http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/12/15/adam-gase-jay-ajayi-cant-get-frustrated/ This is something that worried me as well. Ajayi has not passed 80 yards in the last 5 games. We've won 4 of those 5, however, as an athlete he wants to do more. There is a fine line between the team winning and your own success, obviously the team comes first, but he needs to stay laser focused as we need him more than ever these last three weeks. Defenses are going to be honing in on #23. That will be priority #1 with some tough defenses in bad weather, on the road coming up. This is where this very young team gets experience in the BIG MOMENTS. One thing that gets glossed over when your team hasn't been to the post season in 8 years is, these guys don't know how to play in big time moments YET. Time for the boys to become men and take this mother ****er to the house and get into the post season!!!!! LETS GO DOLPHINS BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We've got Albert and Tunsil out there but I don't think either one of them is much better than their back-ups because of the injuries that the're trying to play through. How good can Albert be without strength in one of his wrists, and how good can Tunsil be with a wounded shoulder? I think think is a big reason why the run game is struggling. Not only that, but if Albert was healthy he probably steers Calais Campbell away from Tannehill's knee and we still have a healthy Tannehill. If Miami loses games, it will still be because of an inferior offensive line. Jermon Bushrod is not good NFL guard. He's barely serviceable, and Juwan James is not strong at the point of attack. When we had a healthy Albert and Tunsil, we could run to that side and clear lanes. With those guys at 70% or less out there we have not one above-average offensive lineman.
We arent making the playoffs without him at this point. He's gonna have to have some big games at this point
Until we finally address the offensive line and stop counting on old / often injured or garbage players in the lineup were not going to be a dominant running team. Gase knows this and I hope he forces the front office to move on from some of these guys.
With a healthy Unicorn OL we go into the final three games and impose the run game on them. Without Pouncey and with two injured guys playing the best we can expect is the run game is 'just good enough' to compliment a few big passes from Moore and we win a couple close games. Teams respecting the running of Ajayi will hopefully make Matt more careful with turnovers instead of feeling like he has to make every play with the passing game. As has been said often though.... it is December and the Phins are playing meaningful football games with a realistic expectation of making the playoffs. Feels good.
We miss pounceys abilities to turn and square off the def tackles for the cutback lane, which is Ajayis bread and butter.
Proud of what this team has done this year, and what many of the players have done as individuals too. Ajayi has grown personally and professionally.
