http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sport...sweblog+(Miami+Dolphins+|+Sun-Sentinel+Blogs) Before the draft, Ireland implied the team would continue to stick with the two-running back approach that it has used in recent seasons. After the draft, he said the Dolphins drafted Thomas not because he had experience in a wildcat offense (Thomas, a former quarterback, does indeed have such experience) but because the Dolphins liked him as a traditional running back. A powerful, bruising back. If nothing else, Thomas has some history on his side. Running backs picked in the first and second rounds have staying power, at least. Starting with the 2005 draft and ending with the 2010 draft, 34 running backs were selected in either the first or second round. Of those 34, 28 are still in the NFL. And among the group that is still in the NFL, 11 have run for at least 3,000 yards in their career (Adrian Peterson and Maurice Jones-Drew have both run for more than 5,000). Three of those 11 players were picked in the second round (Jones-Drew, Matt Forte and Ray Rice). If Thomas is indeed the guy from day one, he’ll have a head start on joining that list.
''Traditional''..I said that word a million times this offseason when it came to our runningback position, it is what was missing in this offense this last year..Ronnie is the antithesis of that..I can't tell you how many yards I feel were left on the table because of the lack of a traditional runningback skillset.. When it comes to thomas I think we have to look at the size of the man relative to his talent level...Its off the charts for a 6 foot 230 back.. The dexterity he displays in his feet and hands for that size is impressive..He's got a quick cut, and a spin move in his repertoire, and both take a lot of talent to pull off.. His feet are very nice for a back that hasn't played the position very long, dare I say he has feet of a traditional back, he just realized it late..He's able to run thru a hole at full speed, which is something that i've been longing for.. The spin move, he's always doing it, and he's good at it.. Loved the jump fake, showing some vertical explosiveness, and instincts..It wasn't there, he didn't panic, and he made moves after it.. I think there is a big perception that he is 6'2..He's not, he's 6 foot tall, legit 6'1/4 at the most.. Thats good news imo...
That is one of the reasons why I'd partially would like to see a Portis or McGahee brought in Deej, just a Vet back who knows how to avoid negative plays and to pick up at least a couple of positive yds, imho we had to many negative plays from the running back position last season. Thing with DTrain is, if he comes in and has some fumbles, or pops a hammy, or what have you, who do we have behind him.? Lexxy? Sheets? I like Lexxy more then most do (along with Thiggy) but would you risk a season on him showing more? Charles Clay maybe? The old saying is "Two is one and One is none" when it comes to Depth.
I still like Ricky Williams and I think that he has something left in the tank, would be a good compliment to Daniel Thomas. I think that Ricky has been underused for the last few years, always preferred him over Ronnie Brown. Ronnie is a great physical specimen and a very hard runner with great hands, but his pure running back skills are marginal imo.
Nah, think they are finished in Miami Bro, take a gander at our Advanced NFL Stats EPA stuff: http://www.advancednflstats.com/2011/04/draft-needs-according-to-2010-epa.html Dead last in terms of running backs Henne/OL/Te all came out fairly well, dead last in running back plays leading to points.
I agree Pod..A redoing of the runningback unit was something we talked about this offseason..Willis or Clinton would be a wise investment if we don't get a DWilliams, Bush, Sproiles or a Bradshaw..
Henne was really hindered at times with those 2 last year, thats a interesting stat..Its a reason why I feel strongly that Henne took the hit..Those two played last year like they were the castovers holding the young team back..I also think their seniority might of interfered with the dynamic of leadership on offense...I'am very happy with the dynamic of Henne and Jake taking over this offense..
Good points, but I'm going to rely on my eyes for this one, and my eyes say that RW still has plenty of burst and shiftiness left, and he still runs hard. Daniel Thomas is almost the same exact size as Ronnie Brown, is a very hard running North-South back, and on top of that he has the wildcat thing going on as well. My point is that he replaces Ronnie most likely- just my opinion of course. But Ricky- man, that guy still runs hard. Both he and Ronnie were handicapped by that beaten up OL last year and it's not my intention to dump on Ronnie, but he's the guy who's been making $5 million a year and with DT's skill set coming to town he's expendable. Ricky is lower cost, more effective imo and again, I still think that he has gas left in the tank. Take a look at these recent clips- hard running and he still has the speed to get to the corner and break off a few long ones. I'd welcome Ricky back with open arms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv5vtXxjdYA
I agree.. on top of that, I think Ronnie is dropping off VERY fast. Bad OL or not, dude was getting jacked up last year.. in the open field. Ronnie has never been one to fall back from big shots, usually he just absorbs them, but last year he took about 2-3 big shots and flew the **** back. To me that says he's done.. when he can't even fall forward anymore, it's time to move on
Ricky was pretty damn good in 09 but last year he was bad. Couldn't get to the edge, couldn't make anyone miss, average in pass pro, fumbled on the 1 yd line in Minneasota, fumbled 2 more times the next week vs NY. Falling down before contact, never creating yards on his own, he and Ronnie were both big disappointments IMO. Going back watching the games, they left so many yards on the field its embarrassing. Ronnie has no vision, no idea where he's going & Ricky knows exactly where he's going but it takes him too long to get there. Two thumbs down. Give me this guy here and I'll be happy: [video=youtube;0Pzjv7P4Q2U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pzjv7P4Q2U[/video] Still #34, still a Williams...
you would think that he would have his balance considering how he takes care of his body, but in this case it seems father time has zapped him of that somewhat, and, his aggressive nature..
My criticisms of ronnie brown have always been body related, my opinion on the subject was that I did not believe that ronnie brown trained his body as a hi level professional athlete should during offseasons.I made those assessments based on studying his body relative to when he came out of college..I know thats not a lot of proof and folks here made me very well aware of that, however, I stand by my assessment of the athlete..He wasn't someone who got into the art of training his body as a pro athlete, and the inexplicable reduction of speed and quickness only gives me more conviction.
TBH, I'd rather be able to trust Kory Sheets enough to hand him RW's role, that 4.4/4.3 speed is something the offence lacks, and I'd take the money thusly saved and upgrade the Oline or ST or linebacker depth or add Brad Smith.
Just watched some of Con's videos on him, and I must say he is S.L.O.W. when hitting the hole and in the open field. That may be (and hopefully some of it is) play design. Also, a little alarmed at how many times DBs were able to bring him down 1-on-1 in the open field as well.
think hes an instinctive back with good vision, and he hits the hole hard... he can also make a move in the hole quickly which is good when running in traffic... doesn't have the long speed but to me that doesn't matter so much for a RB... i have high hopes for the kid...
