BY ADAM H. BEASLEY
abeasley@miamiherald.com

Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said the decision to start Lamar Miller over Daniel Thomas in Sunday’s season opener was “the starting point, really,” and that both backs had a strong preseason.

“I think they’ve improved, both of them, and we definitely need those guys to perform well for us,” Philbin added. “I think [Miller] played well. I think he caught the ball well, ran the ball well. I thought Daniel did as well. It’s very, very close.”

...

very close? who the hell is evaluating RBs there?

very close? who the hell is evaluating RBs there?

Miller averaged 4.6 ypc, Thomas 2.7.

It wasn't close.

So Thomas had better receiving numbers and is better at picking up the blitz, then he should be our third down back...

Miller should be the workhorse.

Miller averaged 4.6 ypc, Thomas 2.7.

It wasn't close.

The best way to protect Tannehill is a couple of nice short passes to Miller on some quick hitters and screens. Once he burns the defense, RT won't be seeing too many blitzing LBs and safeties. Put the fear of the big play in the DCs mind and the game is over.

Offensive coordinator Mike Sherman said it’s vital for the Dolphins to be able to run the ball in the red zone (the area inside the opponents’ 20-yard line).

“We have to be able to run the ball better in the red zone because people really defend the pass pretty well,” Sherman said. “There’s just so many defenders up there in the short areas. They just make it impossible to throw some times.”

Sherman, who would likely rely largely on running back Daniel Thomas instead of Lamar Miller close to the goalline, also said he needs to do a better job calling plays.

“A couple of games ago I thought it could have been a better job calling some runs down there,” he said.

Pro Football Focus charted Thomas with zero broken tackles in 19 exhibition game rushing attempts, and PFF also gave Miller higher marks in pass protection.

For high numbers, Thomas had 2 decent games with an avg of 4.8 and 6.3. Miller had 2 good games with a 10.5 and 4.4. The 10.5 came on 2 carries vs Dal.

Miller's lows were better tho, 2 games he avg 3.0 and 2.0 where Thomas's lows were 0.4 and 1.3..

Thomas had 4 rec for 40 yards, inflated by 1 big catch vs Hou, Miller had 4 rec for 11 yards.

All purpose yards, Thomas had a better pre season if we are just looking at the final stats...

Its not as black n white as we think, coaches look at everything. Thomas made a case for himself..

A shame tho really, as I said before I expect he will be hurt soon...