Photo: Adifans, Flickr BY SEAN DONOVAN
"I think it's very possible," Bush said Saturday, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "We'll see as this [season] begins, but I think it's possible, yes."
Bush has every reason to be confident, after having by far his best statistical season in the league in 2011.
But a rushing title would require another significant jump in production, much more than even his very impressive 1,086 yard output from last season. With second-year back Daniel Thomas and rookie Lamar Miller very much in the fold for playing time, Bush will not likely get the touches he will need to reach that goal.
Thomas is ready to assert himself after a rookie campaign that was hampered by injuries and tepid performances.
"I know I've gotten better," Thomas told the Miami Herald in June. "The injuries affected me a lot last year. They messed my mind up. I lost the confidence I had. I didn't have the same burst I had earlier."
Also poised to prevent Bush from racking up the carries is the speedy third-round pick Miller. Similarly to Bush, Miller is a fast, versatile back who has the ability to make tacklers miss.
The Dolphins' trio of quality backs may hinder Bush from reaching his ambitious goal, but it will help the Dolphins field a balanced offensive attack. All three are versatile and are capable of causing matchup problems for the defense.
“This offense is all about creating mismatches,” Bush told Brian Biggane of the Miami Herald Monday. “Getting guys the ball in space and getting playmakers the ball.”
In the West Coast offense, like the one Joe Philbin is installing in Miami, the backs are not only featured in the running game but also in the short passing game. Bush, along with his backfield counterparts, will have plenty of opportunities to make his mark in a huge way for the 2012 Dolphins.
"We’re going to have a very successful season this year, Bush said. "Everyone seems to be on board, on the same page, and everybody seems to have the same collective goal, which is just to win.”
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