Miami Dolphins must play Jonas Gray

The Miami Dolphins, after a barrage of roster moves, have re-signed Jonas Gray…again.

This time, the team must properly utilize Gray by actually using him. Not burying him on the practice squad and leaving him inactive. Head coach Joe Philbin needs to play Gray.

Last season, Lamar Miller’s advanced stats placed him among the elite level rushers in the league. His key stat was success rate, the percentage of plays directly involving him that positively impacts the score of the game. Miller ranked sixth in the league and second among rushers who played all 16 games.

With only eight games to his credit last season, Gray finished the season third in success rate with 52.6, a full 2.2 points higher than Miller.

Now it’s time for the coaching staff to properly utilize both backs in situations that play to their respective strengths. Gray is a north-south runner. Philbin needs to use him in short yardage, ground-and-pound fashion.

Meanwhile Miller needs room to make plays. His best attempts usually come from the passing game, read options or counters.

Using Gray in this fashion will keep a banged up Miller from having to grind out a small amount of yards because there is no one else to turn to on the roster. On a team that was supposed to have depth at running back, Gray has become the only other option.

Don’t mistake this as a call to have Miller replaced by Gray. Last season with the Patriots, Gray only carried for 90 rushing attempts. Conversely, Miller had 216 carries.

One is the starter and lead back. The other needs to be a change of pace rusher who can help a paltry ground game get slightly tougher.

As it stands now, Miller is hurt and Damien Williams is not the answer to step in should the starting rusher be hampered by injury or needs to miss time.

Philbin and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor need to alter their scheme to make Gray fit because the skills he can provide can help this offense find its footing and not have to depend on Ryan Tannehill, Jarvis Landry and Rishard Matthews.

Will they be willing to do that? That remains the question only to be answered Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.