Account
Dolphins' Kenny Stills on Lack of Targets: 'I Can't Throw the Ball to Myself'
November 29, 2018
Miami Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills has not been putting up his typical numbers thus far in 2018, but he doesn't believe that's any fault of his own.
"I couldn't tell you exactly why I'm not getting more targets. I can tell you I'm getting open," Stills said Thursday, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. "There are other guys open on plays, too, that aren't getting hit. ... I can't throw the ball to myself."
Stills' numbers in Miami had improved each year entering 2018. After hauling in 58 catches for 847 yards and six touchdowns a season ago, he has just 20 receptions for 332 yards and four scores in 10 games this year.
He is averaging 3.7 targets per game this season, one year after he saw a career-high 105 targets.
Miami has the 27th-ranked passing attack as Ryan Tannehill and Brock Osweiler have split time under center in 2018. Osweiler spent five games as the starter while Tannehill dealt with a shoulder injury.
Stills' season started with a 106-yard performance in Week 1, but he has not caught more than three passes in a game nor topped 61 yards since.
More notably, Stills totaled five receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown in four appearances with Osweiler as the starter. The 5-6 Dolphins went 2-2 during that stretch.
While voicing his displeasure over how "open" he has been this season could ruffle some feathers, the veteran wideout clarified it stems from his desire to win.
"We all get frustrated but I'm a team guy, always have been," Stills added, per Salguero. "Whatever we got to do to win."
The good news for Stills and the Miami offense is Tannehill returned from injury in Week 12. Additionally, three of the team's final five games are at home and one road game (Week 15 at Minnesota) is indoors. Only the season finale in Buffalo figures to have any hint of winter weather that could affect the game plan.
The Dolphins are back in action Sunday when they host the Bills as they look to stay in the AFC wild-card hunt.