Greg Likens @GregLikens [h=1]Surprising development. Ajayi started preseason as likely starter & now doesn't even travel for Week 1 [/h]
Still mind boggling how we entered the year with him as a starter to begin with. Watching Lamar Miller over in Houston this year is going to make me violently ill.
I'm always against drafting from the overrated small schools in college. Always mind blowing to me how Boise state is ranked and their players seem to bust in the NFL more often than not. I mean the dolphins tried to sign CJ in the offseason so that should of already told Ajayi he was on a short leash with this coach.
According to many posters on here, Miller wouldn't be missed because Ajayi would easily be able to replace him. Instead the starter is the player Miller replaced in Houston and Ajayi will probably not even be on the roster much longer, because he obviously isn't even one of the top 3 RB's on the roster at this time.
Sounds like his roster spot could be at risk. Yikes. Had high hopes for this kid, but it ain't happening.
Damnnnnn! That was fast. I was one of the dudes enamored with Ajayi. He fell the **** out fast. Touted as the most complete back coming out of college. He forgot how to catch in preseason...and then BAM!
Probably screwed either way, but I have some confidence in Isaiah Pead and Kenyan Drake. Pead might slowly be turning a corner and he's a fairly "complete" back, while Drake could be used in a way reminiscent of Dion Lewis. #TrustInGase
Could just be a hard lesson and a humbling for a young player. Dolphins will be remiss if they don't draft a talented RB in this loaded class coming up.
This has to be more of a personal/punishment type thing, I mean its not like we have a stable of great backs right now..... Anyway, I'm confident, I mean Tannenbaum was sure that we could be fine without spending 1 penny more than the allotted salary structure allows for a good RB. Has to be confident in players he had a hand in drafting could fill the void. He obviously knows what he's doing.
This cracked me up. [video=twitter;774358485442191364]https://twitter.com/joshbaumgard/status/774358485442191364[/video]
I was one of those. I truly believed he would emerge as a full complete back for us. He may still but man was I wrong thinking this would be his year!! /Eats Crow Now I'm legit concerned about the position.
Okay no need to panic yet. But if Arian Foster gets hurt.... Really wish they would've tried to keep Miller.
I think it shows two things; Gase has identified the player to make an example of thus far, and that the coaching staff has confidence in Pead, Williams and Drake. One of those players will likely be inactive, but I don't think you'd make this move if you didn't think the other players give you enough to replace him. If Pead gets the shot, and does something with it, then Ajayi will likely only have himself to blame. We likely will draft a back next year, but it may not be until round 2-3 as we will also need pass rushers, and there a couple that we may value more highly than a back at our slot.
They offered him 4 or 5m/year I think. They tried, but obviously don't value RBs like Houston does. (I wanted them to pay Lamar, too)
I wish they would have kept Miller, as do most of you. However, I wouldn't be so quick as to give up on Ajayi just yet. Of course, this isn't an encouraging sign, but it's not like he was punching women in an elevator or drugging women to rape them. Sometimes certain players need tough love. I'm hoping that Gase knows what he's doing and I'm assuming he's trying to light a fire under Ajayi. If he responds, the talent is there. If he doesn't respond, well, either he was mismanaged by Gase, or he was too weak minded for this game at this level. I, for one, like the kid, and am optimistic that we will see him playing for us in week 2.
His problem is he doesn't play much STs...and hes not the starter (Foster) and he's not involved in the passing game. You only dress 47. The good news is the draft is loaded at RB this year. We should be able get a real stud.
If Ajayi was better than an old injured Foster he would have stood up to the plate and shown it. Gase seen this ahead of time because he tried hard to get a back up plan. Ajayi is to incompetent at this point to prove otherwise but it's simple young man stand up and prove yourself or find another career.
Ajayi did not look good at all in the last preseason game. you can't do that on the road early in Seattle. Gase is looking at this thing from a practical standpoint. I think he plays against NE
If the Dolphins are picking top 10 they have much bigger needs than a RB. Cb, lb and de will likely all be major needs next year. Its refreshing to have a coach who will play rookies even after missing most of pre-season like Howard. That never happens with Philbin. Gase values talent over experience. Nice to see. Also nice to see Gase hold players accountable. Hes using Ajayi to make an example and i think its a little early to completely write him off. I liked what i seen from Pead though. Williams is garbage however and hopefully isnt on the field much.
NFL.com News: "MIAMI DOLPHINS: Putting pressure on Ajayi to step up. Arian Foster winning the starting job with the Dolphins is a testament to the veteran running back's work in returning from an Achilles tear at age 30. It's also an indictment of Jay Ajayi's offseason and training camp, as the 2015 fifth-round pick was supposed to be the No. 1 back for Miami. But along the way, according to a team source and another person informed of Ajayi's status with the team, Ajayi didn't respond to the challenge Foster's arrival presented. The Dolphins' coaches wanted to see Ajayi dig in, work hard and force the team to keep him in the top spot while Foster -- who signed in July -- complemented him. Instead, they saw Ajayi sulk and struggle through a subpar preseason (18 carries for 49 yards and a fumble). The hope now is Ajayi will finally respond to seeing Foster begin the season as the starter. "The message has been received," one source said. -- Mike Garafolo"
New coach making an example of someone questioning his authority. Either Ajayi will respond positively, or will be washed out. I hope for the former. But yeah, **** looking forward to next years draft, its 2016 and our season has just started. I really hope Gase will have a positive impact.