MIAMI – Jevon Holland did not want to make excuses after the Miami Dolphins’ defense gave up 234 speeding yards in a time-opening acquire above the Los Angeles Chargers.
“We need to have to be better,” the 3rd-calendar year basic safety stated. “Basic and simple.”
Expanding pains ended up expected as the Dolphins transition to the plan of new coordinator Vic Fangio. They struggled to get force with their front four in the opener and were being gashed on the ground just after finishing 2022 with the league’s fourth-finest operate defense.
Coach Mike McDaniel praised the protection for eventually sealing the gain with two timely sacks of Justin Herbert on the Chargers’ last generate, but reported he desires to see a “consistent mode of progression” from the unit this week as the team prepares to experience New England Sunday evening.
“I think there is a lot of people today with the suitable motivations that were being trying to independently make performs and not pondering about approach and fundamentals,” McDaniel reported.
Miami made numerous variations in the offseason meant to bolster a protection that completed 18th in general and 27th from the go in 2022 — partially due to the fact of injuries in the secondary.
The Dolphins traded for All-Professional cornerback Jalen Ramsey in March, but he tore the meniscus in his still left knee at the commence of schooling camp and will skip the very first aspect of the season. They also signed linebacker David Extensive Jr. following he spent the past 4 seasons with Tennessee.
Extensive performed just 17 snaps against the Chargers, which McDaniel stated was dictated by the video game prepare. Prolonged, who experienced two interceptions past calendar year, claimed he feels the protection will get much better as players get a lot more comfy in the new scheme.
“Glimpse to your still left and your suitable,” Prolonged stated Wednesday. “We’ve got canine all throughout the board. We need to hold ourselves to a superior conventional, and I feel we took that initiative these days.”
Linebacker Jaelan Phillips claimed the Dolphins failed to “earn the ideal” to hurry the passer Sunday due to the fact they available minor resistance in opposition to the run. The Chargers averaged 5.8 yards for each rush and transformed on 60% of their 3rd-down makes an attempt.
“They weren’t truly fall-again passing also generally,” Phillips claimed. “The several fall-again passes they did have, it’s variety of difficult to get in a rhythm when they’re just functioning the ball on you. You’ve got acquired to end the operate right before you can actually get to these 3rd-and-long predicaments.”
Phillips, who merged with cornerback Justin Bethel for the activity-sealing sack, included that it is something to proper with “self-discipline and system” as the Dolphins prepare for 7 days 2, recognizing that Invoice Belichick’s staff will glimpse to exploit the defense in the exact methods.
“It’s a copycat league,” he said, “so any time you are assessing somebody on film and you see that a particular play or specific development has success, you happen to be most most likely heading to go out there and attempt to repeat that accomplishment. So we’re heading to have to go out there and set the tone and verify that we can cease the run.”
The Dolphins have won 4 of their final five matchups with New England, which include a 20-7 get in Week 1 last year when they held the Patriots to 78 yards speeding. Miami sacked Mac Jones 2 times and intercepted him while limiting the Patriots to 271 total yards.
New England brought in coordinator Bill O’Brien in an endeavor to enhance its offense.
“Invoice O’Brien has constantly finished a really great position,” McDaniel mentioned, “and I think they are undertaking some matters that — you can tell when there is certainly connectivity concerning coach and quarterback, and there’s stuff that he is playing pretty self-confident in. It can be a superior litmus test when the quarterback is taking part in superior.”
NOTES: LT Terron Armstead (again/ankle/knee) returned to practice Wednesday in a non-contact jersey following lacking the time opener. … Tua Tagovailoa was named AFC Offensive Participant of the Week right after passing for 466 yards and a few TDs versus the Chargers.
