NAPA, Calif. ― Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane admires 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, with whom he'll share an NFL field in Week 2.
"That's one of my my favorite running backs," Achane said after a Miami practice. "We pretty much run like the same thing. So this Sunday, if you kind of see us doing the same thing, it's like we both kind of came from the same offense. But he's a great back, and they do the same thing that I do in this offense and that offense. And he can make plays from receiver and running back."
Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is a descendant of the Kyle Shanahan-49ers coaching tree. These offenses feature a wide zone rushing attack with cut backs.
They also use play-action, bootleg and motion.
The
Dolphins will need to focus heavily on McCaffrey this Sunday, Sept. 20, in Santa Clara.
"He's a great runner," Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said. "He can hit explosives, he's got big play capability, he's strong, he has good contact balance. The threat of him out of the backfield is, I mean, it's kind of like our guy (Achane). You've got to know where he is. He can catch the ball. He can run routes. He can do it all. I think he's one of the best backs in this league, and I have a ton of respect for him."
Miami Dolphins' De'Von Achane vs. 49ers' Christian McCaffrey
McCaffrey had 10 rushes for 68 yards in the 49ers' opening-day win against the Rams.
"Real twitchy," Miami defensive coordinator Jordan Phillips said. "Can expand the edge, cut downhill, real athletic. I think, all in all, he's a really good athlete. He's a great athlete, a great player."
The Dolphins had a hard time slowing Ashton Jeanty and the Raiders rushing attack in the first half of a Week 1 loss. But Miami's defense was much better in the second half.
First half: 14 rushes, 74 yards, 5.3 yards per carry.
Second half: 23 rushes, 56 yards, 2.4 yards per carry.
"In the second half, it was I mean, it was impressive how we played against the run," Hafley said. "It was really a tale of two halves. So, you know, hopefully they got that out of their systems and we build off of it. But there's some coaching there too now. We got to make sure we're lining up in the right spots and that we're seeing things the right way and fitting in the right areas."
Hafley said Miami's front was too hesitant and too safe and not as violent and aggressive early in the last game. He wants to see a change in approach.
"We've got to really make the adjustments from week one and we have to play as one," veteran defensive tackle Zach Sieler said. "We're going to really make the adjustments from week one to week two and bring it."
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.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins' Achane admires McCaffrey ahead matchup in Santa Clara
