If this Miami Dolphins workforce earns a playoff berth, you’ll discover one of many main causes in an apparent place, however a spot few select to look.
Go past the likes of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, huge receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, left deal with Terron Armstead, cornerback Xavien Howard, defensive deal with Christian Wilkins, edge rusher Bradley Chubb and the opposite starters.
Look at guys akin to Brandon Shell, an damage alternative at proper deal with, cornerbacks Keion Crossen and Kader Kohou, linebacker Duke Riley, huge receiver Trent Sherfield and gamers of that ilk.
The conclusion: It seems this Dolphins workforce has high quality depth.
“The proof is in the pudding,” coach Mike McDaniel stated.
We’ll see if the depth holds up for the remainder of the season, and if it leads to a playoff berth, an AFC East title, a playoff victory, or extra.
We’re simply previous the midway by the season, and a very powerful months, December and January, are nonetheless forward so we will’t make any last selections.
Let’s simply say issues are promising, and credit score goes to common supervisor Chris Grier, the entrance workplace and scouting division.
No workforce goes by a season relying solely on its 22 starters. You want rotational gamers. You want particular groups gamers. You want replacements for injured starters. You want high quality contributions from a lot of gamers in your 53-man lively roster to get a playoff berth.
Teams which are robust amongst Nos. 23-53 make life a lot simpler on themselves, and we’re seeing indicators of that with these Dolphins.
“We’ve gone through lineup changes as much as anything I’ve been around,” McDaniel stated.
But the Dolphins haven’t stumbled.
Quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson had been able to reply the decision. As it turned out, neither of them accomplished a sport they began, and each needed to make a reserve look. But they had been prepared. And others akin to security Clayton Fejedelem, linebacker Sam Eguavoen and defensive deal with John Jenkins have been able to contribute when known as upon whether or not it’s from scrimmage or on particular groups.
So at this level, you’d must say the Dolphins have proven high quality depth by virtually any customary you’d use to use the time period.
“Quality depth to me,” McDaniel stated, “is when as a team you’re able to function in a certain standard, and when a certain piece is gone are you still able to function at that standard?”
Recall cornerbacks Noah Igbinoghene and Justin Bethel getting interceptions within the Pittsburgh sport. Think again to huge receiver River Cracraft’s two touchdowns this season. Reflect on left guard Robert Jones stepping in for injured starter Liam Eichenberg at Detroit, after which making a begin final Sunday at Chicago. Remember left deal with Greg Little subbing in for Armstead towards the New York Jets.
These are examples of the Dolphins’ depth doing the spectacular in addition to the routine. This workforce finds methods to win, and its depth is a part of that successful method.
Previous Dolphins groups normally lacked high quality depth someplace, say, offensive line or edge rusher or cornerback. Either the rotation was missing, or the damage replacements had been insufficient, or no matter.
Inevitably, they’d end round .500, or, extra just lately, with successful data however no playoff berths.
Of course, the remainder of the season, and whether or not this workforce will get to the playoffs can be broadly seen as a referendum on McDaniel, Tagovailoa, Hill, Waddle, Armstead, Howard, Chubb, Grier and all the opposite huge names within the group.
But numerous the heavy lifting can be within the palms of Nos. 23-53 on the roster.
Don’t overlook their function within the Dolphins’ success, or if it seems that approach, their lack of success.
At this level, although, the Dolphins’ depth has been a giant key to their 6-3 begin. It appears the roster was put along with a whole lot of thought towards greater than the highest 22 gamers, and it’s proven.
“When teams are able to continue to progress and get better when people are out, then that’s a sign of some strong depth on your entire roster,” McDaniel stated.
“I feel pretty good about our team.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com