This is why we can't have nice things... Drake's averaging 149 yards per game since becoming the main guy with Williams injury. He's been the only constant threat in an offense littered with inconsistency. I'm not sure what the problem is, outside of this coaching staffs competence. 4.8 yards per carry not good enough? Or the 7.7 ypc? I seriously hope Miami isn't considering doing something stupid and reverting back to a timeshare with Damien Williams once he's healthy. Drake has earned the right to be the undisputed #1 back for the rest of the season. And as a fan... I want to keep watching him.
I've read multiple places that he's never had this many carries before- not even in high school. So they probably have a voice in the back of their heads saying he may not be durable enough, tough enough, etc. I'm fine with how the season is unfolding though, let the guy earn his place and feel free to split him up with Williams or whoever if necessary. I definitely look at him as a feature back though and probably a decent choice at WR3/4 as well.
So far, he's been pretty durable. The concerns are the same ones we had with Lamar Miller, who fought shoulder issues. Houston rushes him around 15 times a game, which is what we should be rushing Drake. He can maintain this pace for another game or two, but yeah, we're bringing in a fresh RB next season to add to the stable.
He's entertaining, but I would rather see him run less with the season all but in the tank. Going forward I would rather see another back split with him and work on getting at least a decent portion of his touches as passes where he can get some of his touches with a little less punishment if done correctly.
Yeah, I don't get that either. Drake's statline the last three weeks is 64 carries, 312 yards, 4.88 YPC, 2 TD on the ground, along with 14 catches for 135 yards in the air. I get that he was never "the guy" in college, but if anything, that should mean that he has more in the tank to give. Its not as if he's being run into the ground 40 times a game like we used to do with Lamar Smith and Ricky Williams. Lets see what he can do if we keep giving him the chance! If they go back to giving him 10 touches a week the last two games, with Williams healthy, I'm going to pull my hair out. Its so much fun watching DW run into the line for a 2 yard gain every time he touches the ball!
As with anything physical, the rationale here is that it's usually not healthy to go from small amounts of activity to massive amounts of activity in an instant. I don't believe anyone feels as if Drake can't handle the work load; they are simply implying it would be better to slowly increase it in order for him to build into it as opposed to just throwing him in the deep end. Slowly increasing Drake's work load is simply the healthier choice, but the Dolphins weren't left with much option.
Gase does NOT want a feature back. Which I can see an argument for. If 'The Guy' goes down, your team is going to have more issues than if they depended on RB by committee. No one knows right now if Drake can handle a 25-30 carry per game load. I'd guess he would probably break down late in the season, but giving up his excellent production for 5-10 plays per game could make a real difference in many games (wins and losses). How about we feature him early in the season, and ease off the carries as the season goes along? How about using him as the #3/4 WR on second and long or third downs with another back next to the QB? We still need a short yardage/goal line back though. A big bruiser who can get you three yds on third and two, and three yds on third and four.
Few if any backs can average 25-30 carries a game and not suffer. Even Bell and Elliot averaged just over 20 last year. I think they are being cautious more than anything, which is fine considering our circumstances. I would expect another back added with Drake getting 15-20 touches per game (between runs and passes).
Gase not wanting a "feature" back is idiotic. Frankly, he's been a letdown all year after a promising rookie season as HC. The problem with Ajayi was he was limited as a pure runner. And frankly, regardless of what happened with Ajayi this season, he should be thanking him for saving our season last year. The only reason why Gase has job security at the moment was that playoff berth... I'll take David Johnson, L. Bell, Elliott, Gurley, etc... all day, everyday, touching the rock 30 times. I don't really understand the argument for a 20 something year old breaking down late in the season. RB's are meant to be rode hard and put up wet. If you're drafting ones who can't carry that load, you're wasting a valuable picks. This is why I don't understand why teams draft Reggie Bush, Christian McCaffrey, etc... so early when they'll never see a return on their investment with them touching the ball 10-12 times a game. Part of elite production is volume. More opportunities, more likely you're to have game breaking plays.
I’m not sure it’s accurate to think Gase does not want a “feature back”. Ajayi was used as one. I think Gase prefers a back who is more dynamic, but certainly settled with Ajayi’s production. Who wouldn’t? I think the thing about Drake is simply just keeping him fresh and maybe avoid injury because he’s never really been used that way. You don’t want Drake having an year-long injury in a season that doesn’t really matter anymore. But I think the coaches are pleasantly surprised by what they have in him. I would imagine he could bulk up just a bit without actually losing too much wiggle if he’s going to continue to be utilized as a “feature” in the future (which is what I think Gase has in mind). Somewhere around 15-18 carries and 5-7 receptions might be the sweet spot. Drake is way too dynamic to not get the ball in his hands. But I don’t think you want to overwork him.
Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away...the University of Oklahoma, there were two running backs on their roster. One was the starter and received the lion's share of the reps, the back-up only a slight portion of them. Both of these running backs were blessed to be drafted in the NFL. Now, the starter was drafted onto a Super Bowl team and the other wasn't unfortunately but the one who wasn't had more of a positive impact on his team and still to this day is on the tip of the tongue of fair minded folks when the discussion of running backs are concerned. Who were these two running backs? I'm talking of Thurmond Thomas and Barry Sanders. That's right, most people don't realize that Thurmond Thomas was the starting RB for OU and Sanders the back-up. When Sanders was drafted by the Lions, the question of durability was raised and I think we all know how that turned out. Now is Drake another Barry Sanders? Of course not. NO ONE will ever be another Barry Sanders. He was in a class all by himself but his career is a shining example of how just because you may not have the rep experience and listed as the 2nd or 3rd back doesn't mean you don't posses the durability. Durability for a running back depends mostly on the offensie line and how well they run block and that's the main cncern of our OL. We have a decent pass blocking OL...not great, decent but our ability to run block needs to be shored up otherwise, no matter who our starting running back is will have a short career in Miami.
