MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Jevon Holland didn’t want to make excuses following the Miami Dolphins’ defense gave up 234 dashing yards in a year-opening acquire in excess of the Los Angeles Chargers.
“We will need to be greater,” the 3rd-calendar year protection mentioned. “Plain and simple.”
Developing pains have been envisioned as the Dolphins changeover to the scheme of new coordinator Vic Fangio. They struggled to get pressure with their front four in the opener and were gashed on the floor following finishing 2022 with the league’s fourth-best run protection.
Mentor Mike McDaniel praised the protection for in the long run sealing the acquire with two timely sacks of Justin Herbert on the Chargers’ last travel, but explained he desires to see a “constant method of progression” from the unit this week as the staff prepares to confront New England Sunday night.
“I assume there is a whole lot of persons with the right motivations that were being attempting to independently make performs and not imagining about method and fundamentals,” McDaniel reported.
Miami built various variations in the offseason intended to bolster a defense that completed 18th overall and 27th in opposition to the go in 2022 — partially since of accidents in the secondary.
The Dolphins traded for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey in March, but he tore the meniscus in his remaining knee at the start of instruction camp and will miss the to start with aspect of the time. They also signed linebacker David Prolonged Jr. immediately after he used the previous 4 seasons with Tennessee.
Long performed just 17 snaps from the Chargers, which McDaniel mentioned was dictated by the activity system. Prolonged, who experienced two interceptions previous 12 months, claimed he feels the defense will get greater as players get far more comfortable in the new plan.
“Look to your remaining and your proper,” Long mentioned Wednesday. “We’ve bought puppies all throughout the board. We want to maintain ourselves to a improved regular, and I feel we took that initiative now.”
Linebacker Jaelan Phillips claimed the Dolphins did not “earn the right” to rush the passer Sunday simply because they presented very little resistance versus the operate. The Chargers averaged 5.8 yards for every hurry and converted on 60% of their third-down tries.
“They weren’t really fall-back again passing also usually,” Phillips said. “The few drop-back passes they did have, it is variety of hard to get in a rhythm when they are just functioning the ball on you. You have received to halt the run prior to you can actually get to individuals third-and-lengthy scenarios.”
Phillips, who put together with cornerback Justin Bethel for the video game-sealing sack, additional that it is something to suitable with “discipline and technique” as the Dolphins get ready for 7 days 2, figuring out that Monthly bill Belichick’s team will appear to exploit the defense in the similar means.
“It’s a copycat league,” he claimed, “so any time you’re examining anyone on film and you see that a particular participate in or sure development has accomplishment, you’re most possible likely to go out there and test to repeat that achievement. So we’re heading to have to go out there and set the tone and show that we can stop the run.”
The Dolphins have gained 4 of their very last 5 matchups with New England, like a 20-7 earn in 7 days 1 final year when they held the Patriots to 78 yards hurrying. Miami sacked Mac Jones two times and intercepted him although limiting the Patriots to 271 complete yards.
New England brought in coordinator Invoice O’Brien in an endeavor to improve its offense.
“Bill O’Brien has often carried out a really good work,” McDaniel mentioned, “and I feel they’re undertaking some issues that — you can tell when there’s connectivity among coach and quarterback, and there is stuff that he’s enjoying incredibly assured in. It is a superior litmus take a look at when the quarterback is actively playing better.”
NOTES: LT Terron Armstead (back/ankle/knee) returned to observe Wednesday in a non-speak to jersey immediately after missing the season opener. … Tua Tagovailoa was named AFC Offensive Player of the 7 days right after passing for 466 yards and three TDs from the Chargers.
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