Miami, FL

Miami Dolphins invest in diverse running backs in three straight NFL Drafts: A breakdown

Published

11 months ago

May 1, 2025

Press Room

Miami Dolphins invest in diverse running backs in three straight NFL Drafts: A breakdown

The Miami Dolphins have two contrasting running back styles in De’Von Achane, known for his speed, and rookie Ollie Gordon II, a powerful runner.
The Dolphins are looking to revitalize their run game after the departure of Mostert and Wilson, adding Gordon and Jaylen Wright to the backfield alongside Achane.
Coach Mike McDaniel emphasized Gordon’s potential and expects him to improve upon his 2023 college performance.

MIAMI GARDENS — It’s kind of funny how two people can have the exact same job title and description but do it in entirely different ways.

Consider the plight of Miami Dolphins running backs De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon II.

Technically, they’re both running backs. But Gordon, the rookie, is four inches taller and 38 pounds heavier than Achane.

Thirty eight pounds!

Achane opened eyes in his 2023 rookie season with burst and speed and acceleration.

Whoosh!

Gordon, who slipped to the sixth round in the 2025 NFL Draft, wants to stiff-arm, barrel though and over you.

Wham!

“I’m a bruiser,’ Gordon said during the NFL Draft. “I’m going to run through you. I’m going to make you want to not tackle me. Late in games. And beginning of games.”

When players at a certain position come in various shapes and sizes, coaches will inevitably push back against weakness assumptions.

Yes, Achane is small. But he’s tough.

Yes, Gordon is powerful. But he’s agile, too.

Yes, Achane is a great receiver. But Gordon is better than you may realize, too.

We can insert the spring-time and summer-time quotes that haven’t been quoted yet here. But make no mistake, there will be quotes.

“I saw a lot of really good stuff,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said of Gordon’s film after the back was selected.

Ollie Gordon II: ‘I’m a bruiser.’

Specially, McDaniel saw a lot of really good stuff in 2023, when Gordon was named the best running back in college football and ran for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns.

“We feel optimistic that is the version that we’re going to improve upon moving forward,” McDaniel said, acknowledging 2024 was not as good for Gordon.

Gordon is 6-foot-1, 226 pounds.

Achane is 5-foot-9, 188 pounds.

The Dolphins have moved on from Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, two quality backs McDaniel also worked with in San Francisco.

Including 2024 draft pick Jaylen Wright, the Dolphins have hit on that position in three straight “NFL Annual Player Selection Meetings.”

That’s intentional.

McDaniel wants to re-establish the run game that went awry in 2024.

That’s why James Daniels and Jonah Savaiinaea were added to play guard and massive Patrick Paul was selected to succeed Pro Bowler Terron Armstead.

McDaniel figures to increase total runs. And he’s going to reward physicality.

Wright is sort of a hybrid of Achane and Gordon

He’s big and fast. This trio of youngsters is intriguing.

Achane is 23. Wright is 22. Gordon is 21.

Talk about a wave of youth.

If Gordon were Eddie George or Jonathan Taylor, Ollie Gordon would not have slipped to the sixth round. A DUI in the summer of 2024 surely did not help him.

But the upright running style and a battery of stiff arms are reminiscent, at least.

“Honestly, my mindset is me versus you, and I’m banking on me every time,” Gordon said. “I can’t sit here and lie to you. I’m banking on me every time.”

Miami Dolphins update: RB Ollie Gordon II selected in NFL Draft

Gordon will need to be all-in from Day 1 to come close to the impact Achane had a rookie. It’s a great competition in that room, with plenty of talent and depth.

Clearly Achane is projected to get the most touches.

But if Gordon can gain the coaches’ trust – he’s already known as a reliable pass-blocker – he has a chance at some meaningful rookie carries.

It’s best when each player knows their role.

Gordon, the rookie, seems to know his.

“You’re going to get out of my way,” Gordon said. “Or I’m going to run through you.”

