Tag: devon achane

Dolphins offense reminds Raiders HC Antonio Pierce of Greatest Show on Turf

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce drew a strong comparison between the Dolphins offense and that of the Rams ‘Greatest Show on Turf’.

Much has been made this week about the sheer speed the Dolphins possess on offense. With the likes Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert, and De’Von Achane, they have elite speed. Or as Raiders DC Patrick Graham put it ‘they can run-run‘.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce played in the league for nine years from 2001-09. And when he was asked Friday what offense the Dolphins offense reminds him of, he made a strong comparison.

“The Rams. On the turf,” Pierce said referencing the St Louis Rams’ Greatest Show on Turf offense. “Like that was real. When they were rolling with Kurt Warner and [Tory] Holt and [Isaac] Bruce and Marshall Faulk. Even later on down the road, didn’t even matter if it was on grass, they were fast. Like it was on you right now. The speed is legit. You can’t mimic it. We’re doing the best we can in practice.

“But the good part about it like I said, we went against these guys last year and really felt the speed of Hill and Waddle and those guys over there. So we understand that, and we respect it. But at the at the end of the day, with speed you have put hands on them, right? Physicality needs to show up.”

It’s one thing to have to deal with great speed at receiver where the defense lines up their fastest players. It’s another thing to then also have to account for the running backs coming out of the backfield as well as making plays in the passing game.

De’Von Achane leads the team in rushing (457) and yards from scrimmage (774). He’s a legit game breaker whose career has been mired by injuries, including when the Raiders faced the Dolphins last season.

“Just dynamic. Everything’s explosive. Everything’s a big gain,” Pierce said of Achane. “Everything’s an explosive gain in the run game, the pass game, route-running. I think, obviously you look at the size, you think a smaller guy, but he runs like a big boy. He runs behind his pads, does a good job. He gets on you fast, and the arm tackles is not going to work with a player like this. You have to chest him up. You have to just put the body blows on him to slow him down throughout the game.”

That’s your Holt, Bruce, and Faulk comps right there. Tua Tagovailoa is a far cry from Kurt Warner, but with those weapons he may not have to be.

‘They can run run’: Raiders DC discusses preparing for Dolphins speed on offense

The Raiders know they will be dealing with serious speed vs the Dolphins week 11. They will set out to keep from getting burnt.

This season, the Raiders have seen a lot of opposing teams run away with games. With their trip to Miami this week, they will be trying to stop the Dolphins players from literally running away from them.

“One, you’ve got to be able to find a way to match up with their speed,” said Raiders DC Patrick Graham. “Whether it’s staying on top, whether it’s to run with them, you’ve got to figure out a way. There’s true speed out there on the field at a number of positions.”

The main focus in terms of speed will be wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Both of whom are established burners who are electric with or without the ball in their hands.

For the Raiders, it will be hoping that they have enough speed on defense to match up with them.

“There’s several guys that we got on the defense that can run,” Graham continued. “Now, I’m not saying I want to line up and do a foot race with anybody from Miami. These guys can run run. When I say true speed I mean true speed out there on the field. And it’s not limited to [Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle].

“So, for us as a defensive staff, we’ve got to figure out the best way to deploy the defense and try to keep this speed under control a little bit. Take away the space, staying on top, things of that nature. Jakorian [Bennett] in terms of Jakorian and Jack [Jones]. All of our defensive backs. We got guys that can run too, so it’s going to be a fun game in terms of just being able to challenge ourselves. I think that’s the big thing for the players. It’s a good challenge.”

When Graham mentions that the Dolphins’ speed is not limited to Hill and Waddle, he is thinking primarily of running back De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert. And you could throw QB Tua Tagovailoa in there as well.

In other words, the Dolphins have many different ways they can beat you.

Al Davis was all about speed on both sides of the ball. But the classic Raiders were also all about hard nosed football. For the Raiders, if they can’t match their speed, they must outplay them in physicality.

“One thing Flo (Brian Flores) used to always say ‘You can’t ever forget about the physicality of this game,” Graham continued. “I don’t care how fast it looks, how much they try to make it — whether it’s run and shoot, whether it’s whatever they want to call the different offenses — NFL football is a physical game, especially as you start to move into November and you’re starting to ramp up into after Thanksgiving. You can’t ever forget the physicality of the game.”

So, it will be important for the Raiders to remind the Dolphins this is a physical game. However they need to do that.

What we learned from the Bills’ Week 9 win vs. Dolphins

What we learned from the Bills’ Week 9 win vs. Dolphins

The Buffalo Bills continued their 2024 schedule with a Week 9 win over the Miami Dolphins, 30-27.

The Bills (7-2) needed a full-team effort to fend off a hungry Dolphins team (2-6) trying to turn their season around. Ultimately, it took a long field goal with just seconds on the clock for the Bills to get it done at home.

