The trademark for the Miami Dolphins’ protection over the previous two seasons has been large performs. It’s a game-changing unit that may flip a sport in its favor by pressuring the quarterback, getting him down or forcing opponents into turnovers — and perhaps even scoring on these alternatives.
You couldn’t inform by watching this group by the primary quarter of the 2022 season.
The Dolphins, whereas 3-1 by a four-game gauntlet to start out the season, have only one interception amongst 4 complete takeaways. They have registered seven sacks. Only three groups have taken down the quarterback fewer instances by 4 video games: Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals. Miami is second-worst within the NFL in strain proportion, at 13.4 % of opponent dropbacks, in line with Pro Football Reference, forward of solely the Los Angeles Rams, surprisingly.
Last yr, the Dolphins have been fifth within the NFL in sacks (48). In strain proportion, Miami was third within the league at 28.5 %. The Dolphins have been 14th within the league with 14 interceptions, however going again to 2020, that season Miami was tied for the NFL lead with 18 interceptions.
“Turnovers is a thing that we stress, and we’ll continue to stress it,” defensive coordinator Josh Boyer mentioned on Thursday. “Those are usually game-changing or momentum-type plays for a defense. Yeah, we’d obviously like to have more than we have. There’s no question about that. I think any time that you present problems [for an opponent], whatever they may be, it presents an opportunity for progress.”
Many of these issues the Dolphins can current an opposing offense begin by speeding the passer, and Miami remains to be not getting very many pressures.
“Sometimes it can be a scheme thing, sometimes it can be an individual thing or a matchup-based thing,” mentioned Boyer, who added he doesn’t base a move rush’s success on sack statistics. “Or another thing is when you pressure at a high rate, the ball comes out a little bit faster and you’re seeing quicker routes and a lot more check-downs.”
On paper, the Dolphins ought to have one of many fiercest pass-rush models within the league. Returning most key contributors from final yr’s protection, including edge defenders Melvin Ingram and Trey Flowers forward of the season ought to solely present a lift.
Ingram has achieved his half. The 33-year-old veteran was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month as he has two sacks, a compelled fumble, two fumble recoveries and a landing by September.
Defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah and second-year exterior linebacker Jaelan Phillips solely have one sack every. Some of the unique blitzes Boyer, who now’s operating the protection with out ex-coach Brian Flores’ backing, has dialed up previously have seen counters constructed from opponents.
“Our goal is to affect the quarterback with the pass rush,” mentioned defensive position coach Austin Clark, who famous early missed alternatives for Phillips and Flowers within the loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 29. “I like the pieces we got. The effort is there. We’ve just got to finish a little bit better overall.”
The Dolphins snagged an interception on their first defensive collection of the season, however they haven’t picked off a passer since. Cornerback Xavien Howard’s tipped ball ultimately zone that security Jevon Holland hauled in was certainly one of three takeaways towards the Patriots on Sept. 11, as Miami received the turnover battle 3-0 in that season-opening win. Since then, an Ingram fumble restoration towards Buffalo in Week 3 is the lone turnover compelled.
Howard has been hampered by accidents to his groins, and the protection hasn’t had fellow cornerback Byron Jones reverse him, nonetheless on the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform listing this week. Having the 2 at their respective posts — and wholesome — is important for the general success of the protection, with tight man protection within the secondary complementing the blitzes, even from the safeties in Holland and Brandon Jones.
On the sting, the Dolphins can look to win some 1-on-1 matchups on Sunday towards a Jets offensive line that has three tackles — Mekhi Becton, Duane Brown and George Fant — on injured reserve and one other, Max Mitchell, unlikely to play with a knee damage. Brown could come off IR earlier than the sport, although, and Alijah Vera-Tucker kicking out to deal with may present a strong tandem.
“We prepare like Duane Brown is out there, Alijah Vera-Tucker,” mentioned Clark. “You look at the way they use their offensive line, they’ve got a bunch of different guys. That’s a small piece to the puzzle in terms of knowing your personnel and how you’re rushing a certain type of guy. It’s definitely a part of it.”
Helping the Dolphins’ potential to create extra sacks and turnovers is that they’ve been strong in run protection, exterior of some lengthy rushes and quarterback scrambles to cellular passers they’ve confronted within the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Bills’ Josh Allen. Getting New York into third-and-longs will present possibilities to place Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, who was intercepted twice final week towards the Steelers, beneath duress.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com