Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane (28) celebrates a touchdown with Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, October 8, 2023.
The Miami Dolphins sad history at running back stared me in the face today so I thought I would highlight it here. Do you realize that Larry Csonka is STILL the team's all time leading rusher with 6737 yards? Don't get me wrong. "Zonk" is an all-time great and will forever be remembered for his role with the Dolphins during the undefeated 1972 championship season.
But Csonka hasn't carried a football since 1979! Quick math: That was 45 years ago!
MIAMI DOLPHINS SAD HISTORY
Next up on the Dolphins all-time rushing list is Ricky Williams at 6436 yards. Following Williams, the Dolphins don't have a single rusher with more than 5000 yards. Ronnie Brown is next on that list with 4815 yards.
In all fairness, Williams' and Brown's careers with the Dolphins overlapped for 6 seasons so both likely would have rushed for more yards if the other wasn't sharing the load. But the Dolphins needed Brown because of Williams' multiple drug test suspensions. Both players saw their time in Miami end in 2010. Other than those two, only one player among the team's top 12 all-time rushers (Lamar Miller) played in the 2000's.
We get it, the league is a passing league now and that is a fair assessment. But the overall rushing numbers among most of the Dolphins top 20 rushers is anemic to say the least. That's what we mean by writing the Miami Dolphins sad history at running back is undeniable.
Maybe the ground game will improve this season with a strong effort by Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane. But this team, like many others around the NFL, is built to throw the ball. Tua Tagovailoa's top targets like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are among the fastest humans in the league. But overall, the Miami Dolphins sad history at running back stands out.
For more NFL and Miami Dolphins talk, tune in each weekday to Craig Shemon and Company on ESPN Southwest Florida.
