With the rumors swirling that NFL teams may be facing cuts ahead of training camp this season in an effort to manage the ongoing concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic, the Miami Dolphins may have to start asking themselves some difficult questions. Among them, who is a must to bring into training camp and what players have we already seen enough of to know they’re not likely going to make the roster.
For new talent, that is a unique and challenging proposition. But there are some established talents on the Miami Dolphins’ roster that can give the impression that they are what they are. Quarterback Josh Rosen has been a frustrating experiment between his tenures in Arizona and Miami. The Dolphins have had the chance to see TE Michael Roberts’ film from his time in Detroit — he wasn’t able to stick there. But of all the talents that Miami knows probably aren’t going to command a high-prized role on the roster, none seem more obvious that RB Kalen Ballage.
Ballage, who was a former mid-round draft selection from the Dolphins, was supposed to have the chance to claim the Dolphins’ starting running back title last fall. Instead, Ballage stumbled through 12 games and eventually found himself on injured reserve — but not before he logged 1.8 yards per carry over 74 carries and provided some frustration in the passing game along the way. Ballage, who coming out of Arizona State was considered a strong enough pass catcher that some suggested he transition to receiver, suffered drops and a general lack of awareness of when the ball might be coming his way.
In a lot of ways, his 2019 season was a disaster. And a seemingly bad attitude didn’t help, either. In early November, Ballage claimed he had “nothing to prove” despite his horrid production; averaging 2.0 yards per carry at the time. By the time his season was over, that average got worse.
Considering the Dolphins’ ambitious overhaul of the running back room with Matt Breida and Jordan Howard, the Dolphins may feel Ballage is an expendable player sooner rather than later in favor of keeping another young, unknown asset. Training camp is set to open on July 28th, so we’ll get some clarity on if the Dolphins are required to cut down their roster ahead of time in the near future. If they must trim some fat, Ballage might not be a bad place to start.
