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MIAMI, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Arian Foster floated flawlessly through the defensive line Thursday at Miami Dolphins training camp. It's that ease that has impressed Dolphins coaches this summer as he is locked into a position battle with the currently sidelined Jay Ajayi.
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One coach who isn't surprised by Foster's early success in the offense is Bo Hardegree.
Hardegree, the Dolphins' quarterback coach, played with Foster at the University of Tennessee.
"We had a relationship coming into this thing," Hardegree said of Foster.
"It didn't really have anything to do with him coming here, but it helps," Hardegree said. "Seeing him come into the building and talking about some old stuff every once in a while."
Hardegree played for the Volunteers from 2003 to 2005. Foster was with the Volunteers from 2004 to 2008.
He said Foster and quarterback Ryan Tannehill are proven professionals.
"They've done a good job," Hardegree said. "Ryan's in there telling him what's going on and catching him up to speed. Arian and Ryan are pros. They are going to work. They are going to work hard and get themselves ready. It's not like you are pulling teeth."
"Arian is a proven winner and worker and that will just continue on with what we have building here. We have a lot of great guys on the team and I'm just happy to have him here."
It's still early in the battle for the top spot on the depth chart, but missing snaps is never a good thing in camp. Dolphins coach Adam Gase said Ajayi isn't trailing from a mental standpoint.
"He's not falling behind mentally for sure," Gase said of Ajayi. "For me, the sooner we can get him back, the better. I know he is working hard to get back. It's one of those things where it's so day-to-day. Everyday we walk in and say where is he at? I know he's itching to get back out there. He knows his biggest thing is getting that feel for what we are doing in the running game, passing game, working at the line of scrimmage and understanding, how do I fit in with the o-line."
Gase's compliment of Foster could be telling, when it comes to who is currently ahead in the battle. Ajayi's current ailment is a bone bruise in his left knee.
"That's the thing I think Arian has done a great job of," Gase said. "Right away, a couple days in, he got a good feel of where those holes are popping. And I know Jay is trying to do the same thing. A couple of the run schemes that we are doing are different than what he has had in the past. We are still developing what's best for him, so right now its real generic. As we get through the preseason and once we get to the regular season we'll have a better idea, well Jay's in there and here's what we are going to lean on."
"We are going to do what he does best right now we are still trying to figure that out."
Gase brought Hardegree with him from his stint with the Chicago Bears. The duo was also paired in Denver, where Gase coached quarterbacks, wide receivers, and served as offensive coordinator, while Hardegree was the Broncos' offensive quality control coach.
Hardegree also went to Tennessee with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. Cooter later introduced Gase to Hardegree.
"When I first was introduced to Bo, Jim Bob Cooter and him went to college together," Gase said. "Jim Bob left for Detroit and he said I got you guy for you."
"The more I've been around Bo and his efficiency and his work ethic...for him to follow me to Chicago, I appreciate that a lot."
Foster, 29, is on a one-year deal in Miami. He has started more than 13 games in a season just once in his seven-year career. That season, he led the NFL with 15 rushing touchdowns and ran for 1,424 yards. Last season Foster rushed for 163 yards and one score in four games for the Houston Texans.
While Foster has 1,703 career offensive touches, the 23-year-old Ajayi had just 56 in his first season with the Dolphins. Ajayi had 227 yards from scrimmage and one score in 2015.
