This is a moderated phorum for the CIVILIZED discussion of the Miami Dolphins. In this phorum, there are rules and moderators to make sure you abide by the rules. The moderators for this phorum are JC and Colonel.
Is it just me or does anyone else cringe every time Ballage gets the ball? I know the run blocking stinks, but Ballage has absolutely no elusiveness and no vision.He seems to look for the biggest group of defenders and runs into them. Hard to imagine Laird or Gaskin could be any worse. Hopefully he's benched next week.
Was shaking my head on so many of his runs "if you'd only cut left" or "don't run right into the group of defenders". Don't know much about his college career, but guessing he just overpowered a bunch of smaller, less talented defenders building in his mind that that was how to run.
Probably just immaturity, but read somewhere that he basically said "I got nothin' to prove" when asked. Umm...you average about 2 YPC. In this game you got 20 carries and even 4 catches, for 0.5 YPCatch. Those numbers are the very definition of "got something to prove".
Ken Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ballage needs a hole to run through simple. With
> good blocking he will hit home runs.
>
> He’s not a shifty type back. He’ll improve
> however.
No doubt , just improving the line will make everyone better.lots of potential everywhere I look on this offense. Our defense......not so much.
Ken Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ballage needs a hole to run through simple. With
> good blocking he will hit home runs.
>
> He’s not a shifty type back. He’ll improve
> however.
I suppose that's true to a certain extent, but a running back needs to create yards after contact to be effective. It's pretty rare that you'll have a gaping hole to run through, but a good back will make defenders miss and get some yards on his own. Ballage isn't shifty, runs too upright, and lacks vision. I agree with tsstamper and saw the same thing. There were some plays where if Ballage would've cut a certain way instead of plowing into the heart of the defense, he might've gotten some positive yards. Given the ineffectiveness of the offensive line in run blocking, I think we need a shiftier back who can at least look for a crease rather than running his head into a brick wall like Ballage. I'd like to see Gaskin or Laird get some more playing time. I've seen what Ballage can do, and it isn't pretty. I also don't like his attitude. Before the game he said that he didn't have anything to prove. Seriously? I'd say he has everything to prove. He was beaten out by a guy who wasn't even supposed to make the roster (Walton).
Unfortunately I missed Sunday's but everything you say about Ballage is true and was known prior to him being drafted. He is a straight line power back no shifting or juking. Straight line power and vision. He needs an oline that pops holes and gaps to get him that space.
2 people on my off season wish list Brandon Scherff f/a and Tyler Biadasz C WI. 2 Olineman that just impose their wills on D Linemen in the run game.
>
> 2 people on my off season wish list Brandon
> Scherff f/a and Tyler Biadasz C WI. 2 Olineman
> that just impose their wills on D Linemen in the
> run game.
Ballage uses his speed to get through holes that's why there has to be one in the first place...maybe the coaches can develop him a bit more and improve his power game. He's got the size to be more of a power guy.
mizzou15 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Get him the interior linemen to pop open those
> holes and get on the linebackers and his game will
> be fine.
I don't like to rely on Wikipedia, but these figures do match what I recall about Lousaka:
2008: 11 of 12 first downs when running on 3rd or 4th down and one to go.
2009: 16 of 16 on 3rd or 4th and one.
2010: 14 of 15 on 3rd of 4th and one.
That is CSONKA - esque reliability, guys. Damn near automatic, except for 2009, when he WAS automatic.
Irks me to no end that the NFL basically has abandoned the fullback position. I know the newer rules favor passing on every down, but why not have a smashmouth fullback on the roster?
JC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't like to rely on Wikipedia, but these
> figures do match what I recall about Lousaka:
>
> 2008: 11 of 12 first downs when running on 3rd or
> 4th down and one to go.
>
> 2009: 16 of 16 on 3rd or 4th and one.
>
> 2010: 14 of 15 on 3rd of 4th and one.
>
>
> That is CSONKA - esque reliability, guys. Damn
> near automatic, except for 2009, when he WAS
> automatic.
>
> Irks me to no end that the NFL basically has
> abandoned the fullback position. I know the newer
> rules favor passing on every down, but why not
> have a smashmouth fullback on the roster?
TreasurecoastPhinsfan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> .
>
>
> If you want to dream......Grab TUA hurt in the
> second round . Or move up in the later 1st round .
That could up being a nightmare. Besides, wouldn't he stay in college another year at this point?
I think Ballage is getti g a bad rap because of that Oline. Neither him or Fitz get a second for a play to even develop. Both have to just improvise and That's probably his shortfall.That said D'Andre Swift*, RB, Georgia
Height: 5-9. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49. Should be there when we pick first. If OL Andrew Thomas is gone Swift would make a great top ten 1st rounder.
Yeah our rushing game really took off when Ballege went out.
How the hell can anyone expect anything more from a rb running behind our oline. Improve the line and the backs will improve. Take away Laird's longest run from last game and his rush avg is 2.2 A 37 year old qb was our leading rusher against the Jets. Against the Eagles Laird did not avg 1 yard per rush.
Its the oline. Ballage and Laird can play. Line cannot open holes.