Will Dolphins defense be key to 2022 success?
Whereas the arrival of Tyreek Hill headlined the Miami Dolphins‘ offseason, might the crew’s protection be the important thing to a profitable 2022 season?
The Dolphins had been one of the vital lively groups within the NFL this offseason, most notably buying Hill from the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Miami additionally added former New Orleans Saints deal with Terron Armstead, former Dallas Cowboys guard Connor Williams and former Arizona Cardinals operating again Chase Edmonds to a crew with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
With new head coach Mike McDaniel — who was beforehand the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers below Kyle Shanahan — taking the helm, Tagovailoa coming into his third NFL season, and the crew’s bevy of offensive pickups, all eyes are on Miami’s offense.
Nonetheless, the opposite unit should not be so rapidly forgotten.
Dolphins defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah, who re-signed with the crew on a four-year deal this offseason, informed Professional Soccer Community’s Aaron Wilson that the crew’s protection might be “scary” this season.
“The protection, for certain, may be scary this yr as a result of everyone knows one another,” Ogbah stated. “Everyone knows what one another are able to, our strengths and our weaknesses. We’re all going to assist one another and compete with one another. It is an thrilling time for the protection. We’re excited.”
Miami misplaced seven of its first eight video games final season. Throughout these first eight contests, the Dolphins allowed 29.1 factors per recreation (twenty ninth in NFL), 406.9 yards per recreation (thirty second in NFL), 291.1 passing yards per recreation (thirty first in NFL) and 115.8 dashing yards per recreation (nineteenth in NFL). They logged 12 sacks (tied for twenty eighth in NFL), 26 tackles for loss (tied for twenty sixth in NFL) and three interceptions (tied for twenty fifth in NFL).
Miami additionally allowed 4 30-plus level video games in these eight contests. Then the Dolphins flipped the script.
Throughout their final 9 video games, the place they went 8-1, the Dolphins allowed 15.6 factors per recreation (second in NFL), 275.9 yards per recreation (third in NFL), 171.3 passing yards per recreation (fourth in NFL) and 104.6 dashing yards per recreation (tenth in NFL). They logged 36 sacks (tied for first in NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers), 48 tackles for loss (seventh in NFL) and 11 interceptions (tied for third in NFL). Miami allowed 30-plus factors in simply a kind of 9 video games and 20-plus factors in simply three of these video games.
Ogbah, who logged 9 sacks and 9 tackles for loss in 2021, sees himself rising as a pacesetter for the Dolphins protection.
“Considering of me as a vet, I’m again there, serving to the youthful guys and simply communicate up once I have to and be a captain of the crew. You’ll be able to all the time get higher at every thing. The sacks, the batted balls, or simply tackling — return and watch the movie and enhance on the little issues.”
Miami’s protection, overseen by defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, additionally options cornerback Xavien Howard, linebacker Jerome Baker and defensive lineman Christian Wilkins. Ogbah’s teammate, linebacker Jaelan Phillips, is coming into his second NFL season with the previous singing the latter’s praises.
“Jaelan shocked me this offseason,” Ogbah stated. “He has the mentality. I’m excited to see his development this yr. I’m excited to see him work, and we obtained Melvin (Ingram), too. I’m excited for him to be part of the crew.”
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