FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 3/19/2013 12:48pm et

Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said he needs to see consistent growth from RB Lamar Miller in 2013. In particular, he needs to be more disciplined in blitz pickup.

Huddle Up: Blitz pickup is almost always an issue with young backs, but the Fins definitely are putting most of their eggs in Miller's basket having released their top back, Reggie Bush, of the past 2 seasons.

Posted: 3/3/2013 9:58pm et

The Miami Dolphins are not considering having RB Daniel Thomas competing with RB Lamar Miller for the starting running back job next season and are not expected to sign a veteran running back to compete with Miller. The team likes Miller's ability to make jump-cut moves, which allows him to get to the second level in the team's zone-blocking scheme.

Huddle Up: Sounds as if the Dolphins must have really liked what they saw from Miller's 57 total touches as a rookie last season ...

Posted: 2/11/2013 1:08pm et

The Miami Dolphins believe RB Lamar Miller showed just a glimpse of his big-play potential this past season, and the team expects him to be an every-down back in 2013. "Lamar really showed some great signs of really some explosive play opportunity," general manager Jeff Ireland said. "He kind of shoots out of the cannon when he hits the hole. He's got very good hands. I thought he did a very good job in his pass protection, which keeps him on the field all three downs."

Huddle Up: Ireland's comments certainly don't make it sound as if Reggie Bush is returning to South Beach, leaving Miller as at minimum the lead dog in Miami's backfield committee. Go ahead and fire up the sleeper buzz.

Posted: 1/30/2013 11:14pm et

Miami Dolphins RB Lamar Miller likely would be the team's starting running back if impending free-agent RB Reggie Bush does not return. However, the Dolphins are not ruling out the possibility of re-signing Bush if he is not offered a deal similar to the $4.5 million he made in 2012 from another team.

Huddle Up: The Dolphins aren't going to pay Bush like a feature back, but if other teams feel the same way Miami won't be averse to bringing him back in a complementary role. Miller could still end up as the primary back,but fantasy-wise you'd prefer him not to have Bush looking over his shoulder and stealing his touches.

Posted: 10/9/2012 7:23pm et

Miami Dolphins RB Lamar Miller didn't play in a single offensive snap in Week 5, but he could be used more often with RB Daniel Thomas (concussion) leaving the game with his second concussion in five weeks. The team hasn't been happy with Miller's awareness on the field so far, though, and his pass blocking hasn't been good.

Huddle Up: Beyond starter Reggie Bush, there's not a whole lot fantasy GMs can count on with any certainty in the Miami backfield as Miller, Thomas and even Jovorskie Lane all have had their moments -- fleeting as they may be.

Posted: 9/13/2012 4:11pm et

Miami Dolphins RB Lamar Miller could be active Week 2 if RB Daniel Thomas (concussion) is not able to play. Miller was not active Week 1 but would be the No. 2 running back if he plays Week 2.

Huddle Up: Excluding QB Ryan Tannehill's 2 carries, the Dolphins fell behind and only ran the ball 17 times in their Week 1 loss in Houston. Starter Reggie Bush had 14 of those attempts -- and he's once again in line to get the lion's share of the work in Week 2 -- but Miller, the Fins' fourth-round pick, is eager to show what he can do.

Posted: 7/22/2012 5:42pm et

Miami Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas may be pushed by RBs Lamar Miller and Steve Slaton for the No. 2 running back job if he is not able to improve on his 3.5 yards per carry. His yards after contact also ranked fifth-worst last season.

Huddle Up: Thomas' rookie season was handicapped by early hamstring problems, but even in November when he had reportedly healed he didn't look special. Slaton is still Slaton, his prime came and went after neck surgery in 2010. Miller is the wild-card. The fourth-round pick runs high-4.3's and can really be a threat on the perimeter. However, he's yet to be cleared for contact after offseason shoulder surgery.