The Miami Dolphins are banking on new head coach Brian Flores’ defensive prowess to help them make a big jump on the defensive side of the football. Miami has ranked in the bottom three of the entire NFL in either defensive points allowed or defensive yardage conceded during each of the last three years — the entire Adam Gase era.
One of the keys to Miami’s defensive success in year one of the Flores era will be how quickly the team can find players to fit their desired roles — and how many players simply have to go.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald released an excellent update on whispers from within the Dolphins organization — specifically how the team feels about their prospects on the defensive side of the ball. The most coveted information? Jackson has begun to outline a key sub-package for the Dolphins in passing situations.
“Keep in mind that the Patriots, with Flores as de facto defensive coordinator, used six natural defensive backs on 27 percent of their defensive snaps last season — among the highest totals in the league,” wrote Jackson. “What’s more, the Patriots last year used a formation with three defensive linemen, two linebackers and six defensive backs on 20 percent of their defensive snaps.”
If the Dolphins are going to use a high volume of defensive backs, it aids the team’s lack of depth at defensive end — even if that somewhat compromises the team’s pass rush. Here’s how we could see Miami’s “Dime” sub-package play out — a formation we could see potentially on 20 percent of Miami’s snaps this year if Flores follows the same trends.
(Heavy) Defensive line: Christian Wilkins, Davon Godchaux, Akeem Spence
(Speed) Defensive line: Charles Harris, Christian Wilkins, Tank Carradine
Linebackers: Jerome Baker, Kiko Alonso
Defensive Backs: Xavien Howard (CB), Minkah Fitzpatrick (slot), Eric Rowe (CB), Reshad Jones (SS), Bobby McCain (FS), T.J. McDonald (S/LB)
