Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Drake all for call to action
Gase: ‘We just have to find ways to get him the ball’
Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase prefers running backs Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore to have an equal amount of carries each game.
But based on how their workload has unfolded in recent weeks, the Dolphins are using them to the best of their abilities to try and spark a struggling offense.
Gore rushed for a season-high 20 carries in Sunday’s 13-6 win over the New York Jets, while Drake has slowly ascended to become the Dolphins’ second-leading receiver, heading into Sunday’s game at Green Bay (4:25 p.m., CBS).
Still, Gase wants to get Drake more opportunities in the run game after getting just three carries against the Jets, marking the fifth time in nine games he had less than six carries in a game this season.
“We just have to find ways to get him the ball,” Gase said.
Drake would welcome more opportunities in whatever capacity is needed.
“I play football -- it’s not my job to design the plays. Whatever [Gase] does to get the playmakers the ball, that’s up to him. That’s not my job.
“I just make the most of my opportunities when I get it.”
Drake began the season vying to become the Dolphins’ feature running back, but Gase believed utilizing Gore on early downs would put the team in a better position for making third downs more manageable.
In turn, Drake’s versatility has been a key component for the offense, which has lost explosive receiver Albert Wilson for the season due to a hip injury.
While Drake has three rushing touchdowns, including a 54-yard run against Detroit in Week 6, he has 31 receptions for 223 yards with two touchdowns as a receiver.
Drake’s reception total trails only Danny Amendola (40), but his yardage is fifth on the team behind Wilson (391), Amendola (384), Kenny Stills (300) and Jakeem Grant (268).
“It’s really about getting the ball in his hands,” Gase said of Drake.
“It seems like lately, I’m getting the check made, I’m calling plays for him and then they’re running the right coverage to not allow him to get the ball. We just have to keep finding ways to get it in his hands, whether it’s running the ball, getting it quick, down the field.”
Gore, at 35 years old and in his 14th season, continues to be a steady option for the Dolphins.
While Drake is averaging 4.8 yards per carry, his average is boasted by his long touchdown against the Lions.
Without factoring in that run, Gore’s 4.2 yards per carry are slightly higher than Drake’s 4.1.
Still, Gore’s pedigree cannot be denied.
Gore is the fourth alltime leading rusher in NFL history, behind Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. And since 2015, only Todd Gurley and LeSean McCoy have rushed for more yards than Gore.
“It’s kind of sick to think about this, but we were together 10 years ago and he just looks the same to me,” Gase said of Gore during their brief time together in San Francisco in 2008.
“Just the way he works, during a game, just everything he does, it just doesn’t look any different to me. I know when you’re 35 years old, it should look different, but he’s a freak of nature. His work ethic is off the charts. We’re going into our 10th straight week during the season and this guy is practicing in pads and finishing plays 50 yards down the field. He’s an unbelievable player and person to be around.”
The Dolphins are ranked 27th in the NFL, converting on 33.9 percent of third-down plays. The Dolphins are scoring 20.8 points per game, which ranks 24th.
The Dolphins hope getting Drake more involved will produce points for the offense under quarterback Brock Osweiler.
“We need to do a better job using him, keep making sure we keep getting him the ball,” Dolphins offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said of Drake. “He’s a guy that can definitely score for us and we need those guys.”