core in the league.

Been reading for awhile that they liked Miller.
Happy to have him take the lead, but I'd expect an upgrade over Thomas either later in FA or about the 4th or 5th round of the draft

Yep, I agree. I've been saying I won't be surprised to see them take a RB in the 5th or 6th, even if they do bring in a vet to provide depth and/or supplant Thomas.

I will.....

When they won the championship they were 24th in the league running the ball... I sure hope that is not the "plan" here

You don't want to win the championship???

With Dan Henning, the plan was to run up the middle on third and long. Glad that is over.

The Dolphins are on their way to building an outstanding group of WRs. Let see how the draft goes.

LOL I meant planning on being a bad run team and put every game on RT's shoulders..

Who said anything about planning to run badly? The packers run the ball great, mostly because teams fear their passing attack. Sure, the Dolphins passing game is not to be as feared as GB, but definitely more potent than last year. I don't expect Miller to have 35 carries, but when he does run, there should be more room now. Less running doesn't mean poor running.

Id be happy if they were 32nd in rushing, passing and defense and won the Super Bowl.
In this copycat league, if they did that twice, other teams would try to replicate it

It looks like we are setting things up to be a pass to open up the run team. From what I have seen I think Mr. Miller can carry the load. I could be wrong but I don't think we are looking for a 1 - 1.5 thousand yd rusher to carry the offense.