Only Tepop understands Dolphin running backs

[ethurst22]

I'm not sure if this is an anti-fin post but here goes...

This is the fumbling line from the Sun-Sentinel on Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown

"-- Ricky Williams didn't fumble a fourth time. This is a concern going forward. Williams has fumbled once for every 50 carries in his career. By comparison, Ronnie Brown has fumbled once every 92 times".

Ricky developed a reputation as a fumbler in New Orleans. That's part of the reason why they drafted Deuce McAllister. This is why its best to have Brown and Williams sharing the mail.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Good points ethurst.  But if you really want to understand Dolphin running backs, call Tepop.  He knows everything.

[fyo]

While this should in no way be interpreted as a defense of Tepop, I'm not convinced fumbling (on a career scale) is anything but chance. Sure, some fumbles are due to poor technique, but so many fumbles are caused by random helmet or knee hits to the ball that would cause 99% of all backs to fumble. Considering how few fumbles there are in a career, it seems like the random ones are very likely to swamp out the "poor technique" ones.

[NADS]

I think weather was a factor in the Jags game.  Also, the more punishment Ricky takes the more likely he is to fumble so Hilliard needs a few more reps.  I think not having Cobbs for screens and such is hurting us. 

[fyo]

I still think POLITE should be getting the reps, not Hilliard. They're getting about the same ypc, despite POLITE being used mostly in short-yardage situations.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Hilliard has had every opportunity to stake his claim on the backup running back job, but other than his performance in the Carolina game, he has been very quiet. 

I was thinking that if Hilliard performed great in Ronnie Brown's absence, they'd let Brown go this offseason.  Unless he blows my mind these last three games, that is not going to happen. 

[Doc-phin]

Ricky truly has been prone to fumbling.  The only reason I haven't been nervous about this is his limited opportunity and the fact that most of his running has been to the outside since his return.  Now that his carry opportunities have dramatically increased, I have been shocked that it took until now for him to get back to some fumblin'.

Unfortunately, Lex struggled in this area in the preseason so I can't say he makes me feel any better.  Why do you think they had Polite do so much running the past two weeks? 

Side note - Polite can't handle this much work, he will break down if we don't start limiting his play time a little.  The weather may have had a little to do with it, but the Jags seemed to handle it just fine.

[bsfins]

Most of the "Fumble " prone back tend to carry the ball too low,away from their chest....Ricky does this alot....Most pictures of Ricky running,show him carrying the ball too low....Unless you do like a Tiki Barber,and consciously practice it...you'll go right back to the bad habits....Good Technique toting the rock,takes away alot of those flukey fumble opportunities...

[Sunstroke]

Carrying the ball more securely is a skill that can be taught. Ask Ahman Green or Tiki Barber. Once they learned to carry the ball up higher and tighter against their chest, the fumbling issues went away.

You can't stop every fumble...someone drops helmet on ball with enough force, that sucker WILL come out. But you can teach a RB to be less fumble-prone just by the way he carries the ball.

[dolfan13]

high and tight, football basic 101...

[Phishfan]

high and tight, football basic 101...

And also the way I like my women. 

[NADS]

It seems like Ricky used to fumble in the backfield because he was reaching for the ball and then getting hit.  Now it's downfield which has me a little more concerned.  I think they run him too much and need to get Hilliard involved more (beating a dead horse with this) even if there isn't much production.  I like the way Polite was used against the Jags.  Take the spotlight off Ricky and I think he'll perform better.