I feel like I’m watching the 2021 season again with the Miami Dolphins defense in the first half of this season. Last year, this defense ranked at the bottom of major categories 3rd down defense, sacks, etc. The difference this year is the Dolphins are winning games despite the defense. When was the last time you could say that? The Dolphins’ offense has picked this team up, but the defense will have to start performing better, especially with a brutal three-game road trip around the corner. The defense has been the strength of this team over the last few years and the reason they have been in playoff contention. It’s also why head coach Mike McDaniel retained defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, most of the defensive coaches, and the players. However, here we go again. The Dolphins’ defense isn’t getting off the field consistently, pressuring the quarterback, or forcing turnovers. What is the problem? 

The defense played much better in the second half of the season. One theory is coaching. Former head coach Brian Flores was a defensive coordinator before he became the Dolphins head coach and so obviously that was his strength. He brought Boyer with him from the New England Patriots and it was a good fit. However, last year there were whispers that Flores took over the defensive play calling and game planning amid the Dolphins 1-7 with the defensive struggles. When Flores was fired, some wondered if the Dolphins defense would be the same and with good reason. McDaniel didn’t seem to have any concerns about it, but now it’s fair to wonder if Flores coached up the defense last year.  

Injuries have been an issue, there’s no question about it. The Dolphins hadn’t had starting cornerback Byron Jones all season due to off-season surgery that has everyone wondering if he will even be able to play this year, considering he was supposed to be ready when training camp started. Jones with Xavien Howard is one of the best defensive back duos in the NFL. Jones doesn’t get a lot of interceptions, but he does his job of blanketing the receiver on the other side. The Dolphins have started undrafted rookie Kader Kohou, and he has done an excellent job, but his inexperience is probably one reason the Dolphins don’t blitz as much. Howard hasn’t been himself this year and part of it could be contributed to a nagging groin injury that even kept him out of a game. The Dolphins had season ending injuries to Nik Needham and Brandon Jones, both key contributors the last couple of seasons. Needham has been a terrific nickel back, and Jones blitzes well at the safety position and is a sure tackler when they put him in the box. Emmanuel Ogbah has been bothered by a back issue that could be leading to his ineffectiveness. With a bye week coming up after this week’s game against the Cleveland Browns, it will give the Dolphins an extra week to have some of these nagging injuries heal and they can get healthy for the stretch run. 

However, injuries don’t excuse the front seven. The defensive line and linebackers aren’t doing well rushing the passer and are having issues with running quarterbacks, as last Sunday’s game by Justin Fields showed it’s an area the Dolphins haven’t gotten better at. Stats can be miss leading, as Jalen Phillips might not have the sacks, but he is doing better setting the edge on the run and getting some pressures. He can’t do it himself. Ogbah, even before the back issues, hasn’t been playing like the player the last two years that got him an extension in the offseason. If he’s not getting sacks, Ogbah has always affected the play by knocking down passes and he hasn’t done that this year. The linebackers were all brought back, but if there was one area the Dolphins needed an upgrade this offseason, it was the linebacker position. The Dolphins drafted Channing Tindell in the third round, but they want to bring him along slowly, which is fine. However, the Dolphins need an inside linebacker to go sideline to sideline and make plays, and right now, I’m not seeing it. The Dolphins knew they had to upgrade the pass rush, so they acquired Bradley Chubb from the Denver Broncos and not only gave up a first-round pick to get him but gave him a new contract as well. His presence should help the pass rush in one-on-one battles, but will it take him more time to get in sync with a new defense? 

The Dolphins have time to get things fixed and I realize the defense got off to a slow start and rebounded last year, but why do they have the same things happen again this year? If the Dolphins can’t get things fixed, it should lead to some changes on defense this offseason. However, if the Dolphins defense can come around and complement their offense, this team has a chance to make a serious run this year. 

[pickup_prop id=”29717″]

[pickup_prop id=”29718″]

[pickup_prop id=”24483″]

[pickup_prop id=”21794″]

[pickup_prop id=”22328″]

[pickup_prop id=”22287″]

[pickup_prop id=”25838″]