Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Dolphins getting ready for Week 1
Running back plans to see barber before he starts ‘grinding’ against the Ravens
DAVIE — Standout Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard saw a group of media members interviewing running back Kenyan Drake at his locker, and took advantage of the opportunity to yell out a joke about his teammate.
“Drake needs a barber,” Howard said as he laughed and went back toward his own locker, eating a post-practice meal of fried rice on Wednesday.
Drake acknowledged he needs a haircut.
He plans to get one before the regular-season opener Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium.
Until the barber’s clippers touch his Afro, Drake is using his hair as motivation heading into his fourth NFL season.
“When I look in the mirror, it reminds me I’m grinding,” Drake said. “It’s my money season.”
Drake — who will make $2 million in base salary this season — is healthy, engaged and ready for Week 1, where he can begin his pursuit for his first big NFL payday.
He is in the final season of his rookie contract with the Dolphins (a four-year, $3.3 million deal).
And he hopes to use his performance on the field this season to convince Miami — or another NFL team — that he’s worth a lucrative, long-term contract.
“I want to continue to help this team win games, whether it’s special teams, catching the ball, running the ball — whatever,” said Drake, who has scored 16 touchdowns in 48 games with Miami since being the Dolphins’ third-round draft pick out of Alabama in 2016.
Drake, however, will have to fend off a loaded, talented and youthful group of running backs also on the Dolphins roster to prove his worth.
While Drake is listed on the first team of the depth chart, second-year running back Kalen Ballage could also see plenty of action with the first-team offense against the Ravens.
Ballage took first-team reps with the offense throughout training camp and the preseason, even before Drake sustained a right foot injury during the second week of the preseason against Tampa Bay.
Former University of Miami standout Mark Walton is listed third, while rookies Patrick Laird and Myles Gaskin fill out the position on the team’s depth chart. Fullback Chandler Cox could also be available in the Dolphins backfield.
Drake simply said “yeah, I’m good,” when asked if he was fully recovered from the injury that ultimately limited him to just one offensive drive during the preseason.
“I think he’s both physically and mentally ready,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said of Drake on Wednesday.
“This is a guy who has as much talent as anyone on our team. He’s fast. He’s physical. He’s explosive. He makes a lot of plays. And we’re looking forward to getting him a lot of touches this week.”
Despite how it all unfolds, Drake plans to make the best of his opportunities.
“I’m just making sure I make the most of those touches and opportunities,” Drake said. “What I’ve learned mostly from being in this league it’s not necessarily what you do when you’ve got the ball in your hands, but there’s another 50 or so times when you don’t have the ball in your hands and you have to make plays in general.
“It’s all about really going out there and making the most of the opportunities when you’re on the field to help this team win games.”