Dolphins Negotiate To Keep Lamar Miller
March 4th, 2016
Doug Martin is watching
A morning report out of Miami claims the Dolphins are wrestling with the agents of running back Lamar Miller, who represents a potential Tampa Bay replacement of Doug Martin.
Miller is two years younger than Martin, though has played as many seasons, four. Miller has about 25 percent fewer career carries than Martin and has had great production but never has been a bellcow back like the Muscle Hamster. And Miller never had a Pro Bowl season. Martin has two.
Per the Miami Herald, Miller is digging in for more than $5 million per year.
The Dolphins continue to work on resigning Lamar Miller, but the question is whether Miami will agree to give him more than $5 million per season, or whether he would settle for $5 million or slightly less. Miller, who averaged 15 touches last season, has said on WQAM that he ideally wants 20.
That was intriguing, considering the FOX Sports report that Miller is seeking more than Martin. Of course, that could have more to do with guaranteed money than annual salary.
The clock is tick, tick, ticking on the Bucs and their future at running back.
March 4th, 2016 at 8:10 am
I’ll take Miller over Martin. Faster, younger, less miles, and much better receiver out of the backfield.
March 4th, 2016 at 8:24 am
Miller is going to get his payday and I suspect it will be Martin’s contract that will eventually set the bar.
But he’s not the between the tackle workhorse that Martin is. And this is exactly what this team needs. Chuck Sims is our receiving back.
If Koetter wants to keep this a vertical scheme you need to have some punch underneath.
March 4th, 2016 at 8:45 am
I thought that it was reported that Miller wanted more than Martin. If he’s only looking for slightly more than 5 mil a year he’s definitely a possible replacement for Martin. That seems like a reasonable asking price.
March 4th, 2016 at 8:46 am
Mornin biff it is my belief that that is why they spoke to the kid from Cal on more than one occasion. He has the size to play between the tackles and is a natural pass catcher. Just watch the tape on his 92 run after about a 8 yards reception. He run over a guy and proceeds to stretch away from everyone one else on the field. Dual threat is what this offense is going to require. And don’t give me Sims,Lasco’s tape proves he’s more than Sims between the tackles.
March 4th, 2016 at 8:51 am
@Biff
what was the “punch underneath” when Head Coach Koetter was running the 4-vert offense in Atlanta??? There was no dominate RB when he was OC there!!!
March 4th, 2016 at 9:05 am
I’ve had Miller on my FF team so I’ve watched he closely last year and definitely don’t believe hes better than Doug. Miller takes 12-18 carries to get warmed up so I understand why he wants more carries. I think Miami’s best Rb going forward is Ajayi.
March 4th, 2016 at 9:18 am
I wouldn’t mind if Koetter brought in Jacquizz Rodgers for some depth in case Sims get hurt or Rainy doesn’t return. I think he is much better than he has shown so far in the NFL.
March 4th, 2016 at 9:24 am
Mr. realist
Micheal Turner and MJD were pretty dominate. Granted Turner was better before Koetter got to Atlanta but still a very good back.
March 4th, 2016 at 9:31 am
This running back talk is making me angry, Martin is probably gone blah blah blah. This one or that one is better. The fans are even turning on him. Thanks to those who support him staying with the Bucs.
March 4th, 2016 at 9:54 am
@ gotbucs
I gotta disagree with your overall assessment on this one. The NFL is full of RB’s similar to Lamar Miller. That’s not meant as a slight, but just saying you can find a back like him relatively easy (in fact the Bucs already have one on roster in Sims). In my opinion anyway guys like Martin are not as easy to come by…a guy who has the endurance to carry the ball 25+ times a game week in and week out to wear a defense down, and most important, can make yards after contact on his own. Anyone watching Doug run last year had to see he was running like a man possessed. He fought hard for every yard and put himself on a position to succeed with his off season body conditioning. When healthy I would say Doug is definitely a top 10 NFL every down back, maybe even top 5? The Bucs don’t usually get a lot of players worth resigning past their rookie contracts, it would be missed opportunity to let one of the few we’ve had in recent years go to another team.
March 4th, 2016 at 10:17 am
Mr. DB55
Head Coach Koetter had Turner 1 year ( his last year in the league) and he was a shell of his former shelf!!! 3.6 yard avg ( over a yard under his avg) and only 800 yards. hardly dominate!!!! In Atlanta he did not need a dominate running game!!
March 4th, 2016 at 10:27 am
Toesontheline he was running like a man trying to get paid. Fan37 those of us that seen to be more accepting of the fact that DM may no longer be a member of this team do not feel that way because we don’t want him back. Its just we’re reading the tea leaves and noticing things that tell us this program may have already settled on going in a different direction.
