Dolphins Notebook: RB Reggie Bush looking for running room
Miami Dolphins RB Reggie Bush knows he won't get many clear rushing lanes with rookie QB Ryan Tannehill under center. Still, he says the team must find a way to combat the eight-man fronts other teams routinely deploy to test the first-year signal caller.
“We understand as a team that we're going to continue to see eight-man boxes until we prove ourselves in the pass game,” Bush said. “I think Ryan has done that, and it'll start to soften up a little bit. I have full, complete faith in the ability of our offensive line and of our coaching staff and of our team. It's a collective effort for us to run the ball, but we know it's going to start to soften up. It's going to start to open up. We've just got to continue to believe in the system.”
Bush had a mere 17 yards on 12 carries in a 17-14 win over the Rams last weekend and has been slowed by a knee injury he suffered last month against the New York Jets. A bye week is just what the doctor ordered to help expedite Bush's recovery and allow the offense to tweak the rushing attack.
“We have a great running game and some great backs that are able to do some things,” Tannehill said. “Reggie, our offensive line has done a good job if you look at our first six games, so they know it's a big part of our offense and they want to take it away and make me beat them. I don't take it personal, but I look forward to the challenge.”
Rest and relaxation: The Miami Dolphins are looking forward to a few days off.
With a bye week looming, the players were given off Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday before they return to the practice field on Monday. And players are eager to enjoy a few days away from football.
“Well the bye week when I was younger, I probably would have went somewhere,” Bush said. “I probably would have come down here to Miami and partied. Since I'm here now and I'm a little older, I'm probably going to take this time to rest up a little bit and get my mind off of things and just focus on family.”
Tannehill is finding it harder to decide how to spend his first free week in the NFL.
“I think everyone has their own approach to it,” The rookie said. “I just asked around a few guys and hear what guys do and figure out what's best for me. Most guys try to get away and relax a little bit, so I'm trying to find that balance.”
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