Ajayi as the #1 back

[cuchulainn]

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/fantasy-football-ajayi-working-to-be-dolphins-no-1-backfield-option/

I caught up with Ajayi where he was working out with standout NFL trainer Tony Villani at XPE Sports...

Keep in mind that Ajayi was a highly-rated prospect coming out of Boise State last year before he dropped to the fifth round of the NFL Draft due to concerns with the long-term status of his right knee. He said physically he feels great, and Villani said there appears to be nothing wrong with his knee as of now.

"I'm honestly happy because I haven't seen any effects of it while we're training," Villani said. "First thing I'm looking for is he favoring one side of the other. We haven't treated him differently because of his knee. I'm happy about that."

The Dolphins also could be higher on Ajayi then they are letting on. A report in theMiami Herald said former interim coach Dan Campbell wanted to play Ajayi more and Miller less, and the front office could share that sentiment this offseason in letting Miller leave.

Gase also said at the NFL annual meeting that he likes Ajayi, but he just wants to "develop that stable of backs" for depth.

"I feel really comfortable with Jay," Gase said. "I saw a lot of good things on film last year. I'm fired up to get going with him."

More in the article - sounds like the knee is NOT a problem at all.

Ajayi had a high 2nd round grade on him before the knee reports surfaced. I still maintain that we should draft a compliment to him as the starter and not a replacement.

YMMV.

[DolphinsFreak]

No words need to be added, but I am forced to because of the site restrictions. Aha

[cuchulainn]

lol... yeah, I just use the underscore key ;-)

Ajayi looked as good coming out as any back in this draft.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

I have no problem with Ajayi as our starting back if he wins the job,, no way do i think he should just be handed the starting job as he has done nothing to warrant it at this point...But that does seem to be our M.O.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

I like Marshall but i think he's been hurt some, damn sure wouldn't mind us drafting him...I just wish we could finally strike lucky & draft an awesome talent at RB; a guy who's a threat to score every time he touches the ball..aside from Ricky i think you have to go all the way back to Mercury Morris, that's pretty pathetic!

[cuchulainn]

Yeah, a crying shame Shula could never draft or trade for a solid back during the 80s or early 90s. Marshall has had his share of injuries, but that's why his stock is mid round - 4th or 5th. If he's healthy, he's dynamite in a rotation where, like Miller, you can limit his carries to keep him healthy.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

True,, i wonder if he's on Miami's radar...As far as Shula finding his back, we did get David Overstreet who i thought was going to be amazing but then he diddn't initially sign with us & played in the CFL for a couple of years, then when he finally signed, just as he was looking like he was going to be our star back he had that freak accident and was killed when he drove off the road & hit some gas pumps...Man, you just can't make this shit up!!!!!

[AquaXI]

Ajayi will build his confidence and get it done. New regime means it translate to players!

[FTLDOLFAN]

I think we are going to draft a RB in the middle rounds to compete with Ajayi for the starting job. In today's NFL you need 2 RB's anyway. If we could get CJ Procise in the 4th round that would be my ideal scenario. Ajayi and Procise would be a very good two headed monster at RB.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

Maybe the third time's the charm as we missed out on CJ Anderson then missed out on CJ (Chris Johnson), seems only fitting we'd try for another CJ...

[HndRkyaBong34]

Nobody here know if Ajayi is going to translate to the NFL, you have to find a proven back or draft a power work horse..

[cuchulainn]

Improved OL and a FB would help. I'm hoping we draft FB, Chris Swain in the 6th or 7th. Guy was a stud for Navy.

[cuchulainn]

One thing about Ajayi - he's physical... and non-physical running backs do not fare well in our division. Miller last year only averaged 54 yards per game overall, but only picked up 30.8 yards per game in AFCE division games. Miller's 6 division games last year - 38, 26, 15, 44, 2, and 60 yards for a 2.6 ypc overall.

Some of that was on the OL for sure, but the other part of it was that Miller was not physical and did not do well after contact.

The best back in the East last year was Chris Ivory, who I had hoped we'd sign, but the Jags snagged. At least he's out of the division and the stej the weaker for it.

We need backs who run violently and can finish strong in this division. This is part of the reason I'm expecting Ajayi to shine. It may also make Derrick Henry more of a viable pick in the 2nd round - if he's there.

[cuchulainn]

Bowles did an excellent coaching job I thought, but they were pretty healthy overall and got a surprising season from Fitz. They only had 1 starter on their OL who played less than 15 games and he still started 10 games for them. Our healthiest OL starter for the season was Dallas Thomas, who started all 16 games. *ouch*

[Driven_Phinsane!]

Gotcha! I didn't get that by lucky you meant they basically stayed healthy (which obviously involves a lot of luck) Funny that our healthiest O-Lineman ended up being the one we all wanted to hurt!

[cuchulainn]

Lol... yes, and Dallas certainly doesn't help anyone else stay healthy either.

[Dolfan1]

Personally I'm fine with AJ as the featured back, just get him some help on the O-line.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

We need backs who run violently and can finish strong in this division. This is part of the reason I'm expecting Ajayi to shine. It may also make Derrick Henry more of a viable pick in the 2nd round - if he's there.

I wouldn't necessarily call Ajayi a violent runner but it's a good point you make on the type of runner we need to build around to face the defenses in our division,, makes me wonder what's going on with Blount, is he still unsigned??

[HndRkyaBong34]

Now you're talking my friend....

[cuchulainn]

I wouldn't necessarily call Ajayi a violent runner but it's a good point you make on the type of runner we need to build around to face the defenses in our division,, makes me wonder what's going on with Blount, is he still unsigned??

Ajayi isn't a Chris Ivory, but he's still very physical. I worry about him staying healthy with his style of running. Would have loved to have gotten Ivory to have a solid 1-2 punch at RB between the 2 of them.

Blount is a fkn headcase. Not sure anyone wants the scrutiny and distraction he brings.

[cuchulainn]

Yeah, while I expect us to be a better overall team under Gase, I'm not expecting us to be into a playoff push where signing someone like Blount for a few weeks would be worth any issues or baggage. Guys like Blount and Hardy are just a damned stupid waste of athletic talent.

[HndRkyaBong34]

Lynch was a liability for Seattle at the time.. So is aldon Smith for the Raiders. Pac Jones, B. Marshall, incognito and the list goes on.. I like when you bring in players that stir it up a bit... Remember Philbin's way didn't go over well..

[cuchulainn]

How many of those guys have been kicked off teams going back to college for ALL of the following: fighting with teammates, arrests for drugs, suspended for PEDs, or causing problems in the locker room? Blount's either been released or kicked off 5 teams now. We've had enough distractions the past 5 seasons between Marshall, Cogs, Jordan, and the Grimes family. No thanks.