The Miami Dolphins rushing attack has been dismal as of late. Here’s why
The Miami Dolphins run game has steadily trended in the wrong direction.
Through the past five games, the Dolphins have averaged roughly 59.4 yards per game. The rushing attack hit a new low against the New York Jets when the team finished with just 44 yards on 19 attempts.
“I think a lot of guys can clean up our assignments in the blocking schemes to be able to kind of make sure that we are moving the ball in the run game just as efficiently and effectively as we are in the pass game,” fullback Alec Ingold. “So I think it’s definitely an area that we can grow in and it does take all 11 to be able to make that happen.”
This regression comes roughly two months after the Dolphins’ three-game stretch when they averaged more than 150 yards. Granted, a lot has changed since then – most notably, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s return to the lineup as he was on injured reserve during that time. The Dolphins have also faced some changes on the offensive line with the loss of Austin Jackson to season-ending knee surgery and Terron Armstead’s lingering knee injury that has limited him to just one practice during the past month and forced him out Sunday’s game against the Jets. Still, Ingold doesn’t believe that’s a valid excuse.
“There’s no finger-pointing, there’s no excuses and it’s simple, but it’s hard to do,” Ingold continued. “And I think that’s the challenge that we all have to kind of embrace and not look at any sort of outside help, any sort of outside explanation and truly just dialing into how all 11 can be in this run game and we can improve down the stretch. [Because] I think that’s the only way we win the games we need to win, is for all 11 guys to be able to take that ownership and not have to look for who’s on the field, who’s off, situation of the game, like it shouldn’t really matter at this point.“
Guard Liam Eichenberg agreed.
“I think it kind of goes back to all of us being on the same page based on where the point is made and all of us going to the correct guy after that point,” Eichenberg said. “Definitely communication can be improved, but at the end of the day it kind of goes back to technique and fundamentals.”
Coach Mike McDaniel’s explanation, however, slightly differed. Although McDaniel acknowledged the missed opportunities — most notably a 26-yard scamper from DeVon Achane that got called back because of holding — and a need for better blocking, he also explained how the Dolphins have taken advantage of teams that overplay the run.
“There’s a lot of times with the consistency of the decision-making and accuracy of Tua that I’m exchanging tone-setting run plays for tone-setting pass plays,” McDaniel said Monday. “Protection is firm and telling guys to be aggressive and then when you’re throwing a 5-yard out route to Julian Hill for 14, you’re throwing a 5-yard out route to Jaylen Waddle for 10, you’re throwing a 5-yard out route to Tyreek [Hill] for, I think one time it was 13, one time it was 9.”
And while McDaniel’s explanation certainly makes sense, it’s worth wondering how the utilization of Tagovailoa’s efficiency will help in short-yardage situations, an area where the Dolphins have similarly struggled. The two issues are seemingly linked; keep in mind that the Dolphins couldn’t score against the Green Bay Packers despite three attempts from the 1-yard line. Against the New York Jets, the Dolphins needed five plays to score from the 3-yard line on their first drive.
“When you talk about fast, physical, elite technique in short yardage; getting the right feet in the ground, being able to do all the things we need to do to move your guy one yard so the running back can get through that line of scrimmage, I think it really is details, I think it’s that focus,” Ingold said. “Yeah, a little toughness can help, too, a little tenacity to get after it, but I think short yardage in the run game is something that we’re all going to be having our hand in.”
As the months get colder, the Dolphins need to find a way to reestablish the run. Doing so will allow the team to have a more balanced offense. Sure, Tagovailoa has played lights out since his Week 8 return but even an average run game can open up opportunities through the air.
“So December football, a lot of teams need to be able to run,” Ingold said. “We’re going to be on the road quite a bit and I think that’s going to help, so I think it’s really button down the hatches there. It’s definitely a growth opportunity for us heading into this stretch.”
