BY NICK ST. DENIS
The occasional quarterback run isn't a staple of the Miami Dolphins' offense, but it's a tentacle of it.
Second-year signal-caller Ryan Tannehill's wheels -- and offensive coordinator Mike Sherman's use of them -- were on full display last Sunday, as Tannehill took off for a career-long 48-yard run on a designed option against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In fact, Tannehill's yards on the ground are up this season from last despite his rushing attempts per game slightly down.
That trend toward higher efficiency is just what Sherman ordered.
"I think it’s a part of the offense, I don’t think it is 'the offense,'" Sherman said this week of the periodic quarterback scamper, via The Palm Beach Post. "We have a lot more other components that we have. It’s just to keep people honest for the most part."
Tannehill was a receiver for two years in college and undoubtedly has the athleticism to carry the ball more. But Sherman prefers to keep the young field general in the pocket as much as possible.
"Some weeks we use it, some weeks we don’t," Sherman said. "I think the element of surprise allows you an opportunity to maybe pull a run out like we did [Sunday]."
Tannehill is averaging 6.1 yards a carry this season.
