Razor- thin backfield asked to do more
MIAMI GARDENS — One area where the Miami Dolphins have exhibited a stark change in philosophy during their five- game winning streak is in the running game and the sheer abundance of times attempting to run.
The Dolphins have shown a commitment to the run, averaging 28 carries a game in the past five outings. That’s up significantly from instances during the seven- game losing streak where they ran 16 times against the Indianapolis Colts or just nine times against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — both games where backup Jacoby Brissett was at quarterback.
Although the greater number of attempts haven’t led to an uptick in yards per carry — the Dolphins still rank second- to- last in yards per attempt at 3.3 — Miami has found greater balance in its offense.
And it appears, even as three running backs landed on the reserve/ COVID- 19 list in a matter of four days from Friday to Monday, the team wants to maintain that consistency.
“That’s always our plan,” said co- offensive coordinator and running backs coach Eric Studesville. “Our plan is to be a balanced attack. We want to make sure we have a commitment to the run game in every game plan. Some game plans are different than others, and some games go different than others. But our intention is to always have the run game be an integral part of our game plan.”
Added offensive play- caller George Godsey: “We’d like to be balanced and get a little more efficiency on normal downs in the run game, but it’s kind of lending toward our team’s identity. We play good defense, move the chains, control field position, win time of possession, and running the ball helps with all that. But if it’s not working and we need to find another avenue by throwing the ball, that’s what we’ll do.”
Studesville obviously works closely with the running backs on the COVID list. He wore a mask to his Tuesday media availability session, although he is not required to. He said he is feeling fine and has been testing negative. Studesville added that Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed and Phillip Lindsay are “at different stages” with their symptoms but would not delve into specifics.
While it’s possible all three will be unavailable against the New York Jets ( 3- 10) on Sunday, the team is hopeful Malcolm Brown can return from his quadriceps injury suffered on Oct. 24 against the Atlanta Falcons. Brown ran for 125 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries before the injury.
“I think Malcolm gave us some things,” Studesville said. “He’s a competitive person. He’s really smart. He does a great job getting to know everything. Tremendous work ethic.”
The last time the Dolphins ( 6- 7) played the Jets, Duke Johnson was elevated off the team’s practice squad. This week, he’s up again as a COVID- 19 replacement, which means the Dolphins can play him without having to use the second elevation available to the team without signing him to the active roster.
“Duke, he’s an aggressive runner,” Studesville said. “I think he’s got vision, and he slams it up in there. I think he can find run lanes.”
Added Godsey: “He’s a pro, so he’s going to be ready to go.”
The other option on the practice squad is rookie seventh- round pick Gerrid Doaks, who has yet to make his NFL regular- season debut. He did score two touchdowns in Miami’s preseason finale at the
Cincinnati Bengals.
“Gerrid’s continuing to develop,” Studesville said. “That’s that role on the practice squad. He’s here. He’s been with us. He’s been working. He’s one of those players that the opportunity is going to present itself. If that’s what it is, then he’s got to be ready for it. He’s working for that. He wants that opportunity. I know that. If it presents itself, he’s got to be prepared and be ready for it.”
The Dolphins also signed running back Dexter Williams to their practice squad on Monday after working out several free- agent backs, including former Dolphin Lamar Miller. Williams, over the past two seasons with the Green
Bay Packers, had seven rushes for 19 yards.
“I remember Dexter when he came out at the combine,” said Studesville of the Notre Dame product. “I just think he plays with good effort. I think he’s a smart guy. I think he’s got vision. I don’t know a lot more about him than what we did in the workout, which isn’t really playing football, so it’s meeting in the classroom with him, spending time with him, getting him on the practice field. That’s when we’ll find out, really, how much he would be able to handle if that role came available.”
Any potential activation of Gaskin, Ahmed or Lindsay — or rookie safety Jevon Holland, who was also placed on the COVID list Monday — would have to occur by Saturday afternoon. They must present two negative tests more than 24 hours apart by then to be available in Sunday’s game.
Even then, would the coaching staff feel comfortable playing someone activated the day before the game without practicing all week? The Dolphins already held offensive lineman Austin Jackson from starting the opener at New England even though he became available from his COVID stint before that game.
“I’ve never had that happen, so I don’t know what my comfort level or discomfort level would be,” Studesville said.