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Dolphins are betting that scheme, coaching can overcome a lack of talent at defensive end

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Sceeto, Jun 5, 2019.

  1. Sceeto

    Sceeto Well-Known Member

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    https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article230077674.html

    As we’ve reported, the Dolphins plan to play their defensive tackles — led by Wilkins and Davon Godchaux — as ends in a 3-4.

    But the Dolphins’ confidence in being able to survive without NFL starting-caliber defensive ends extends beyond that.

    One NFL official in contact with this Dolphins administration said these defensive coaches, led by head coach Brian Flores, believe varying schemes and keeping teams off balance with play-calling can help overcome marginal talent to an extent, and you don’t necessarily need big names to generate a pass rush.


    The Dolphins also believe that by changing coverages and giving teams different looks, that will also help them overcome a talent deficiency.

    Dolphins linebacker Raekwon McMillan said opponents are not going to be able to anticipate what the Dolphins will do defensively this season, and that will “for sure” be an advantage they haven’t always had in the past.

    “Just the aspect that we can come in at any formation and put our best up and get the best 11 cats on the field and play any defense we want,” he said.

    One of the tough positions to learn in this defense is the hybrid linebacker/end position that Charles Harris, AAF alum Tyrone Holmes and others are handling now.

    Kyle Van Noy played a similar hybrid position very well for the Patriots in recent years. He had 92 tackles, including five for loss, and 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and an interception last season.

    ▪ Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents Dolphins cornerback/safety Bobby McCain, said on his weekly WSVN-Fox 7 segment with Steve Shapiro on Sunday that“a very popular thing in the NFL is moving cornerbacks to safety to give your team the maximum athleticism in the secondary.

    “The Dolphins have the potential to have four cornerbacks starting in their secondary: Xavien Howard, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Bobby McCain and whoever wins the other cornerback spot. If they play those guys, that’s going to be one of the most athletic coverage secondaries in the NFL.”




     
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  2. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    I would be SOOOOO happy if this turns out to be the case. Imagine being able to say coaching despite lack of talent was a reason we won.
     
  3. Pauly

    Pauly Season Ticket Holder

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    Imagine players saying “I was able to succeed because the coach put me in the right position to succeed”
     
  4. Phin McCool

    Phin McCool Well-Known Member

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    No *****-footing around out there now....
     
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  5. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

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    I think you still need talent but I think it’s clear previous coaching regimes had talent that underperformed. If this regime can get players to outperform while we rebuild, I’ll be pretty excited and optimistic.
     
  6. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

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    Well...Flores said almost word for word what I said about pass rush in a previous post.

    I guess we sail or sink together lol
     
  7. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    You've got the blitzes and stunts from the Patriots, and hopefully the institutional knowledge to use them well- but I don't know how well that's going to work without the flexibility they have.

    The Patriots can field a defense which essentially has 5(or even more) credible edge rushers on the field on an every down and distance in a variety of formations and coverage shells. They can disguise who they've got coming because they can play 3-4 OLBs as ILBs and DEs as interior players. The Dolphins aren't there yet, and I think that's going to hurt a bit.
     
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  8. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

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    I think that only matters if you think we are going to copy/paste what NE does.

    Im sure there will be a great deal of it but lets not forget that wasnt Flores playbook or personell really. Im sure he has ideas on what hed like to do differently here.
     
  9. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I think it's certainly going to be what they want to build towards- they certainly seem to have purposefully gathered the expertise for it, and honestly I don't know why you wouldn't- it's an excellent, incredibly flexible defense. You're subject to some constraining factors, and it'll be a little bit harder/more expensive to build towards with multiple other teams valuing some of the same previously under-valued parts... but I can't imagine it isn't the end goal.

    In the short term, I think you might see a little bit more Green Bay to the defense(drawing on what Patrick Graham did with them last year) in that you might see a bunch of Bear/condensed fronts with three big linemen in the middle(as opposed to what NE did), but they certainly seem to be actively looking for the parts.
     
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  10. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

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    Sure, Im not denying it will be similar or even use a lot of similar archetypes.

    Every coach has his own flavor though. What I more mean is that the emphasis he puts on skill at certain positions may not be exactly what they had in NE.

    In other words - priority within the system.

    The Patriots defense hasnt always been stellar. There is room to improve or change what they do and where the most talent is accumulated.

    Im not saying hes going to come out and run a new scheme or not use the same principals.
     
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  11. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    The way I see it, we've had guys like Vernon and Oliver that a lot of folks would call average if they weren't lined up opposite Cam Wake...but they legit earned those sack numbers from scheme and execution. I don't think your D line needs to be household names to be effective- I just think they have to be motivated and hungry to make plays. They're not in the NFL if they don't have a certain level of talent so I'm not including that in the criteria....if they're here, they CAN perform at high levels. It's just putting them in that position to succeed.

    What does that mean for 2019? Well, that was a weakness last year so I doubt things will get worse up front. We have speed/talent at linebacker and I think that will compensate for a lot overall. Dare I say we'll be average in pressuring the QB? I'm not personally worried at that aspect of the game with Flores at the helm...I think the D will be pretty good this season.

    The offense on the other hand? That worries me.
     
  12. Surfs Up 99

    Surfs Up 99 Team Flores & Team Tua

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    Has anyone heard anything about how our coaches are doing as compared to what we have seen with the Dolphins in previous years? It seems to me, looking from the outside in, that Flores and co. have their **** together and are doing a good job. I know we will see how they are doing when we actually start playing football, but it would be nice to know if we are on the right track to turning this ****ing thing around.
     
  13. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    From what I've read in the media, practices seem a lot more organized and players are saying that they're working harder than they have in a long time in Miami. The coaching does look like a really strong roster so we'll have to see....remember that it's still super early and it's really those positional coaches that nobody knows the name of that has the biggest early impact.

    Also, Flores is the type that never really compliments anyone- he'll say, "Good job...but you can do better next time." He's like that with everyone, always expecting perfection and riding players hard. That philosophy works well if you're winning, not so much if you're losing consistently. So we'll have to see once the season starts if he's on the right path or not.

    Overall I'm happy with what I'm reading so far but again, it's super super early. Devante catching TD's in shorts doesn't impress me and we'll have to see in a few months if this team has actually taken strides or not.
     
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  14. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

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    I would imagine Flores becomes more "good job" and less "but" further down the line.

    I could be 100% wrong but Id assume he doesnt want anyone feeling too accomplished in shorts at this point.
     
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  15. Surfs Up 99

    Surfs Up 99 Team Flores & Team Tua

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    I know it's not like the others we have had didn't have high standards, but I like how Flores handles his business. He legitimately wants everyone to succeed and will do everything to help them; however, he isn't just going to hand them the job. The best that I can tell it's not just talk. They have to earn it.
     
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  16. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, and its not fair to players to just tell them everything is perfect. The best want to know their own flaws. I get a feeling guys who cant handle a little criticism wont last long...but thats fine as long as hes fair.
     
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  17. tirty8

    tirty8 Well-Known Member

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    I think every team in the league would do this if they could. There is a reason EDGE guys are some of the highest paid guys in the NFL.
     

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