Charles Clay: Dolphins’ Offensive MVP

Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

A few weeks ago, leading up to the Carolina Panthers game, I wrote an article begging OC Mike Sherman to utilize TE/FB Charles Clay more in Miami’s offensive game plan.  Since then, in 3 games Clay was targeted 7 times once and 10 times twice.  Clay has caught 18 of those 27 targets for 204 yards (average of 11.3 YPC) and 2 TD’s.  In Sunday’s win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Clay had a season best 7 receptions and 2 scores.  His final touchdown catch was nothing short of incredible, as he avoided two Steelers and used his balance to somehow stay upright and walk into the end zone in what was ultimately the game winning touchdown.  Miami’s record during Clay’s three game increase in targets?  An impressive 2-1, and had the Dolphins stopped Cam Newton and 4th and 10, they would be 3-0 during this stretch.  For this reason, Charles Clay is my Miami Dolphins MVP on offense.

Coming into this season, I would have chosen WR Mike Wallace or TE Dustin Keller has Miami’s most valuable offensive target.  In fact, Charles Clay would have been towards the bottom of my list.  However, Clay has proven to be Tannehill’s most consistent target, and has all the skills.  His hands are arguably the best on the team and rival those of Brian Hartline, and Clay has the ability to lineup anywhere.  He has also shown great speed down the sideline, demonstrated in Sunday’s victory over Pittsburgh.  On a crucial 3rd and 4, Tannehill lofted one of his better passes of the day down the right sideline.  Clay used his speed to beat his defender and fall under the pass perfectly, also flashing his catching skills and versatility.

Outside of simply catching balls as a receiver, Clay has proven to be effective in the running game, whether as a power back on short yardage situations or a blocker.  We’ve seen him pass block and run block efficiently, and he has even scored a TD via the run.  The point is, when Miami needs something done on offense, Clay is the guy to do it.  His intangibles and flexibility make him invaluable to this team, and I think Mike Sherman and Joe Philbin have finally realized his worth, as Miami has begun to target Clay more and more.

This season, the Miami offense has been scrutinized and criticized more than any other facet of this organization.  What with the problems along the offensive line and the fact that Ryan Tannehill spends more time on his back than he does on his feet (although that has gotten better these past few weeks), the Miami offense has been the target of this team’s problems.  Because of these distractions and outside problems, Charles Clay has slipped under the media’s radar.  He is by no means a household name, and I don’t think he should be yet.  Heck, he is barely recognized among this Miami Dolphins organization.  But, if Clay can continue his stellar season, I think he will be one of Miami’s main prospects when it comes to extending contracts this off season.  Charles Clay can play and to me, he is the MVP of this offense.  And to that I say,

FINS UP!