Lamar Miller's Limited Playing Time Makes No Sense

The Miami Dolphins have a talented, explosive, dynamic, versatile running back in Lamar Miller.

Someone should probably remind them, because they seem to forget on a weekly basis.

One person who hasn't forgotten is Miller's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who said Miami's use (or lack thereof) of Miller has been "disappointing," according to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald.

Miller is averaging 4.8 yards per carry, the eighth-highest average in the league among running backs. Yet, he is outside the top 10 in both rushing attempts and rushing yards. This despite reps for inferior backs like Daniel Thomas and Damien Williams. 

Rosenhaus elaborated on his grievances with the Dolphins' coaching staff and their underutilization of his client (via the Herald):

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Rosenhaus mentioned the idea that getting into rhythm is difficult for any back, including Miller, when he's getting only 10-12 carries a game. He made the point that at a time the Dolphins are struggling with their pass protection due to a troubled offensive line play, running the football more with Miller would be an easy way to keep defenders off the quarterback.

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It's hard to argue with that logic.

Forget partying like it's 1999, the Dolphins offensive line has been pass-blocking like it's 2013. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been sacked 14 times in the past four games, with six of those coming against the Baltimore Ravens last week. 

A healthy dose of the running game could help the issue.

Play type	Pass	Rush
Plays per game	35.5	25.2
Yards per game	217.7	115.9
Net yards per play	5.7	4.6

The Dolphins have attempted an average of 35.5 passes per game (13th in the league), while running the ball only 25.2 times per game (22nd). This might be an understandable disparity if the Dolphins were putting up gaudy numbers in the passing game, but their net average of only 5.7 yards per pass play ranks 28th in the league. Their 4.6 yards-per-carry average ranks seventh.

This isn't about splitting the workload, either. Miller averages only 12 rushing attempts per game. He should be seeing at least 15, possibly even more. Would those three, four, five or even six carries really make a difference in his energy level? Probably not as much of a difference as it would make on opposing defenses. 

Especially if those carries are coming away from less effective backs.

Player	Carries	Yards	YPA	TD
Lamar Miller	162	782	4.83	6
Daniel Thomas	41	162	3.95	1
Damien Williams	33	104	3.15	0

At 3.95 yards per carry, Thomas averages nearly a full yard less than Miller. At 3.15 per tote, Williams averages nearly a full two yards per carry less than Miller. 

But it's not just which backs they use, it's the fact that they will oftentimes ignore the running game. The Dolphins have run the ball 24 times in the second half in the past three games, which is tied for the second-fewest in the league, and they threw the ball 62 times in that span. They have run the ball 49 times in the past five games, compared to 100 pass attempts.

The Dolphins appear hellbent on utilizing Tannehill and the short and intermediate passing game. Their passing game is basically an extension of the running game, yet they often will ignore the actual running game.

Tannehill has been efficient this year with a high completion percentage of 66.7, but that doesn't mean much when a vast majority of his passes are within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Tannehill has thrown 287 passes within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, and only 142 that traveled farther than that.

The Dolphins still have three games to make better use of their rushing attack, and there could be some opportunities to rip off some long gains on the ground. The Dolphins rushed for 191 yards against the New England Patriots in Week 1, and while their pass defense has improved, their front seven remains susceptible to run plays.

The New York Jets have a top-five run defense, so the Dolphins could be in for some tough sledding if they want to get back to the ground game. They may, however, find success against the Minnesota Vikings' front seven, which ranks 23rd against the run. 

There's no doubt that Tannehill's continued progression will be the key if the Dolphins are going to become a perennial playoff contender, but a healthy dose of the running game could be a means toward that end. If the Dolphins are willing to get their noses dirty in the running game, their chances of success should improve.

That begins with getting their best back on the field as much as possible. 

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