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Back-Up Running Back Battle

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Fin D, Aug 10, 2013.

  1. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

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    Rushes:(Through 2 Preseason Games)
    [table="width: 500, class: grid"]
    [TR="bgcolor: #009ca5"]
    [td]NAME[/td]
    [td]CAR[/td]
    [td]YRDS[/td]
    [td]AVG[/td]
    [td]TD[/td]
    [td]LONG[/td]
    [/tr]
    [tr]
    [td]Thomas[/td]
    [td]8[/td]
    [td]24[/td]
    [td]3[/td]
    [td]0[/td]
    [td]9[/td]
    [/tr]
    [tr]
    [td]Gray[/td]
    [td]21[/td]
    [td]73[/td]
    [td]3.47[/td]
    [td]2[/td]
    [td]29[/td]
    [/tr]
    [tr]
    [td]Gillislee[/td]
    [td]19[/td]
    [td]58[/td]
    [td]3.05[/td]
    [td]0[/td]
    [td]9[/td]
    [/tr]
    [/table]

    Receptions:(Through 2 Preseason Games)
    [table="width: 500, class: grid"]
    [TR="bgcolor: #009ca5"]
    [td]NAME[/td]
    [td]REC[/td]
    [td]YRDS[/td]
    [td]AVG[/td]
    [td]TD[/td]
    [td]LONG[/td]
    [/tr]
    [tr]
    [td]Thomas[/td]
    [td]1[/td]
    [td]1[/td]
    [td]1[/td]
    [td]0[/td]
    [td]1[/td]
    [/tr]
    [tr]
    [td]Gray[/td]
    [td]5[/td]
    [td]39[/td]
    [td]7.8[/td]
    [td]0[/td]
    [td]18[/td]
    [/tr]
    [tr]
    [td]Gillislee[/td]
    [td]3[/td]
    [td]17[/td]
    [td]5.66[/td]
    [td]0[/td]
    [td]10[/td]
    [/tr]
    [/table]

    I don't know how well they pass blocked...so someone more qualified can take that aspect of it.

    Another thing to keep in mind is that Gilly is a true rookie and Gray might as well be.
     
  2. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I'll take Thomas as the #2 at this point..
     
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  3. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

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    Based on what?
     
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  4. invid

    invid Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    This chart just shows how much the depth OL stinks. All horrible running averages.
     
  5. VanDolPhan

    VanDolPhan Club member Club Member

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    The team really needs to do some heavy running in the next couple games and switch these guys around. Make sure we actually 'have' a running game.
     
  6. CrunchTime

    CrunchTime Administrator Retired Administrator

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    IMO its too small of a sample size to come to any conclusions at this stage.Let the preseason playout .

    You also have to take into account that the coaches see these players everyday in practice and they may have another opinion of these players.
     
  7. mcdave21

    mcdave21 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I agree with this. Also, you may want to add snap counts to the chart as both gray and gilli have gotten way more snaps than Thomas. Thomas isn't great but gray and gilli haven't shown enough to warrant jumping DT imo. Especially as DT looked like the best back out of the three last night.
     
  8. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    stats in preseason are worthless when it comes to backs, their playing different players, some first, some 2nd, some 3rd string olines and defenses, gray and Gilly have a lot more reps..like crunch says the sample size is pretty small, but just from looking at movement and styles, I don't see enough talent or quickness to challenge Thomas for the #2,
     
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  9. Alex44

    Alex44 Boshosaurus Rex

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    I thought Grey and Gillislee looked great as far as being decisive and moving the pile forwards. The issues have been more along the lines of poor run blocking.

    Thomas IMO didn't look as good on an eye test level. He did cut back into a hole for a decent run but it was about his only positive play (not counting blocking) where as I think Grey and Gillislee just look better on an individual level.
     
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  10. ATLFINFAN

    ATLFINFAN Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Not sure if DJ is meaning the same as this BUT.............

    You also have to take into account which OLine they are running behind, although come to think about it, they might so BETTER behind the #2 or #3 line because of the competitions backups.

    And, I agree, stats at this point mean next to nothing.
     
  11. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    IMO there is no back up RB battle. DThomas is #2.
     
  12. Limbo

    Limbo Mad Stillz

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    Main concern for this year has been and continues to be our running game. I just cannot foresee it being good at all, tbh. Hopefully one of these guys pops in the next 3 games, or else we're going to have problems; our #2 RB is going to be very important this year, imo, cause I don't think Miller is a 20+ carry guy, as much as people want to hype him up.

    DT is frustrating as all hell, but I feel like he has the best chance to emerge as a dangerous runner. Gills and Gray bring some solid things to the table, but I don't see the talent/tools to actually count as a legit NFL 'weapon' - though I'd love to be wrong about this.
     
  13. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    I'm in the Thomas camp... but realize first and foremost, I want what is best for the team. DT has had concussion issues in the past. That's really not good for a running back. Maybe we keep both Gray and Gillislee, one of them for sure. Perhaps Gillislee on the practice squad. I don't think Gray would last there. The battle between them for the #3 is far from over. Three more games left to decide it.
     
