You're not the lone gunman here. I think most folks on the board probably think Lamar Miller is the more explosive back. He's younger, quicker, faster, just more athletic. I think I saw that Lamar's 40-yard dash time was 4.4 (Probably 4.4-something) and Thomas' was 4.62. In just 51 carries, his longest run equals Thomas' longest run in 256. I would think by the time Miller has 256 carries, his longest run will be more than 28 yards. Big picture, he's got to be the back of the future here. Not to mention the 4.9 ypc versus the 3.5 ypc heavily favors Lamar. But there does seem to be a prove-it thing going on with the coaching staff. The fumbled handoff on the first play of scrimmage in the Cowboys game - around our own 10-yard line - probably left a bad taste. How it could be any worse than 5 fumbles in regular season games is beyond me, but it probably meant something to the coaches. Then, there was the dropped pass last game for Lamar that could have gone for big yards (and helped us start fast, which has been a mantra) but instead went for a punt. Meanwhile, Thomas converted a couple first downs on our scoring drive. I saw your comparisons on each of their runs, and you're right that Lamar has run better unquestionably. But those two miscues that maybe Thomas has had in his past but coaches are seeing in Miller in the present probably mean a good deal in the here and now. In the end, I do think it gets sorted out correctly. I think Lamar is just the more talented back, and after the small sample size that has been these pre-season games rolls into the regular season, the cream will rise, as they say. But Lamar does have to start limiting his mistakes. Just like I thought Samuda needed to extrapolate his couple of mistakes in a quarter or so of play instead of tweeting that he only had two bad plays, if you extrapolate what Miller has done wrong so far in pre-season games, it doesn't look so good to the coaching staff. Historically, Miller hasn't fumbled and I think/hope the dropped pass was an anomaly. When the season comes, I think those things bear out, but right now, the coaches are making decisions on what they're seeing. They're coaches, what else can they do? Yes, Miller is the better runner, but he hasn't been a factor yet in the receiving game, and the better runs aren't making up for the mistakes in the limited time he's gotten on the field. Like I said, though, it will get sorted out in the long run that is the regular season. I think it just boils down to small sample size right now.
This thought occurs to me every year around week 11 when I wonder why I pay DirecTV extra money in exchange for misery
Miller going down like a sack of bricks with an arm tackle may have something to do with the demotion too.A starter has to be able to break some tackles and while DT has not shown much of that he seems to be ahead in that respect.
It wouldn't be the first time I'm behind the times. I grew up in the times kids said "Bad!" meaning good. And "She's a fox." And "We're going together." And Disco Duck was playing in the background. Sometimes, I'll break out the old phrases to my kids, and they just stare at me like a dog watching television.
Miller looked tentative and weak, Thomas looked aggressive and violent, what have you done for me lately I guess.. I really don't have a horse in this race, it's a one week cage match on Saturday..I say we shock the world and just play the backups, I'm serious..
As for the concern that Philbin was needlessly risking key starters by playing them too much, Keller played 8 snaps before he got hurt. I think that was probably not even half the offensive snaps to that point. Wallace played 26 and Hartline 29, and as I recall they only finished that drive before getting pulled.
i was all in on the lamar miller bandwagon, our 17th season of Fantasy Football will start on the weekend, a week earlier than normal, because one of my buddies decided to go on a vacation, one week before the season starts...idiot...but anyways not that i have to hope all my picks make it through the dress rehearsal games injury free, but what about lamar now, is he gonna be the starter or no..damn
not to mention- I seriously doubt we're paying Brandon Gibson $10 million to stand on the sidelines. Even w/o Keller's injury the offense would be seeing a fair share of 3WR formations to get Gibson on the field. Duh.
Yep, Miller has not shown decisiveness carrying the ball, he looks like what people thought Reggie Bush was last yr, Thomas at least is hitting the gap at full steam. Not getting anywhere, but that is what he has been doing.
For Lamar Miller, 9 carries for 44 yards, 4.9 yard average. But only 10 yards after contact. of the four running backs, Miller's 1.0 yards after contact per attempt is the lowest. Gillislee is tops with 2.0, Gray has 1.7 and Thomas 1.8. Did get these stats from PFF, but I think the missed tackles, Miller none and as you state Thomas none are incorrect. Thomas had to have broken a tackle in the last game vs the Texans. In fact I can remember the Texans announcers chastising one of their players for missing a tackle on DT's one cut, zone read run, which I believe was his longest of the preseason. I'm okay with Miller starting... but I also think in the second half of football games, at home, with a lead, Daniel Thomas could be a great weapon for us. Splitting carries between the two seems the most logical course of action. And I think it's going to depend on how the game is going. Thomas does get better the more he runs the football. 2012 the stats don't support that, but in 2011 they do (3.4, 3.7, 4.7 on first 10, next 10, next 10 carries in a game respectively). I'm happy he's solidified himself as our #2 guy and that many fans calling for his head a couple of weeks ago can now back off and focus on something else.
Miller hasn't shown he can be a feature back. Neither has DT. They're both inconsistent and often infuriating. I'm fine with letting them split carries until one starts to look like a legit #1 NFL RB (wishful thinking, maybe).
You guys act like your a bad team. Man the Dolphins have a rich awesome history. Only team to ever go undefeated. I would love for the Packers to do that someday.
Way I see it, we went through a long dark spell from 04-07, got back to younger and respectable, we've not become a serious contender for our own division let alone a SB in 5 seasons. We've not won a playoff game since 01, stuff like this gets very old.
At least your not Lion fans or Browns fans. I think Tannehill is the best qb you have had since Marino.
Nah Pennington was, in fact so far Feidler is still ahead of him. Potential is there, that means very little though unless it translates to wins.
CK, I think the thing you're missing with DT is that beyond the stats, he LOOKS better on the field. He's running harder and he's more decisive. I actually think Miller should be the starter but he hasn't been that impressive and I still believe the running game is better when the 2 of them are both getting significant playing time. Thomas is far superior in blitz pickup too. That stuff plays a big role as well.
08 and a couple in 09, then his arm literally fell off on the field in San Diego he sewed it back on only to have it fall off again vs the Titans.
Anyone remember 2002 when Miami traded for Ricky? And all throughout the preseason he got stuffed? Then he ran for 1853 yards and the rushing title? Lamar Miller is no Ricky, but I think you get the point. Preseason is not nearly as important as we're making it out to be. It never is. Lamar has played well in his limited time in the regular season.
I'll be in complete and utter shock if Lamar Miller isn't the starting back when the season opens. The demotion is probably a mental game - motivational tool. Trust what you see - Trust the numbers - Trust the potential. The only way DT takes this starting job, well before the opener there is no way, but after the opener, he has to be so special in "real" game situations that it is just impossible to keep him out of there or Miller has to suck so bad, there is no choice. Come opening day it will be Millers job to lose. This isn't really that hard to figure. Your making to much of the preseason - Thomas has 2 years of numbers that speak for themselves, you can bet Miller will open the starter. This one is a no-brainer.