After two-straight blowout victories, Buffalo certainly were tested by their division rival. As the season unfolds, we are learning more and more about this year’s Bills team.

Here are five things we learned from Week 9’s win over the Dolphins:

Tyler Bass’ morale at an all-time high

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Kicker Tyler Bass played the role of hero for the Bills in Week 9. His 61-yarder with 5 seconds left proved to be the game-winner. It was not only a career-long for Bass, but it broke a Bills franchise record previously held by Steve Christie (59-yarder in 1993).

Given the inconsistency from Bass recently, the kick proved huge for his morale and the team as a whole. After receiving the game ball post-game, Bass got emotional when talking about his teammates having his back through the ups and downs.

Defense was gashed

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The Bills defense had a rough outing. Through the air, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was 25-of-28 and only took one sack. And on the ground, running backs De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert averaged more than five yards per carry.

If it wasn’t for a couple of red zone stops and a crucial forced fumble from Buffalo cornerback Taron Johnson, we could have a different conversation this week regarding both the Bills and Dolphins.

After all, this was a desperate Dolphins team that has always had the potential to explode on offense. Expect Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to right the ship on defense going forward.

Ray Davis continues to flash

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Running back Ray Davis continues to make the most of his opportunities in his rookie year. On the ground in Week 9, Davis averaged five yards a pop on his four carries. But, his real impact was through the air.

He took two passes for 70 yards, one being a 63-yard catch and run for a touchdown. That’s 90 yards from scrimmage on just six touches.

His long touchdown gave the Bills a seven-point lead late in the third quarter:

Allen still owns Miami

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Bills quarterback Josh Allen took a couple of big hits and missed a few throws, but ultimately controlled the game throughout. He was 25-of-39 passing for 235 yards and posted three passing touchdowns and one interception.

If it wasn’t for a drop by receiver Keon Coleman deep in the red zone that resulted in an interception, he would have had four touchdowns and zero picks.

He didn’t have to put the cape on and be Superman much, but he did when the offense needed it. He slipped away to scramble for 14 yards on a 3rd and 12 at the end of the first half, and he also made a remarkable touchdown throw to tight end Quintin Morris as he was being tackled by two defenders:

Winning in different ways

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This wasn’t an easy day for the Bills by any means. The Dolphins had their backs against the wall while preparing for it, albeit was just Week 9. It was nearly a must-win game for them, and they played like it.

They had more first downs than the Bills (26-24), more total yards (373-325), more yards per play (6.2-5.5), more time of possession (31:53-28:07), and they converted better in the red zone (3/4-2/5).

Buffalo has grown accustomed to overpowering teams on offense and defense. In this one, they won differently. They only had four penalties, forced a crucial turnover when they needed it, and special teams came through in a big way.

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Causes for concern as the Bills face the Dolphins in Week 9

Causes for concern as the Bills face the Dolphins in Week 9

The Buffalo Bills will host the Miami Dolphins in Week 9 at Highmark Stadium.

The Bills (6-2) and Dolphins (2-5) meet for the second time this year and have largely been trending in different directions.

In their first meeting, the Bills won convincingly, 31-10. This week, the Bills are favored by six points.

Even though Buffalo blew Miami out in Week 2 and is favored to win this time around, there are always a few things that make executing difficult each week. The Bills will need to be wary of them.

Here are three causes for concern for the Bills in Week 9:

Miami has their QB back

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The Dolphins looked like a bottom-of-the-barrel NFL team without their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. After he left Week 2’s loss to the Bills due to a concussion, the offense fell apart as he was forced to miss the next four games. In the games without him, they averaged just 10 points per game.

He made his return last week and the Dolphins scored 27 points in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He is the difference maker for the Dolphins. He and head coach Mike McDaniel haven’t had success against the Bills, but with him under center, they can’t be taken lightly.

Dolphins running game

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Even though the Dolphins have had poor offensive performances as of late, they have still found success running the football. Especially with second-year running back De’Von Achane.

Achane has averaged 87 rushing yards per game and almost seven yards per carry in the Dolphins’ last two games.

In the Week 2 loss to the Bills, Achane was the lone bright spot on the offense. He ran for 96 yards and added 69 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air.

Running back Raheem Mostert has hurt the Bills in the past, too. And they have another speedster to look out for in rookie Jaylen Wright.

The desperation factor

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If not now for the Dolphins, then when?

The Dolphins need a win in the worst way. Slipping to 2-6 would have them toeing the line of a forgotten season just eight games in. Frustrations are mounting for both the team and its fans.

The Dolphins have a tall task to go into Buffalo and come away with the win. The last time they won in Orchard Park, Rex Ryan was in charge of the Bills. But, they will be emptying the clip in hopes of turning their season around. Expect different looks and desperate measures from the Dolphins.

