Ryan Tannehill credits improved rushing attack for offensive success

Written by Matthew Cannata | Twitter: @PhinManiacs
One of the bigger surprises this year for the Miami Dolphins has been their improved rushing attack. Last year, they ranked towards the bottom of the league in rushing, mainly because of their poor offensive line. 

This year, with a re-vamped line and another year of experience for the running backs, it ranks fifth in the NFL. Ryan Tannehill credited this improved rushing attack for the success the offense has seen.

“I think the offensive line. I think establishing the line of scrimmage, the way they can control people up front. The different looks that we present seem to control the numbers. Just slow down their play a little bit, make them hesitate and, if you hesitate for a second, then the running back is already getting four yards. That’s a big part of it as well as the running backs. They’re running hard, they’re getting in space and creating extra yards once they have contact. I’m excited about our running game in general.” 

Tannehill said that there are several options for him when he gets to the line of scrimmage and may change a play or run route depending on the coverage that he sees from the opposing defense.

“We have a lot of available possibilities on each run play. A lot of our run plays have two or three options of where the ball can end up going. We can throw it outside, the running back running it or me keeping it. So it’s all happening at the snap. It’s nothing that we’re completely changing everything. It’s all happening on the snap.” 

If the Dolphins can get Knowshon Moreno back on Sunday, it will only help their run game, which they will need to control the clock and keep the Green Bay Packers off the field. 

"It’s always great to have all our players healthy, especially Knowshon, a guy like we talked about a lot before," Tannehill said. "He brings some intensity, a different vibe to the huddle. He runs with fire. He runs hard. He wants to punish people on the ends of his runs and that’s a different element than you get from some of the backs.” 

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