Drake trying to earn, maintain staff ’s trust Kearse says end Thursday games
DAVIE Miami Dolphins tailback Kenyan Drake is patiently waiting for his first NFL start of this season.
Drake, who started one game early last season, knows it will eventually come in the post-Jay Ajayi era. But the Dolphins’ 2016 third-round pick realizes he has to earn it, gaining and then maintaining the coaching staff ’s confidence.
“People can look at my stats and say that was a decent game,” Drake said, referring to the 69 rushing yards he gained on nine carries, which included a 42-yard run — longest of the season for the Dolphins. “But I’m not satisfied.”
Drake will quickly point out the fumble he lost — which was the first of his young NFL career and the second the Dolphins lost this season — contributed to Miami’s 27-24 loss to Oakland last weekend.
His goal during the second half of this season is to become more efficient on his runs, improve his 4.9 yards per carry average and clean up the rest of his overall game.
“It’s a long game, so I can’t try to make too many plays too early. I have to take the plays as they come,” said Drake, who also caught six passes for 35 yards against the Raiders. “It’s about not wanting to hit the home run every time. I’ve just got to realize not every play is going to be a home run.”
Even though the Dolphins intend to split the tailback workload between two backs the rest of this season, it is possible that Drake might handle most of the carries against the Panthers because Damien Williams continues to be held out of practice because of an illness.
Coach Adam Gase isn’t concerned about Williams missing Monday night’s game, but it’s possible they’ll have to monitor Williams’ hydration levels and his workload. Williams, who has gained 46 rushing yards on 19 carries and produced 97 yards on 14 receptions, started last week’s game and serves as Miami’s third-down and red-zone back.
The Dolphins are confident Drake can handle the extra work if need be.
“The majority of the things he did this last game was what we were looking for,” Gase said. “He’s going to be learning through the rest of the season. He has to stay on the track he’s on right now.”
Offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen hinted that Miami plans to get Senorise Perry a few offensive snaps this week, even if Williams does play.
“It’s hard to make it through a whole season without one of those guys having a hiccup or two,” Christensen said. “We have to have him ready to go also.”
Perry, who gained 1,409 yards and scored 18 touchdowns during his career at Louisville, spent 11 games on Miami’s practice squad last season and primarily plays on special teams.
Jets wide receiver Jermaine Kearse says the NFL should get rid of Thursday night games because they are detrimental to players’ health.
Kearse was asked about the short weeks after he watched former Seahawks teammate Richard Sherman suffer a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in Seattle’s win over the Cardinals on Thursday.
The veteran receiver said Friday that he can’t speak for all players, but he thinks Thursday games aren’t helpful because of the short recovery time after playing on Sunday. Kearse said if players get banged up Sunday, they often aren’t ready to play until the following Saturday.
Kearse said the NFL Players Association needs to address the issue during its next discussions with the league.
On his radio show, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones clarified his objection to a contract extension for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, saying it’s not because of star running back Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension over alleged domestic violence.
Jones said he wants all 32 owners to have a chance to approve the deal being negotiated between Goodell and the compensation committee that includes six owners. Jones is not on the committee.
The NFL has said owners already voted unanimously to extend Goodell’s contract and authorized the committee to work out the deal. Jones said circumstances have changed since that May vote, including the escalation of the protests over social injustice that have involved anthem. the national
Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green was fined $42,541 by the NFL for fighting with Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey last Sunday.
Green grabbed Ramsey around the neck from behind and took him to the turf while throwing punches at him late in the first half of the Jaguars’ 23-7 victory. Both Green and Ramsey were ejected from the game, but Ramsey was not fined by the league.
Green was docked $30,387 for fighting and $12,154 for unsportsmanlike conduct. He told reporters that he would not appeal the fines.
Several players from both sides came onto the field from the sidelines during the skirmish, but no one else was fined.
Redskins CB Josh Norman is donating $50,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs in Puerto Rico and wants to convince other athletes, celebrities, corporations and foundations to donate another $200,000. Norman has already secured clothing donations from Adidas . ... Jets RB Matt Forte will sit out against the Buccaneers because of his ailing knee. ... The Cardinals placed OT D.J. Humphries (MCL, kneecap), S Tyvon Branch (cartilage surgery) and TE Ifeanyi Momah (broken leg) on season-ending injured reserve . ... Bills OT Cordy Glenn (foot, ankle) and WR Zay Jones (ankle) will miss Sunday’s game against the Saints after not practicing the entire week . ... The Lions released injured OT Greg Robinson, who started the first six games before hurting his ankle.