Can Miami Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas Shoulder The Load?
Sept 23, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; New York Jets free safety LaRon Landry (30) tackles Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas (33) during the fourth quarter at Sun Life Stadium. THe Jets won 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
Although the Miami Dolphins‘ star running back, Reggie Bush, has a minor knee injury, the team has stated that Bush may be ready to play as early as this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Bush suffered what appears to be a deep bruise on his left knee late in the second quarter against the New York Jets this past Sunday. It was tough to decipher what exactly happened to Bush on the play due to the swarm of Miami and New York players around the ball carrier. A helmet to the knee is the most likely scenario of what happened to the former USC Trojan.
Rookie Lamar Miller filled in admirably during the third quarter for Bush – but the ground and pound style of second year running back Daniel Thomas is what drove Miami’s rushing attack after losing Bush.
Daniel Thomas, as we all know, is a fumble prone running back. Early in the season, Thomas already has two fumbles – in TWO games. Not good. So far, DT has carried the ball 22 times for 80 yards (a terrible 3.6 yard per carry average) and 1 touchdown, while also notching 2 receptions for 43 yards (picking up two critical first downs).
Thomas has all of the ability in the world to be a lead option at the running back position. But one thing that seems to hold Thomas back is his lack of “want to”. Thomas seems like he simply does not want to be “the guy”. Miami’s coaching staff continues to put their faith in the former Kansas State star, and he continues to let them down by either missing an assignment, fumbling the football in crucial moments or showing up late to mandatory team activities – Thomas was given a pep talk from Head Coach Joe Philbin on HBO’s hit series, Hard Knocks.
Losing Reggie Bush may represent a large hole for this team if Daniel Thomas cannot carry the load. Which I believe he can do.
If Bush is not able to suit up against Arizona this weekend, DT and Lamar Miller will face a huge task of wearing down a tough Arizona defense. Arizona’s defense is no slouch and should NOT be taken lightly – right Michael Vick?
If the Miami Dolphins are going to find any success this season, it lies upon Daniel Thomas’ shoulders. With such a young Quarterback and minimal targets at wide receiver, the team must rely heavily on their strong point – their rushing attack (4th in the NFL at 175.7 yards rushing per game, averaging 5.0 yards per carry as a team).
As Mike Sherman says, Daniel Thomas you better get your….well I’ll let you fill in the rest.
As always, Keep your Fin’s up!!!!!
—-ALL SATISTICS TAKEN FROM NFL.COM—-