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

Source link

Click to comment

Miami, FL

Motorcyclist killed in crash on Biscayne Boulevard, deputies say

Published

4 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

Motorcyclist killed in crash on Biscayne Boulevard, deputies say

A motorcyclist was killed in a crash in northeast Miami-Dade on Tuesday morning, deputies said.

The crash happened on Biscayne Boulevard near Northeast 127th Street and involved a vehicle and a motorcycle, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office officials said.

The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. Their identity was not released.

The condition of the driver in the vehicle was also not released.

Aerial footage from Chopper 6 showed a yellow tarp covering the body next to the damaged vehicle. The motorcycle was on the ground nearby surrounded by debris.

All southbound lanes on Biscayne Boulevard from Northeast 126th Street to 128th Street have been closed.

The crash was under investigation.

Source link

Miami, FL

‘Confident’ Bencic takes out Anisimova, eyes Gauff next in Miami

Published

16 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

‘Confident’ Bencic takes out Anisimova, eyes Gauff next in Miami

A “super clean and confident” performance from Belinda Bencic earned her an upset of one Top 10-ranked American at the Miami Open on Monday night — and she’s hoping that form carries over into another in less than 24 hours.

Miami: Scores | Draws | Order of play

The No. 12 seed led nearly wire-to-wire in a 6-2, 6-2 thumping of No. 6 seed Amanda Anisimova to put her through to a 12th career WTA 1000 quarterfinal, and second in Miami after she reached the 2022 semifinals. She’ll face another Florida resident, No. 4 seed Coco Gauff, on Tuesday night in the hopes of matching her tournament best from four years ago.

Bencic had good reason to praise her play against Anisimova, in a match that was projected to be a late-afternoon affair but ended up taking the court at 9 p.m. after three of the four matches preceding it on Grandstand stretched to three sets. She landed 87% of her first serves, winning 72% of those points, and hit 19 winners in 14 games to break a 2-2 head-to-head tie against the two-time Grand Slam singles finalist.

She saved the only break point she faced, too, which came when she was already ahead 6-2, 4-1.

Bencic next looks to complete a personal Sunshine Double of sorts against Gauff as she eyes back-to-back Top 10 victories on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz.

Though the American has won four of their previous six meetings, Bencic’s most-recent win came in the Round of 16 at the BNP Paribas Open last year.

More to come…

Source link

Miami, FL

Miami-Dade trainer helps young athletes chase their next big opportunity

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Miami-Dade trainer helps young athletes chase their next big opportunity

KENDALL, Fla. — With March Madness underway and Division I athletes back in the spotlight, the level of training it takes to compete at the top of college sports is getting plenty of attention.

In Kendall, one coach is working every day to help young athletes reach that level.

Kevin Lopez is the fitness director at D1 Training Kendall, where the focus is helping athletes get stronger, faster and more confident.

For Lopez, the work is personal. His own athletic career started with a similar opportunity growing up in Miami.

“I got trained by a guy down here in Miami who focused on strength and conditioning, specifically for athletes — for kids that are trying develop, improve and go to college,” Lopez said. “It allowed me to be one of the top receivers in that year for our district, which gave me opportunities to go play at Iowa.”

That experience changed his path and ultimately brought him back home.

Now Lopez says his mission is to give other athletes the same type of chance.

“I want to try and help out as many people as I can, to give them that same opportunity, or at least get them as close as they can to reach that if that’s a goal that they have for themselves,” he said.

Inside the gym at D1 Kendall, the training goes well beyond basic workouts.

“We focus on lateral movements, we focus on their agility, their quickness, we focus on building that upper body strength as well,” he said.

Just as important, he says, is helping athletes stay healthy and confident.

“A lot of kids are coming in to build their confidence,” Lopez said. “It’s not just to improve their speed, their agility, their quickness to transition over to the field or to the court.”

The gym has also become a place where athletes feel comfortable pushing themselves.

“We’re just trying to build a community around here,” Lopez said. “We’re trying to expand and touch as many people, as many athletes, as many adults as we can.”

“This is a home for them,” he added. “And they have somewhere they’re going to come, feel at ease, not feel intimidated.”

To learn more about D1 Kendall, visit their website.

Source link