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Bills vs. Dolphins: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 9

Bills vs. Dolphins: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 9

The Buffalo Bills (6-2) will host the Miami Dolphins (2-5) in their upcoming Week 9 matchup.

In this divisional clash, the games within the game will make all the difference.

Here are three key matchups to watch during Sunday’s Bills-Dolphins contest:

Keon Coleman/Amari Cooper vs. Miami CBs

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The Dolphins have one of the better cornerback duos in the NFL. Jalen Ramsey is still performing like one of the best in the NFL and Kendall Fuller is no slouch either. According to Pro Football Focus, Ramsey grades as the 13th-best corner in the league while Fuller grades 42nd-best.

They are going to make the Bills’ boundary receivers work for their catches. Insert Coleman and Cooper. We know what Cooper is capable of at wideout, and in the last couple of weeks, Coleman has emerged as well. These two can make catches with the best of them, and with Ramsey and Fuller in coverage, they might need to come down with some contested catches.

De’Von Achane vs. Bills’ front seven

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Running back De’Von Achane is performing well despite Miami’s recent offensive struggles. He has averaged 87 rushing yards and almost seven yards per carry in their last two games. And, when the Bills visited Miami in Week 2, he was the lone bright spot for the Dolphins on offense.

In Week 2 he accounted for 165 yards from scrimmage and scored their only touchdown. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry and caught all seven of his targets.

The Bills have had an up-and-down season defending the run. They’ve had some games where they can’t defend it and some games where they can. In all, they rank middle of the pack in the NFL, allowing 120 yards per game on the ground. Last week, they completely shut down one of the better runners in the league, Kenneth Walker III, so it will be interesting to see which form of the Bills’ run defense shows up in Week 9.

Bills offensive line vs. Dolphins defensive line

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Despite losing standout edge defender Jaelen Phillips to a season-ending injury earlier this year, the Dolphins still have a solid group on the defensive line. Calais Campbell, described by PFF as an “ageless wonder,” is still wreaking havoc on the interior of the line. Zach Sieler is another guy who can move bodies on the interior, but he is questionable with a facial injury.

On the edge, Emmanuel Ogbah and 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson have shown flashes at times. The Dolphins’ defensive line currently ranks 13th-best in the NFL according to PFF. They have dropped seven spots in the rankings after back-to-back disappointing efforts.

The Bills offensive line is looking elite at the moment, coming off of a one-sack performance against the Seattle Seahawks. They have given up only ten total sacks in 2024 which ranks best in the NFL. According to PFF, the offensive line as a whole currently ranks seventh-best. There will be a lot of talent fighting in the trenches when the Bills are on offense.

3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Dolphins in Week 9

3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Dolphins in Week 9

The Buffalo Bills will play the Miami Dolphins at home at Highmark Stadium in Week 9.

The Bills (6-2) are looking to build on a dominant stretch of football. They’ve blown out both the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks in the past two weeks. The Dolphins (2-5) are looking to turn their season around after losing five of their last six.

Buffalo is favored by six points in this one. Miami will be looking to avenge their Week 2 loss to the Bills, so Buffalo will need to execute their game plan to pick up their seventh win of the year.

With that, here are three keys to a Bills win in Week 9:

Keep spreading it around on offense

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One thing that has worked in the Bills’ favor in 2024 is that defenses don’t necessarily know what to expect from them. It used to be a lot of receiver Stefon Diggs through the air and quarterback Josh Allen’s legs on the ground. Now, anyone on the offense can heat up at any moment. They have leaned into the “everybody eats” concept, and it has worked wonders for the most part.

In Week 2 against the Dolphins, the Bills had five different ball carriers and they targeted nine different players in the passing game. Given that it was early in the year, the Dolphins weren’t sure what to expect. Now, with the addition of wide receiver Amari Cooper, Buffalo added another layer of unpredictability. Not only is it good for team morale if they lean into using everybody on offense, but it will keep the Miami defense guessing.

Limit chunk plays

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Although the Dolphins’ offense has struggled mightily in recent weeks, with QB Tua Tagovailoa under center, Miami can put a ton of stress on the defense. They still possess an absurd amount of speed at the skill positions. They have a handful of running backs and pass catchers that can take one touch to the house at any moment.

Linebackers and cornerbacks especially will have to stay disciplined and not fall for some of the eye candy that the Dolphins offense has shown in the past. Also, although it is hard to get hands on some of these guys, tackling needs to be consistent. Having sound tackling from the defense, much like last week against Seattle, will limit big gains from their speedsters.