  14. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    Last preseason there was no running game to speak of and a lot of people had similar concerns but once the season started it was a totally different story. IMO there's no need to put unnecessary wear and tear or injury risk on Miller/Thomas in these practice games, come September the run game will be fine. Pass protection is another issue though. That's something to be genuinely worried about.
     
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  15. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    I'm thinking the #3 RB will be the best ST player of the two. If Gray or Gillislee are getting significant RB reps during the season then something has gone horribly wrong.
     
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  16. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    IMO, Gray and Gillislee both have better vision and instincts as a runner than Thomas. Gray also has better power, speed, and balance IMO. DT is the #2 still simply because he is a 3rd yr veteran and the other two are rookies.
     
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  17. Clark Kent

    Clark Kent Fighter of the Nightman

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    What the hell do people see in Daniel Thomas? The guy absolutely sucks.

    - Limited power for a powerback
    - No speed
    - No explosion
    - Not elusive
    - Doesn't break tackles
    - Mediocre vision, running into his lineman constantly
    - Made of glass
    - Cost us extra draft picks to trade up for*

    * Would be OK if he had talent.

    He's had two years with this team prior and has not demonstrated any discernible skill set. I'm not even sure if he should backup Gillisee as a #3, nevermind Lamar Miller as a #2. I'll take a Miller/Gray 1-2 punch all day going forward. DT, pls go.
     
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  18. Stringer Bell

    Stringer Bell Post Hard, Post Often Club Member

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    Good blocker, good route runner, good hands, does a good job understanding blocking schemes and coverages. His skill set is clearly one of a 3rd down back. He actually somewhat reminds me of Kevin Faulk to a certain degree.

    Sent from my HTC One GE using Tapatalk 4 Beta
     
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  19. Alex13

    Alex13 Tua Time !!! Club Member

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    i'm really torn but i think we keep all 4 anyways
     
  20. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    Except that Kevin Faulk was never a fan base's personal whipping boy.
     
  21. P h i N s A N i T y

    P h i N s A N i T y My Porpoise in Life

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    And that's Final ? Re-evaluate next year ? I still have hope for Daniel but if he struggles it looks like big 32 will be ready.
     
  22. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    GTFOH!!! DTrain has mad skeels

    [video=youtube_share;T-ldND52bjc]http://youtu.be/T-ldND52bjc[/video]
     
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  23. PhinsFan93

    PhinsFan93 New Member

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    There's a battle alright, for the #3 RB spot. Thomas has the #2 spot locked imo.
     
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  24. Alex13

    Alex13 Tua Time !!! Club Member

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    do we really now that ? :shifty:
     
  25. Alex13

    Alex13 Tua Time !!! Club Member

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    well i guess with this kind of blocking he could do it for real
     
  26. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    Pretty much. New England wins games, their fans don't need whipping boys :lol:.
     
  27. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    If Gray or Gillislee start seeing reps with the first team offense that'd tell me they were being considered for one of the top 2 spots.
     
  28. P h i N s A N i T y

    P h i N s A N i T y My Porpoise in Life

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    I'm still hoping he could explode much like Larry Johnson did.
     
  29. TiP54

    TiP54 Bad Reputation

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    Not a fan of DT, but the other two haven't showed anything either.
     
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  30. Larry Little

    Larry Little Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I heard a lot this offseason about how hard Daniel Thomas was working and how he was going to take a big step forward. I haven't seen it at all. He's the same RB as the previous two years, which is one that lacks power, shiftiness, and speed. Thomas just brings nothing to the offense. He is ineffective and needs to go. Gray and Gillislee are both upgrades, and both have much more upside, IMO.
     
  31. RalphX19X

    RalphX19X >:)

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    http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/6522/daniel-thomas
    Rotoworlds opinion
     
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  32. Clark Kent

    Clark Kent Fighter of the Nightman

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  33. CitizenSnips

    CitizenSnips hmm.

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    I dont think there is a battle. DTs 8 carries says to me that the coaching staff is fine with him. if there was actually a "battle" going on, DT would be geting more carries. gray is the only one who has to prove something to stay on the team.
     
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  34. mroz

    mroz Fix the OL Club Member

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    you sir are correct
     
  35. GridIronKing34

    GridIronKing34 Silently Judging You

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    He's fighting with Mike Gillislee for a spot.

    They cut BJ Cunningham last year so it wouldn't surprise me if we seen our running back depth chart as Miller, Thomas, Thigpen, Gray.
     
  36. mroz

    mroz Fix the OL Club Member

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    Has Thigpen even carried the ball this preseason?
     
  37. mroz

    mroz Fix the OL Club Member

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    BTW, he is pretty much doomed considering he was Omar's man crush list.
     
  38. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    Hard to see that anyone's taken a big step forward when they're only playing a handful of snaps.
     
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  39. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    Because Kevin Faulk was actually good at football.
     
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  40. Anonymous

    Anonymous Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I think Thomas is the #2 back so far. I'm hoping he turns it around this season because I'm really not impressed with Gray or Gillislee.

    Maybe we can pick up another back to replace Thomas before the regular season starts, though. That would be ideal.
     

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