Here’s the most recent installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, the place South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins reply questions from readers.
Q: Where’s the go rush been? Particularly Jaelan Phillips, any perception on this? — Dawson Hall on Twitter
A: Here are the Dolphins’ pass-rushing stats by way of two video games: Two sacks, three quarterback hits (one other than the sacks), seven pressures.
That’s it.
Those are putrid numbers. It’s removed from what we’ve been used to seeing from Miami’s protection. In 2021, the Dolphins had 48 sacks, have been tied for the NFL lead with 107 quarterback knockdowns and have been second with 193 pressures.
The seven pressures, in accordance with Pro Football Reference, are second-fewest within the NFL by way of two video games. They account for a strain on 10.9 p.c of opposing quarterback dropbacks, the third-lowest charge within the league.
Miami is coming off a recreation the place it didn’t sack or hit Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson on a go try. This occurred regardless of blitzing Jackson closely, doubling down on final 12 months’s efficient technique that flustered Jackson. The Dolphins have been really extra profitable attending to the quarterback within the opener towards the Patriots after they blitzed a lot lower than coordinator Josh Boyer is understood to do.
I’m not too involved at this level as a result of the numbers appear to be extra of a mirrored image of Baltimore profitable the chess match by way of three quarters on Sunday earlier than Miami’s comeback. The Ravens had a solution for each Miami blitz. Jackson was both studying what spot was vacated by a blitz with a fast go or Baltimore picked up the additional rusher.
With Jaelan Phillips, particularly, it will not be exhibiting to the bare eye — or statistically (two tackles, a fumble restoration, no sacks or pressures in two video games) — however superior metrics point out he’s speeding the passer effectively. He has a pass-rush win charge of a whopping 31 p.c, according to ESPN.
To put that determine in perspective, final 12 months’s league chief amongst edge defenders, Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, registered 28 p.c in 2021. If Phillips simply retains at it, the pressures and sacks will finally come.
Miami has larger depth on the sting than it did final 12 months. Veterans Melvin Ingram and Trey Flowers can contribute to a rotation at exterior linebacker Phillips and Andrew Van Ginkel. Jerome Baker can nonetheless shift exterior with Duke Riley coming into at inside linebacker, and even Sam Eguavoen, as was seen Sunday. Defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah, who has one of many workforce’s sacks, will nonetheless be a menace along with his hand within the floor, together with defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler. The security blitz of Brandon Jones, who had the strip-sack that led to the Ingram landing in Week 1, and/or Jevon Holland will nonetheless have its moments.
Q: Do you suppose Greg Little gained the job at RT yesterday?— @dapples78 on Twitter
A: Little has been stable in changing Austin Jackson as he recovers from an ankle harm. He wasn’t significantly seen as a gap in go safety, which is at all times good for a backup deal with, particularly one which protects a left-handed quarterback’s blind aspect.
He had different flashes, notably a key run block that sprung tailback Chase Edmonds for the vital 28-yard run to set the Dolphins up on the Baltimore 7-yard line forward of the profitable strike from Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle.
While encouraging, let’s see if he does it persistently over the following few video games earlier than we crown him the brand new beginning deal with with out giving Jackson his alternative to return. Jackson has at the least three extra weeks on injured reserve the place Little can be counted on to fill in. There can be a substantial pattern measurement to gage by then.
Have a query?
Email David Furones, or tag @ChrisPerk or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.
Previously answered:
Should we be bought on this O-line; what’s up with Mike Gesicki?
Is Mike McDaniel prepared for the second?
Which rookie might make largest affect?
What needs to be anticipated of DC Josh Boyer?
Where will Dolphins add one other veteran free agent?
Is Christian Wilkins subsequent for multi-year extension?
Can Tua nonetheless be a top-10 quarterback?
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Source: www.bostonherald.com