Throw off Tagovailoa’s timing

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Tagovailoa is a pure rhythmic and anticipatory thrower of the football. He likes to get the ball out quickly and throw it into passing windows. They are at their best when he has a clean pocket and can just take a quick drop back and get rid of it. What can throw off the timing of that offense is giving some unusual looks that make him pat the ball for an extra half-second.

The Bills don’t blitz much as a team, and they probably won’t completely change their identity based on just one opponent. But, a few more blitzes and some creativity in the front seven would go a long way. Linemen dropping into coverage, stunts, and blitzing/bluffing from linebackers could cause problems for the timing of the Dolphins’ offense. Getting hands up on the defensive line will also make it harder for Tagovailoa to navigate some of the passing lanes.

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Texas A&M junior Trey Zuhn III chosen as SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week

The last time that an Aggies duo won SEC awards in the same week was in Nov. 2022 with Dolphins RB De’Von Achane & junior QB Conner Weigman.

Texas A&M junior offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III and redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed led the charge towards a 33-20 win on Saturday afternoon at Florida to begin the conference schedule.

The Aggies (2-1, 1-0 SEC) pair were respectively effective to each earn an accolade on Monday. Zuhn received SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. Reed was selected as the SEC Freshman of the Week.

The last time that a Texas A&M duo won conference awards in the same week was on Nov. 28, 2022. Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane and current junior QB Conner Weigman brought home the SEC Offensive Player of the Week and freshman accolades, respectively.

Behind Zuhn and the burley boys up front, the Aggies rushed for 310 yards at 5.6 yards per clip. The team captain leads the SEC with only 6.0 tackles for loss allowed and second in sacks allowed with 2.0 thus far.

Next up for the Aggies is a matchup at Kyle Field with Bowling Green on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

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Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed selected as SEC Freshman of the Week

Texas A&M led Florida 20-0 at halftime and 33-7 with 5:29 left in the third period by throwing Marcel Reed into the swamp, where he thrived.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed excelled in his first career start, leading the Texas A&M football team to a 33-20 win at Florida to begin conference action this past weekend.

Reed played so well that he was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday. He was joined by a teammate, junior Trey Zuhn III, who earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week.

The Aggies (2-1, 1-0 SEC) led 20-0 at halftime and 33-7 with 5:29 left in the third quarter by throwing Reed into the swamp, where he thrived. Reed completed 11-of-17 attempts for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns. He added 13 carries for 84 yards and 1 tuddy.

The last time that a Texas A&M duo won conference awards in the same week was on Nov. 28, 2022. Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane and current junior QB Conner Weigman brought home the SEC Offensive Player of the Week and freshman accolades, respectively.

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While Weigman‘s career in College Station has been limited due to injuries, Reed’s brilliance may be creating a controversy under center in Aggieland.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Miami Dolphins RB & Texas A&M alumnus De’Von Achane to surpass elite Heisman Trophy winner

Dolphins RB De’Von Achane showcased elite speed during his rookie season in the NFL and the rest of the nation is starting to take notice.

Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane showcased elite speed during his rookie season in the NFL and the rest of the nation is starting to take notice of what Texas A&M fans have known for a while.

In only 11 games last year, Achane accomplished a feat that took an elite Heisman Trophy winner over 11 campaigns to accomplish. With five 40-yard rushes in 2023, he tied the total achieved by longtime New Orleans Saints RB and USC alumnus Reggie Bush during his entire professional career.

Additionally, the Aggies alumnus is already among the top 10 fastest players in the league according to ratings in the upcoming Madden NFL 25 video game. With a speed of 96, Achane is 1-of-3 Dolphins in the upper echelon, alongside wide receivers Tyreek Hill (99) and Jaylen Waddle (97). He has the same rating as three WR: Rashid Shaheed of the Saints, DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks and Christian Watson of the Green Bay Packers.

Miami begins the 2024 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars at noon CT on Sept. 8 at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

How to address Miami Dolphins RBs in fantasy football drafts

Here’s how to prioritize this backfield on draft day.

Under head coach Mike McDaniel, the Miami Dolphins offense is predicated on one thing: speed. The club seemingly has track stars at every position, and that includes running back. Last year, it was led by veteran Raheem Mostert and third-round pick De’Von Achane. Despite that tandem combining to miss eight games, the Dolphins still ranked sixth in the NFL in rushing (135.8 yards per game) while finishing first in both yards per carry (5.1) and touchdowns (27; tied).

Even with that success, Miami invested in its backfield during the offseason, selecting RB Jaylen Wright with the 120th overall pick. He adds more depth to a position that also has another steady veteran presence in the form of Jeff Wilson Jr., who has over 2,000 career yards on the ground.

With so many options, it’ll be interesting to see how McDaniel deploys them. Keeping that in mind, let’s look at what fantasy owners might expect from Dolphins running backs this season.