flgreen Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Dolphins' backs are between a rock and a hard place The Dolphins will face the Jets' aggressive blitzing defense without Daniel Thomas, the team's best pass protector By Omar Kelly, Staff writer 7:04 p.m. EST, November 26, 2013 DAVIE –— There will come a point in Sunday's game where Jets linebacker Calvin Pace will turn the corner on some exotic blitz Rex Ryan has drawn up, and one of the Dolphins' tailbacks must stop him from steamrolling his way to Ryan Tannehill. A tailback's job isn't just to run or catch the football. They are also responsible for protecting the quarterback from blitzes. Coincidentally, the Jets possess one of the NFL's most feared and forceful blitzing defenses, and ironically the Dolphins feature a leaky offensive line, and a tailback unit that just lost Daniel Thomas, its best pass blocker, to a serious ankle injury. Someone sound the alarms because this means at least one of Miami's inexperienced tailbacks will need to step up on Sunday or Tannehill might be carted off the Met Life Stadium field. "They've got some very athletic linebackers," said rookie tailback Mike Gillislee, who might be playing in his first NFL game on Sunday. With Thomas sidelined for a few weeks, the Dolphins will take an all-hands-on-deck approach with the team's backfield, which has struggled mightily this season, averaging just 85.4 rushing yards per game, which is 25.8 yards below the league average this season. "We just have to do a better job of running the ball, hitting the holes and try to keep the running game going," said Miller, who leads the Dolphins with 475 rushing yards on 114 carries, which averages out to 4.2 per attempt. "We have to do a better job preparing better, and doing our assignment." Especially this week against a Jets' defense that has produced 32 sacks, and is limiting opponents to 2.9 rushing yards per game, which is NFL's lowest average. When asked the last time he picked up a blitzer in a game, Marcus Thigpen openly admits: "It had to be college." He then corrects himself and wonders out loud if he served as a pass protector in the 2011 season he spent in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats . "It is going to be a tough challenge," said Thigpen, who has spent the past two seasons as the Dolphins' return specialist. "But I'm ready for it." Thigpen has practiced as both a receiver and tailback for the past two season, and points out that his versatility could open up the offense a bit more. The last time the Dolphins faced an aggressive blitzing team like the Jets was against the Saints, whose defense is coached by Ryan's twin brother, Rob Ryan. In that game, Thigpen contributed a 50-yard reception, catching the Saints in a poorly timed blitz. "I just give us that spark. I give more speed out the backfield than anything. I try to get to the perimeter and outrun some guys, get between the tackles and explode," said Thigpen, who has gained 16 yards on three carries in his two seasons with the Dolphins. "I'm more of a dash guy. I'm not a power back because I don't have a lot of weight, obviously." Gillislee realizes Thomas being sidelined for the next few weeks increases his chances of playing in his first NFL game. But this former University of Florida standout openly admits he won't believe this is the week until he's putting on pads before Sunday's kickoff. He's had good weeks of practice before, only to learn he'll be watching the game street clothes. But Gillislee said his slow start motivated him. "This gave me an opportunity to grow and become a pro," said Gillislee, who gained 1,152 rushing yards and scored 11 touchdowns in his senior season with the Gators. "Just by me watching it made me hungrier. I'm ready to take advantage of this opportunity I'm given." Gillislee's proud of his body of work in college, and that includes his skills as a pass protector. But he admits blitzing linebackers in the NFL, players like Pace, play with more force and power than what he faced in college. "Being able to adjust to that is something I worked on," Gillislee said. "Watching Daniel Thomas pick up those linebacker gave me mental reps. I feel like I'm ready to go." There isn't a better opportunity to prove it than against the Jets. Copyright © 2013, South Florida Sun-Sentinel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted November 27, 2013 Author Share Posted November 27, 2013 Funny story I was in a sports bar yesterday getting some wings and beer, and it came on TV that Rex had named Smith the starter. A table with about 6 Fish fans were next to mine, and they all started cheering. I thought that maybe Marino had found the Fountain of Youth, and was going to play. Not a good thing when your opponents best chance of winning is if your starting QB starts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayNoToDMC Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 They still get to play the Jets right? I'm really looking forward to Rex leaving Cro on an island with Wallace all game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artemusclyde Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Funny story I was in a sports bar yesterday getting some wings and beer, and it came on TV that Rex had named Smith the starter. A table with about 6 Fish fans were next to mine, and they all started cheering. I thought that maybe Marino had found the Fountain of Youth, and was going to play. Not a good thing when your opponents best chance of winning is if your starting QB starts Lol, just goes to show why we need to draft a qb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayNoToDMC Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Lol, just goes to show why we need to draft a qb. Lets give Rex another QB to neuter with the best player on the offense being a 5th round slot guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artemusclyde Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Lets give Rex another QB to neuter with the best player on the offense being a 5th round slot guy Rex doesn't get involved in the offense my friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor99 Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 limiting opponents to 2.9 rushing yards per game, which is NFL's lowest average. Copyright © 2013, South Florida Sun-Sentinel If this is true, Rex deserves that extension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 If this is true, Rex deserves that extension. In case running the football becomes a thing again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayNoToDMC Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 If this is true, Rex deserves that extension. Totally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayNoToDMC Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Rex doesn't get involved in the offense my friend. If this is true, Rex deserves that extension Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurnleyJet Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Their oline sucks, they can't run the ball, and they will still beat us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CM28 Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 If this is true, Rex deserves that extension Lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Jets fan Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Their oline sucks, they can't run the ball, and they will still beat us. This is true because you still have to SCORE to win games!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoicsentry Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 In case running the football becomes a thing again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaver Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Hmmm......Gillislee has been inactive so far this season......Is there any doubt he has over 150 all purpose yards and a td? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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