Ajayi feels national media not paying enough attention to Dolphins
Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi channeled his inner Rodney Dangerfield ahead of Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ajayi and the Dolphins enter the playoffs with a 10-6 record, having claimed the AFC's No. 6 seed. However, Miami's lead back feels the national media gave all the attention to the Steelers, much to his chagrin.
“We hear a lot of talk about the other team and who they have and the players that they have,” Ajayi said via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. “And it’s kind of starting to get to me where you have to understand we have players too, you know?
“We have guys that are playing at a high level and are showcasing their abilities. And I think it’s time people need to respect that we have players on our offense, too, and we can get some stuff done when we’re on our game.”
Ajayi has emerged as the centerpiece of Miami's offense, rushing for 1,272 yards and eight touchdowns on 260 carries this season. But the 23-year-old dismissed the notion he's the only Dolphin capable of threatening the Steelers.
"I understand that the run game and my productivity is going to play a crucial part in how successful we are on Sunday," Ajayi said. "At the same time, though, I’m very confident in all our players on offense. We have a 1,000-yard receiver in (Jarvis Landry), a guy who scored nine touchdowns in Kenny (Stills) and DeVante (Parker) can take it to the house on any play."
If Ajayi and the Dolphins emerge with the victory, his comments will ring prophetic.