NAPA, California - Malik Willis doesn’t sound interested in turning his legs into a stat chase, even after showing exactly how dangerous they can be in Miami’s season opener.
The Dolphins quarterback rushed for 39 yards in the loss at Las Vegas, just one shy of Lamar Jackson’s 40, and De’Von Achane made it clear he thinks Willis should lean into that part of his game more often. The running back said he told Willis during the opener that the quarterback could have used his legs even more.
“Yeah, if you want to,” Achane said. “I mean, that's kind of up to him. I was telling him, last game he could have used his legs a lot more for real, if you ask me.”
At the same time, Achane said he doesn’t want to see Willis absorbing heavy contact.
There is also a health wrinkle. Later in the day, it was learned that Willis sustained a toe injury that could affect his ability to run Sunday, Sept. 20, at San Francisco.
Even so, Willis was a full practice participant Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Willis, though, wasn’t interested in comparing himself with Jackson when the conversation turned to rushing yards.
"I'm not really looking to compete for stats," Willis said. "I'm more trying to win games."
That doesn’t change the fact that Miami has already seen how much his mobility can matter. In the opener, Willis ran for a touchdown and picked up another first down on the ground. Those two rushing first downs are already more than Tua Tagovailoa had all of last season.
Jeff Hafley said Willis gives the Dolphins a chance to stretch plays and create easier throws, especially when the pocket starts to break down.
“You want to get him outside the pocket for some more (easier completions),” Hafley said. “Then there's some, you know, in his progression, there's your first read, there's your second read.
If it's open, take it. If not, hit the check down.
If not, get going with your legs.”
The question of when to take off and run came up again, and Willis pushed back on the idea that quarterbacks operate on some built-in timer.
"I feel like that's made up," Willis said. "There's no such thing as a clock. It's just what it is."
What is obvious, at least to Achane, is that when Willis does decide to run, he can separate in a hurry.
Is he the fastest quarterback Achane has ever played with?
"Yeah," Achane said, with a look of bemusement. "I mean, yeah."
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