DAVIE, Fla. -- Lamar Miller finished last season as a Top 10 Fantasy running back, but it wasn't easy. Limited by a coaching staff that held him to six games with 15 or more carries and two games with 20-plus touches, Miller proved to be very efficient.
But what's a guy gotta do to get more work?!
It turns out, the Dolphins coaching staff saw enough from Miller last season to give him more opportunities this season. And it started with offensive coordinator Bill Lazor.
"There's no doubt that Lamar can be an every down back," Lazor told CBSSports.com following Tuesday's training camp practice. "My challenge to him, standing in the hallway outside the weight room in the offseason was, 'Lamar, do you think you could get more carries?' Of course he said yeah, which is what I'd expect. So my challenge (to him) was 'Okay, get your body ready for more.'"
Miller didn't say how much weight he put on -- reports say it's about 10 pounds -- but affirmed he spent time in the weight room.
"I've been pushing myself ... just trying to get bigger and stronger," he said. "That's something I feel like can help me carry the load and just adding [more weight], hopefully that can take me to the next step."
That would push Miller to about 225 pounds, which is great if he can keep his speed. That looked to be the case on Tuesday when during a two-minute drill, Miller was Ryan Tannehill's safety valve and caught a short pass and sped roughly 30 yards before getting touched.
Seemingly, Miller's only road block to every-down work is himself. If he can hold up, the Dolphins seem willing to feed him the rock.
"He can tell you, all these guys can tell you, that many touches that he had, it's not easy," Lazor said. "Some games it's not easy getting to the bus. It's really a challenge for him of what can he take. ... But we're going to play the guys that we think can help us win, and he's proven he can help."
Miller has averaged at least 4.0 yards per carry in each of his three seasons with 4.9 as a rookie and a fantastic 5.1 average in 2014 (helped immensely by a Week 17 depantsing of the Jets). The O-line issue notwithstanding, it's a no-brainer that with more touches Miller will repeat as a Top 10 Fantasy running back.
Suddenly, his fourth-round Draft Average seems criminally low.
Quick hits from Dolphins practice: Of course Miami's defense, particularly its defensive line, is legit with Ndamukong Suh aboard. But they're causing major headaches for the O-line. Tannehill, who was otherwise on target, was "sacked" several times during drills. It's something to watch closely this preseason. ... Jordan Cameron's a big dude the Dolphins are banking on to make plays, but Tuesday wasn't his best practice. In an early 11-on-11 drill he had a deep pass from Ryan Tannehill bounce off his hands, then had another pass go off his hands in individual drills. He cleaned up his act after that but a deep seam pass intended for him from Tannehill during a two-minute drill was tipped and intercepted by the secondary. ... Jay Ajayi barely got work in team drills. Damien Williams, Mike Gillislee and LaMichael James appear to be in front of him on the depth chart. ... Receiver Kenny Stills (calf) did work on the side by himself and fellow receiver LaRon Byrd left practice with an undisclosed injury.
Fantasy Dilemmas: Miller set up for every-down work in Miami?
Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor challenged running back Lamar Miller to prepare for more touches in 2015, and Miller has accepted. Dave Richard has the latest from Dolphins training camp.
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Dave Richard
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