FanPost

Sacrificial Lambs part 2 - RB

This series is about looking into our team for next year and which areas may need most change. We covered QBs last time, and now we cover RBs. As last time, we will look into our team, the market, and potential draft, we close with a poll and look forward to your comments!

Current Status

Miami finished last year 4th in rushing, and this was supposed to be the identity of the team since Parcells came in town. We were a big, physical team that likes to pound the ball, then set up the pass with a solid running game. Adding Brandon Marshall was also supposed to limit the number of times we see 8 men in the box. Ronnie was back and looked healthy, so everything was on plan for an excellent season.

Yet it didn't happen.

Personally, i don't blame either RB that much. IMO, a combination of play poor calling, lack of deep threat, and awful OL play, mainly from the interior line, is a bigger concern. But we can talk about the OL later.

As a duo, Ronnie and Ricky are combining for almost a thousand yards and 4 yards per carry. So considering everything, thats not so bad. The question is should either stick around next year?

Ronnie turns 29 next year , and having already had two season ending injuries in the past. He is great at spotting holes and runs the WC well. The question is, is he good enough, and can he have enough milage to give a long term commitment to? this will be one of the more important questions in off season.

Ricky is showing no signs of age and has done well when given a chance. He is averaging 4.4 yard per carry. Its fair to say that Ricky deserves to stay on as second RB , but question will be if he accepts less carries, especially if Miami make a move in market or draft.

Lex and Cobbs fill our remaining spots. Lex is a good straight-forward runner and ST player, and Cobbs is a great 3rd down back and ST player. Neither will add alot of value in running game, which again points to have a complete, solid #1 back moving forward.

The Market

Several players will become free agents, or could be available for trade next year. Below is a list of realistic candidates who could be available (my estimation, if you think i missed someone, please discuss!):

DeAngelo Williams: Maybe the biggest name that could be available. DeAngelo, like all of Carolina, was not having a good season before he went on IR, but was still averaging more then 4 yards per carry on what is clearly the worst team in the league. However, this is still a guy with 2600+ rushing yards over last two seasons and 25 TDs. He was a top 5 back over that span and will turn 28 next year.

Carolina need to re-build, and with Jonathan Stewart on books, and how Goodison stepped up after DeAngelo went down, i won't be surprised if they franchise and trade him, and i do believe many RB hungry teams will kick the tires. IMO he is clearly better then Ronnie, but is he worth the price?

Joseph Addai: With Donald Brown waiting in the wings, and having some decent younger backs like Hart on roster, i don't see how Colts commit big time to Addai, especially with his injury history.

Hard to judge Addai with Colts. Is he really better if playing in a rush oriented team? or does he benefit from teams defending the pass? add to that his injury history and his somewhat low career average yards per carry (4.1), and i don't think he will add much to us.

Cedric Benson: feels like he has been around forever, but he only turns 28 next year and with little milage. But he also only had one great year, fumbles alot, and will always carry character concerns.

Michael Bush: with emergence of McFadden, Bush may be available. Turns 27 and only played 3 seasons (was out first full season), Bush has a career average of 4.4, and would be an interesting option.

The Draft:

If we assumed Miami will end mid table and have a mid round draft pick, there could be some interesting options in the draft, if we deem this a #1 priority, especially with alot more talent in other positions. Most believe maximum 2 RBs go in first round only.

Mark Ingram: Probably the most interesting of options, Ingram is without doubt a gifted player but he will need a solid OL. IMO, i don't think he drops beyond 15 so it really depends where we pick. If we have a shot, do we pull the trigger? alot of "draft" gurus think we will, and we should, as they see Ingram as a potential Emmit Smith type of player.

Ryan Williams: Another balanced all around runner that is hard to fault anything about his game.

Mikel Leshoure: One of the more exciting options and people will wonder if he is truly the real deal or not, plus his work ethic seems to fit what this coaching staff like.

So, how big of a priority is the RB position? many thought we should draft Spiller, but as seen in Buffalo, an RB , unless the next Barry Sanders or Chris Johnson, needs a good cast to be effective. Maybe there are bigger gaps to fill first? let me know your thoughts!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Phinsider's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of The Phinsider writers or editors.