The Kalen Ballage experience is over in Miami. The Dolphins were planning to release Ballage but ended up trading him to the Jets for a conditional 2021 7th round pick. I can’t help but think of how disappointing Ballage turned out. For a player I was so high on at Arizona State, Ballage thus far has bombed.
Ballage was bad beyond the point of comprehension in 2019. The former Arizona State product averaged 1.8 yards per carry in his 2nd NFL season. I’m literally not making that number up. 1.8 yards per carry on 74 attempts. It was a whole lot of yuck.
I don’t understand how Ballage was so bad. Ballage checks in at 6-foot-2, 231, and jacked. He also ran a 4.46 – 40 time at the combine with above average speed for his size. Ballage also rushed for close to 2,000 yards at Arizona State including a 14 touchdown campaign as a Junior.
So what the hell went wrong for Ballage? Is he really THIS bad? The Dolphins putrid offensive line doesn’t help. Ryan Fitzpatrick was the team’s leading rusher in 2019. It didn’t matter which running back the Dolphins used a year ago. Nobody was productive.
I hope this isn’t the last we see of Kalen Ballage. What a disappointing career for a 4th round pick that had promise. Running backs are a dime a dozen. If Ballage doesn’t pop with the Jets, his career is over. With Le’Veon Bell, La’Mical Perine, and Frank Gore on the roster, maybe Ballage can make the team. I hope Ballage can turn his career around in a different situation.