March 4th, 2016 at 10:32 am
Realist!!! They’ll soon see, when they see the vision play out on the field they’ll be more accepting then. I’ll go so far as to say even if DM does resign with the Buccs I’m willing to bet money they still draft the Cal kid. He is the prototype for Koetter’s scheme man.
March 4th, 2016 at 10:39 am
Guys, Koetter is going to work with the players strengths and is known to be highly adaptive. This isn’t Atlanta. Example, Tony Gonzolez was used extensively more than any Buc TE because he was a better target.
Point is, here, today, Tampa Bay, if he says he wants an explosive offense, you need to run between the tackles, set up play action and to keep the back 7 honest.
March 4th, 2016 at 10:47 am
Why take a chance on an unknown from Cal, meaning you have no idea what this kid will do in the league, I remember Trent Richardson was taken before Dougie. I’m not saying don’t draft the guy, but not as an unknown replacement. Doug was second to AP for one reason, because our defense put us in pass first mode in about half of our games, the games when Martin rarely saw the ball in the second half, if at all. In a league where you say prove it and I’ll pay you, Doug has done that and he plays with heart, desire and determination, we would all possibly agree that Miller may be more athletic, Doug has what Jameis is talking about, that’s will.
March 4th, 2016 at 11:01 am
Since there has been talk that Miller might be an alternative to Doug Martin if he moves on, I think the $5M number is encouraging for the Buc’s. If Miller and Miami contract with say $6M that sort of sets market Parameters which Doug is going to encounter next week. More reason why he may settle with Tampa for $6.5 +/- and incentives. Bottom line Doug remains a Buc. Would still look for a rookie RB for the future.
March 4th, 2016 at 11:03 am
@Noles- I know you think that Koetter is going”more” vertical than last year and that may be the case. However, the success of the passing game is highly dependent of a solid run game. Whether that be Martin, a known commodity, or Lasco, I don’t see how the position can be overlooked.
Forget about Miller! I’m glad the Dolphins are trying to retain him. He’s half the back that Martin is! And, I’m tired of arguing.
March 4th, 2016 at 11:29 am
To be honest tho biff Tony is a future HOFer. Koetter was going to inevitably use that weapon. Yesterday we touched on that position my belief is that is why he spoke glowingly about tight end at that the combine. Our opinions are not that far off, I understand the importance of running the football. Where we differ is I think he wants what could be defined as a hybrid back. One who is capable of running between the tackles and a natural pass catcher. Not just 3rd down but 1st and 2nd as well. And again the Cal is physically more than Sims in that regard.
March 4th, 2016 at 11:31 am
Rrs I get what you sayin but they spoke to the kid at the combine more than once for a reason bro.
March 4th, 2016 at 11:48 am
Realist
Si senor. Estas correcto.
March 4th, 2016 at 12:04 pm
Nole, the point about Gonzolez was that Koetter is flexible and play to his roster’s strengths. He’s not try to make us the Falcons South. (see backstabbed basement dweller) if you’ve got the talent use it and make a defense stop it.
In Tampa, we’ve got some big bodied guys who can point the football. A good toolbox to go vertical with Winston’s strong arm. If a D needs to roll a saftey over the top, that’s one less guy to assist underneath.
If you’ve got th
March 4th, 2016 at 12:05 pm
oops, If you’ve got this and a inside run game, you can most always move the chains.
March 4th, 2016 at 12:59 pm
@realist…that’s my whole issue with dirk and his offense…theres no ground and pound smash month aspect to it…its strictly 4 verts and swing passes to the rb…doug could’ve been the leading rusher but he abandoned the run on many occasions last year…his offense is too finesse…I hope we get a deal done that pays martin 6.5mil a year but we may have to overpay to get doug back which may not be a bad thing…I rather overpay for a player that knows the system and we know his production rather than paying for the unknown…GO BUCS!!!
March 4th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
I’d rather have Martin. Miller can’t run between the takes like Martin can. I’ve read a lot of comments about Martin being replaceable, that RBs are a dime a dozen, blah blah blah.
But did you really watch those games closely last year? Look how much of Martin’s gains came AFTER contact. Look how many times he changed direction in the backfield (sometimes 2 or 3 times), to find a hole or seam because the o-line didn’t open one up. Look how many times we had 6 down lineman playing, and it was still Martin making something out of nothing.
We already have a back with great hands and great speed in Charles Simms. We need a bruiser that can run through the tackles. He’s certainly no Alstott, but Martin is tough, and racks up yards after contact. He has great quick-twitch burst, but does not have the break away speed at the end of his runs.
March 4th, 2016 at 1:33 pm
I hear some keep using that term “ground£”but man o man all I can think about is how nasty that”Greatest show on turf”was wit Marshall Faulk in that backfield.