With the 2022 NFL season quick approaching, the South Florida Sun Sentinel takes a take a look at 10 storylines to look at for in a 10-part sequence forward of the Miami Dolphins’ first day of coaching camp, which is about for July 27.
What makes the Miami Dolphins protection so thrilling, other than all of the game-changing performs cornerback Xavien Howard is able to making, is the best way the unit blitzes.
The Dolphins blitzed on 39.6 % of opposing quarterback dropbacks in 2021, in line with Pro Football Reference, which ranked second within the NFL to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 40.8 %. But no person is prepared to carry extra go rushers than Miami, daring to dial up that patented zero-blitz with the safeties attacking the quarterback and cornerbacks left in single protection with no assist excessive.
Even higher than the 48 sacks the Dolphins recorded final season, which have been good for fifth within the NFL, Miami led the league in quarterback knockdowns per go try, doing so at a 12.7-percent clip.
The components all return for the Dolphins to have simply as efficient of a go rush, if not higher. Adding to defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah and outdoors linebacker Jaelan Phillips, the crew added veteran three-time Pro Bowl edge defender Melvin Ingram.
Defensive coordinator Josh Boyer is again to orchestrate it with the identical items, however he’ll additionally must show he can name the protection on his personal with out former coach Brian Flores supporting him. It’ll be his accountability now with new coach Mike McDaniel coming to Miami with an offensive background.
The nature of this go rush is for it to not be depending on anyone defender to offer stress, which is evidenced by one other season the place no Dolphin posted double-digit sacks. It can come from anyone at any time with the varied defensive fronts, stunts and unique blitzes the protection dials up.
Ogbah’s 9 sacks led the Dolphins protection in 2021. Beyond the mere sack numbers, Ogbah has change into one of many NFL’s finest at affecting the passer even when he doesn’t get to him earlier than the throw. He additionally had 24 quarterback hits, and his 12 go deflections on the line of scrimmage have been most by a defensive lineman since 2016. It helped get Ogbah a four-year, $65 million cope with the Dolphins that features $32 million assured within the eleventh hour as free-agent negotiations with different groups have been minutes from starting.
Opposite of Ogbah, there may be the high-motor Phillips coming into his second season after setting a Dolphins rookie sack document with 8 1/2 in 2021. The University of Miami alum received over a shaky begin to his first skilled season to change into a valued go rusher when requested to easily put his head down and get after it as a substitute of being versatile in Miami’s complicated fronts. Phillips received leaner within the offseason as he appears to contribute as an all-around exterior linebacker.
While many of the Dolphins’ high offseason acquisitions got here on offense, the crew’s one main defensive increase was supplied in Ingram. The 33-year-old brings 55 profession sacks between common and postseason play with him to Miami. Making his mark in his prime with the Chargers, Ingram noticed a resurgence within the second half of final season with the Chiefs, changing into a constant starter and offering persistent stress in Kansas City’s run that ended a recreation shy of the Super Bowl. Ingram, who has performed each defensive finish and outdoors linebacker in his profession, figures to hurry the passer extra standing up within the Dolphins’ scheme.
Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel returns his 4 sacks from final season, which was a small dropoff from 5 1/2 in 2020, however he additionally recorded a career-high 62 tackles and 7 go deflections. Fellow linebacker Jerome Baker, a frontrunner on the protection, had 5 1/2 sacks final 12 months. In the second half, his potential on the skin was unlocked by sending him out on the sting extra usually to make the most of his pace as Duke Riley persistently contributed inside linebacker reps alongside Elandon Roberts. That tandem returns whereas Miami additionally drafted speedy Georgia inside linebacker Channing Tindall within the third spherical.
On the defensive position, other than Ogbah, Christian Wilkins grew to become as full of a defensive sort out as he has been in his third NFL season, recording a career-high 4 1/2 sacks whereas posting 89 tackles, which is tied for probably the most by an NFL defensive lineman since 2013 with Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward additionally doing it final 12 months. Wilkins and Zach Sieler are pivotal elements to the go rush, each in their very own proper and in opening issues up for the pace rushers.
The X-factor of the Dolphins’ go rush over different NFL groups, although, is that willingness to blitz the safeties. Brandon Jones led all NFL safeties with 5 sacks. Second-year free security Jevon Holland is able to both being left alone deep enjoying middle area in these cases or are available on the blitz himself after registering 2 1/2 sacks as a rookie.
It all comes full circle with the cornerback protection and the way permitting Howard, Byron Jones and Nik Needham play man-to-man grants Boyer that capacity to blitz additional linebackers and safeties on passing downs.
Previously addressed
Can Dolphins get identical manufacturing from Tyreek Hill in Miami?
Will Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer be capable of show he doesn’t want Brian Flores’ assist?
In what methods can Mike McDaniel’s teaching model, offensive thoughts profit Dolphins?
Can wide-zone scheme jump-start Dolphins’ run recreation?
How a lot enchancment could be anticipated from Tua Tagovailoa after all the things Dolphins put round him?
Will Jaylen Waddle and Mike Gesicki praise Tyreek Hill to provide Dolphins a harmful offensive trio?
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Source: www.bostonherald.com