The Miami Dolphins' Plan for Distributing Running Back Touches

Mike McDaniel's Vision

Mike McDaniel, the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, has laid out his plan for distributing running back touches in the upcoming season. He aims to establish a balanced offense that utilizes multiple backs, similar to the approach he employed as the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator.

Running Back Committee Approach

McDaniel intends to implement a running back committee, with several players sharing carries and roles in the offense. This approach aims to keep all running backs fresh and healthy throughout the season, while also maximizing the team's production on the ground.

McDaniel's experience with the 49ers, who successfully employed a running back committee last season, influences his decision. In San Francisco, Raheem Mostert, Elijah Mitchell, and Deebo Samuel all played significant roles in the running game, contributing to the team's success.

The Dolphins have a talented group of running backs, including Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, Sony Michel, and Myles Gaskin. Each player brings unique skills to the table, and McDaniel plans to utilize their strengths in different situations.

McDaniel's running back committee approach aligns with modern NFL trends. Many teams have moved away from relying heavily on a single feature back, instead opting for a more balanced distribution of touches to keep players fresh and productive.

Benefits of the Running Back Committee

The running back committee approach offers several benefits for the Dolphins:

• Reduced risk of injuries: By distributing carries among multiple players, the Dolphins can reduce the risk of injuries to any one running back.
• Increased production: A running back committee can keep all backs fresh and productive, maximizing the team's overall rushing output.
• Versatility: With multiple running backs with different skill sets, the Dolphins can adapt their running game to different game situations and defensive schemes.

Challenges of the Running Back Committee

While the running back committee approach has its benefits, it also presents some challenges:

• Establishing a clear hierarchy: With multiple running backs sharing touches, it can be difficult to establish a clear hierarchy and determine who will get the most carries in key situations.
• Maintaining player morale: Some running backs may be unhappy with their reduced role in a committee, which can lead to locker room issues.
• Balancing individual goals with team success: Running backs may prioritize their individual statistics over team success, which can impact the team's overall performance.

Conclusion

Mike McDaniel's plan to implement a running back committee approach for the Miami Dolphins has the potential to be successful. By distributing touches among multiple talented running backs, the Dolphins can reduce the risk of injuries, increase production, and adapt to different game situations. However, challenges such as establishing a clear hierarchy and maintaining player morale must be carefully managed to ensure the success of this approach.