When the 2012 NFL Draft came around I was more than pleased to see that my favorite University of Miami football player, Lamar Miller, landed with my favorite NFL team, the Miami Dolphins. Though I knew he would be playing a limited role since Reggie Bush is the man at running back with the Fins, I had no idea just how limited that role would become. Now, my excitement has moved to bewilderment as I am trying to figure out why the Dolphins don't utilize Miller at the running back position a little bit more.
Not for Lack of Talent
For whatever reason the Miami Dolphins are keeping Lamar Miller out of games, it can't be due to talent. So far this season he is averaging 5.5 yards per carry and has one touchdown and six first down runs in only 23 total rushing attempts. But, the fact remains that Miller hasn't touched the football in the last two games.
More Opportunity for Thomas
Part of the probable reason that Lamar Miller is not getting the playing time that at least I think he should is due to the fact that the Dolphins are giving a lot more of an opportunity to Daniel Thomas. This might be because he was drafted in the second round in the 2011 NFL Draft whereas Miller came to the Fins in the fourth round of the 2012 Draft. However, stats don't lie and despite Thomas getting 36 carries compared to Miller's 23, he has fewer rushing yards to show for his efforts.
Bush Needs a Break
I think what is most perplexing is how much of the workload the Dolphins are placing on Reggie Bush in regards to rushing the football. He has seen the majority of the carries this season, which is to be expected, but when there is only one other player to rush the ball from the backfield one time, as was the case when the Dolphins played the St. Louis Rams, something is amiss. That particular game saw Bush earn only 17 yards on the day. It seems that a more potent one-two punch might be better for the team and for Bush.
Use the Assets
The bottom line is that the Dolphins are not utilizing Lamar Miller. He has already proven this season that he is tough and that he can produce some yardage when needed. However, he can't do so while sitting on the bench. While I don't claim to be anywhere close to as smart as the Miami Dolphins coaching staff, I do think it is a no-brainer to use Lamar Miller more often in an effort to bolster the offense.
Jimmy Collins has been a loyal "Dolfan" and fan of the NFL since he was six years old when he met Dan Marino and several other Miami Dolphins players. Still a resident of South Florida, he attends numerous Miami Dolphins games each season and enjoys writing about the NFL and the Miami Dolphins in particular.
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Do the Miami Dolphins Have a Dan Marino Curse? Fan Perspective
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Top Five Miami Dolphins' Quarterback Busts Since Dan Marino Retired
