De’Von Achane Calls Dolphins-Chiefs Home Opener a Reset

De’Von Achane Calls Dolphins-Chiefs Home Opener a Reset

After opening the season with two tough road losses, Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane sees Sunday’s home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs as a chance to start fresh.

For Achane, however, turning things around will require the Dolphins to build on the improvement they showed running the football last week while eliminating the mistakes that prevented promising drives from ending in touchdowns.

“It’s most definitely a reset,” Achane said of returning home. “We’re going to have to go out there and play a tough opponent like the Chiefs, they’re a great team.”

Achane believes beating Kansas City would demonstrate what this young Dolphins team is capable of when it stops hurting itself.

Dolphins Changed Their Mindset in the Run Game

Miami’s running game took a step forward in Week 2, and Achane believes the improvement started with a change in mentality.

“Running the ball really is just a mindset,” Achane said.

According to Achane, Miami placed a greater emphasis on establishing the run, and he felt the offensive line entered the game with a chip on its shoulder after the team’s Week 1 performance.

The result was progress, but Achane doesn’t believe Miami’s success running the football is dependent on its opponent.

With Kansas City coming to Hard Rock Stadium, Achane said the focus needs to remain on Miami executing its own responsibilities.

“I feel like it’s always about us, it doesn’t matter who we go against,” Achane said.

Miami Must Finish Drives

While the Dolphins found more success moving the football last week, Achane identified another problem that must be corrected: finishing drives.

Miami was able to control possession for significant stretches, which Achane believes helped keep the Dolphins defense rested. But controlling the football means little if those possessions don’t ultimately produce touchdowns.

“That’s kind of like the key thing this week,” Achane said. “Just making sure when we’re in the red zone, we got to score points.”

Achane pointed to penalties and other self-inflicted mistakes as a major reason Miami failed to capitalize on its red-zone opportunities.

Holding penalties, false starts and other mistakes repeatedly put the offense behind the sticks.

Those are exactly the types of errors Miami can’t afford against the Chiefs.

Achane Isn’t Asking for More Touches

With a young group of skill-position players surrounding him, Achane is one of the established veterans on Miami’s offense.

That naturally raises the question of whether the Dolphins should put even more of the offense on his shoulders.

Don’t expect Achane to demand it.

He said he has never been the type of player to approach coaches and ask for more touches, and he doesn’t plan on changing now.

“Me and Haf already had a conversation,” Achane said. “He always wants me to – if I see something, come up to him and tell us something, but I’ve never been that type of player to go to somebody and tell them what to do or say, ‘Oh, I need the ball more.’”

Achane also understands the importance of getting Miami’s younger players involved early.

He pointed to Caleb Douglas‘ opportunities in Week 1 as an example of why young players need chances to get comfortable rather than waiting until late in games to get them involved.

If Douglas can’t play against Kansas City because of his ankle injury, Achane said it will be a significant loss. But he also made clear that Miami’s other young players have to be prepared for their opportunities.

“Next man up,” Achane said. “It don’t matter when your number is called, I feel like you got to be ready and I feel like they are.”

Achane Embracing Veteran Role on Young Offense

Achane might still be relatively young himself, but on this Dolphins roster, he’s already one of the veterans.

He’s approaching that responsibility with patience.

Achane acknowledged that mistakes are inevitable with so many young players contributing, but also pointed out that veterans make mistakes, too.

His priority is keeping the offense together when something goes wrong, rather than letting teammates get down on themselves.

“We’re a team,” Achane said. “We all make mistakes, even I do.”

That mentality will be important as Miami attempts to develop one of the NFL’s youngest offenses while simultaneously trying to win games.

Could Miami Use Malik Willis More as a Runner?

Another potential element Miami could add to its running game involves quarterback Malik Willis.

Willis has demonstrated his ability to extend plays with his legs, but the Dolphins haven’t featured many designed quarterback runs or read-option concepts involving Willis and Achane.

Achane indicated that could potentially help the offense.

He believes Willis’ mobility has already benefited Miami when plays break down and expects the quarterback to continue improving each week.

Whether the Dolphins ultimately incorporate more designed runs for Willis remains to be seen, but his athleticism gives the offense another potential weapon on the ground.

Achane Ready for Hard Rock Stadium

After spending the first two weeks of the season on the road, Achane is more than ready to finally play in front of Dolphins fans.

“You’re always fired up when you going to Hard Rock,” Achane said.

Miami’s home opener will be particularly significant for the large number of young players who will experience playing at Hard Rock Stadium as a Dolphin for the first time.

Achane joked that he hopes Miami doesn’t get another schedule that makes the team wait until Week 3 to play at home.

He also has a history of producing memorable performances in home openers. Achane didn’t have an explanation for why he’s played so well in those games other than his desire to produce every time he steps on the field.

“Hopefully, I do something good this week,” Achane said.

The Dolphins could certainly use it.

At 0-2, Miami isn’t where it wanted to be after two games. But Achane isn’t treating Sunday’s matchup as an opportunity to dwell on what has already happened.

He’s treating it as a reset.

And against a team like Kansas City, Achane believes a Dolphins victory could send an important message.

Miami can compete with anybody.

The key, as Achane repeatedly emphasized, is making sure the Dolphins stop beating themselves.