FanPost

Talkin some RB!

Now the whole QB situation has been blurbed about here and there over and over, with much speculation. Over the last two seasons, the QB play has been pretty consistent (unfortunately, altho if all the other phases of the game were up to speed we might have been to two afc championship games :P but thats another debate) its the running game that has changed quite a bit.

  • 2009 - Ranked 4th in the league, 2,231 yrds, 4.4 avg, 22 touchdowns
  • 2010 - Ranked 21st in the league, 1,643 yrds, 3.7avg, 8 touchdowns

Ouch, only the Panthers (6) and Bills (7) had fewer rushing touchdowns in 2010. So its understandable that this offseason the team would try to rebuild the running game. And with the two main backs being free agents this offseason its very doable. We all know what steps have been taken thus far in the rebuilding process, drafting a big well hyped offensive lineman Mike Pouncey, and a powerful workhorse type running back Daniel Thomas. Not to mention the H-back? TE? Fullback? whatever he does, Charles Clay.

Address the RB position via free agency? Now there has been a lot of speculation as to who will be the compliment back to DT as this regime has shown to be in favor of using multiple running backs (with backs like Ronnie and RIcky tho, how can you not!) DeAngelo Williams' name has been tossed around a lot, I think mostly because of the interest he himself showed in wanting to come to MIA. There are other notable running back free agents who will hit the market once free agency begins.

Promote from within? I have read multiple times that the backs who were lower on the depth chart are excited for the opportunity to step up compete for the No.1 spot. Both Lex Hilliard and Kory Sheets have expressed this offseason that they want they chance to be that No.1 running back. Sure, with both Ronnie and Ricky heading towards free agency it would appear that job would now be available for them. Altho, if they deserved the job, why didn't they get more carries instead of coming in as a couple of unknowns. We got to see a little of what Lex is like when Brown was injured in 09. He came in and carried the ball 23 times for 89 yrds a 3.9 avg 1 TD, and caught the ball 20 times for 158 yrds 7.9avg for 2 TDs. Kory Sheets has seen very limited action, 1 carry for 5 yrds. Both had solid college careers tho.

Lex Hilliard - 680 att 3428 yrd 45 TDs // 46 rec. 451 yrd 2 TDs

For full stats http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/stats/_/id/149243/lex-hilliard

Kory Sheets - 664 att 3341 yrd 48 TDs // 108 rec. 841 yrd 5 TDs

For full stats http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/stats/_/id/161035/kory-sheets

In Closing: I love that the two guys on the roster are hungry to have the job and are probably both working hard right now. Im sure they are capable backs, and theres no telling how each will play behind a solid offensive line. Preferably for me i would have R&R come back, I just love those guys in dolphins uniforms too much. But Im well aware of the possibility that both wont be back next season. Be that as it may, Im happy to hear the guys in the wings are wanting to prove to the coaches that they're worth a shot!!

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.