Buried beneath all of the Dolphins’ offensive chatter about quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, broad receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, tight finish Mike Gesicki and the offensive line is that this nugget: working again Chase Edmonds had 16 touches within the opener in opposition to New England, probably the most of any participant.
Even extra encouraging is that Edmonds, who rushed for 25 yards on 12 carries, had 4 receptions for 40 yards, and that’s an space the Dolphins may exploit Sunday at Baltimore.
“That’s something that I feel like is kind of my niche,” Edmonds mentioned. “I feel like I can separate myself around other running backs in the NFL just with my ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.”
Edmonds, the fifth-year participant who groups with Raheem Mostert to comprise the principle parts of the Dolphins’ dashing assault, is a wonderful receiver. Last season he had 43 receptions for 311 yards with Arizona, and in 2020 he had 53 receptions for 402 yards and 4 touchdowns with Arizona.
“Running backs get different matchups than other players as an offensive skill position player,” coach Mike McDaniel mentioned, “and they can really open up your offense if you can involve your halfback in the passing game.”
Three of Edmonds’ 4 receptions in opposition to New England have been on third down. There was an 11-yard reception on third-and-7 within the second quarter, a 7-yard reception on third-and-11 in that very same drive, and a 15-yard reception on third-and-9 within the fourth quarter.
“It happened to be third down this past game,” McDaniel mentioned of Edmonds’ receptions. “On first and second down, it opens up your offensive playbook as well. It allows you to feature people and also make your offense a little more multiple with your formations and presentations.”
McDaniel mentioned among the many issues that make Edmonds a high quality receiver out of the backfield are his ball expertise, understanding of area, route working and timing with the quarterback.
“He’s a very cerebral, calculated player that also happens to be athletic and a matchup issue for opposing defense,” McDaniel mentioned.
Edmonds mentioned he is aware of he poses a matchup downside for defenses as a receiver as a result of they have already got to fret about broad receivers Tyreek Hill and Chase Edmonds.
Keep a watch on Edmonds in opposition to Baltimore.
By the numbers
The significance of a 2-0 begin, which might include a Dolphins victory over Baltimore on Sunday, is intriguing.
A 2-0 begin in a 17-game season with seven groups in every convention making the playoffs signifies that crew has a 67% probability of incomes a postseason berth, in line with the NFL.
Those numbers have been figured previous to final yr’s playoffs, however you get the purpose. Clearly it’s too early for a postseason assure with a 2-0 begin, however the numbers are in your favor.
New for everybody
McDaniel and Tagovailoa talked in regards to the play-calling course of being gradual at occasions final week. McDaniel mentioned Tagovailoa saved them a few occasions. The play-calling course of will take time, comparable to many elements of this offense. It ought to run extra easily this week at Baltimore.
McDaniel, offensive coordinator Frank Smith, quarterback coach Darrell Bevell and Tagovailoa have been working their first common season recreation collectively of their roles final week.
“For the first game, it was good for us to learn one another and to be able to do that in a game where you win the game,” Bevell mentioned.
“But our game operation is definitely something that we can work on from the head coach, to the quarterback, to the line making calls — the whole orchestration, moving around with all of the motions that we’re doing. We can continue to get better at that.”
Protecting Tua’s blindside
There must be issues about defending Tagovailoa’s blind aspect Sunday. It’s not essentially as a result of proper sort out Greg Little will change Austin Jackson (ankle), it’s due to Baltimore linebacker Justin Houston (three tackles, 1.0 sacks, two quarterback hits), who graded sixteenth amongst edge defenders final week, in line with Pro Football Focus.
By comparability, the Dolphins’ Melvin Ingram (two tackles, one for loss, one recovered fumble, TD) and Emmanuel Ogbah (4 tackles, 1.0 sack, two quarterback hits), who each had sturdy video games, graded twentieth and twenty second, respectively.
Tagovailoa was pressured on 41.7% of his dropbacks final week, fourth-highest proportion within the league behind Arizona (61.4%), Kansas City (58.5%) and the New York Giants (57.1%).
Brandon Jones’ aggression
You already know the Dolphins have maybe the NFL’s greatest younger security duo with Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones. It’ll be fascinating to see how they use Jones in opposition to the Ravens.
Last week, Jones’ aggression led to a team-best 11 tackles, together with the strip-sack of Patriots quarterback Mac Jones that led to an Ingram 6-yard landing.
Against New England, Jones was within the field 59% of the time and on the road of scrimmage 14% of the time, in line with Pro Football Focus. Last season, Jones was within the field 42% of the time and on the road 19% of the time.
Jones was on the road for the strip-sack, which got here in 2.13 seconds, quickest within the league.
“His game speed is crazy,” Holland mentioned. “He’s like an energy bunny. He’ll just be flying around 100 miles an hour, and he’s a great tackler. He always brings the juice. That’s big.”
Point, counterpoint
The Ravens are conscious of how typically Jones is within the field and on the road of scrimmage. They’re seeking to reap the benefits of that aggression with massive performs.
“If they’re going to basically roll the dice on having everyone up [in the box] and whatnot, you have to be able to hit them,” Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman mentioned. “I think that’s definitely something you look forward to.”
Jackson had a 55-yard dart to Rashod Bateman amongst his three landing passes final week.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com