Adam Gase Comments on Jay Ajayi, Role of the Running Back in Dolphins Offense

The Miami Dolphins are in the process of installing a new offense under head coach Adam Gase, and he's adamant that he needs a strong all-around feature back to be a catalyst.  

Jay Ajayi has the chance to fill that No. 1 role, which the coach addressed while speaking with reporters Monday about his expectations for the Dolphins backfield in 2016, per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio:

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Any time you're playing that spot in this offense, you have to be able to do it all. It's not a one-trick pony type of offense. You have to be able to protect. You have to be able to run the ball. You have to be able to catch. So we really don't believe in, 'Hey, you're just a first- and second-down back.' I don't know what that means. We look for guys that can stay on the field all three downs because we're not looking to 'sub' personnel. We want guys that can be in great shape, stay out there and then, if we need to switch somebody out because we're having a long drive, then so be it. But really, whoever the guy is that we're starting with in the series, that's the guy I want to finish.

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After backing up Lamar Miller as a rookie fifth-round pick last year, Ajayi has the inside track to emerge as Miami's top ball-carrier since Miller left for the Houston Texans in free agency.

Ajayi had only 187 yards on 49 carries (3.8 average) during the 2015 campaign, along with seven receptions for 90 yards. That isn't stopping Gase and the Dolphins from having massive expectations for him this coming season, though. 

"Everyone else has opinions on what I can do and if I'm worthy enough, and I know how good I am. ... I feel like the game has definitely slowed down a lot more for me," said Ajayi recently, per ESPN.com's James Walker. "It's now working on the details, working on consistency. That's really what I'm harping on—being a lot more consistent with my game."

Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel recently expressed skepticism as to whether Ajayi would be up to snuff as a pass-catcher:

Gase had the luxury of dialing up plays as the offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears last season with an established stud in Matt Forte and a capable backup in Jeremy Langford at his disposal.

Prior to his stint in the Windy City, Gase was the OC for the Denver Broncos and ran an uptempo offense with legendary quarterback Peyton Manning at the controls. That lent itself to fewer substitutions, which is why he's counting on Ajayi to acclimate and thrive in his system.

Although Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill is under a lucrative contract, Miami can opt out of the deal after the 2016 season, per Spotrac. Largely unproven as a surefire franchise signal-caller, Tannehill also needs Ajayi to have a big year and take some pressure off of him.

The only notable move the Dolphins made to upgrade their running back depth chart was drafting Alabama product Kenyan Drake in the third round. The 22-year-old is explosive—he ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine compared to Ajayi's 4.57 time—and had 29 catches for the Crimson Tide in 2015.

While it's possible Drake could crack the rotation as a situational player, Gase seems determined to have Ajayi stay on the field for all three downs, provided he has the skill set and understanding of the offense to do so.