The Dolphins need tougher players in 2016

As the Miami Dolphins continue their free agency efforts and final preparations for this year’s draft, they need to find players who will bring greater toughness to the 2016 team.

Remember Halloween 2013 when the Dolphins emerged with a 22-20 overtime victory over Cincinnati because Cameron Wake burst through the line and sacked Andy Dalton in the end zone before Dalton even had an opportunity to react? Remember the opening game in 2014 when the Dolphins beat New England 33-20 because Knowshon Moreno fought hard on every carry, rushing 24 times for 134 yards and a TD? Unfortunately, efforts and performances like these were lacking more often than not in 2015, resulting in a 6-10 record and last place in the AFC East. In free agency, in the draft, and at camp, the Dolphins need to find players who will bring more toughness to the field in 2016.

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That is not to say that the current roster lacks any such players. Against the Houston Texans last season, Jarvis Landry caught a 13-yard sideline pass and could have simply stepped out of bounds (ala Ted Ginn, Jr.), but instead turned, avoided a defender, juked another, broke two tackles, ran all the way across the field, juked another defender at the 5, and extended the ball while being tackled, resulting in a touchdown and a 13-0 Dolphins lead. Recently, Landry said that he doesn’t want any limits and will do whatever the coaches want him to, including running the ball, throwing a pass, or even being on the offensive line. Landry is only one player, but his attitude and toughness need to permeate throughout if the 2016 team is to be an improvement over the 2015 version.

A good place to start would be on the offensive line, the unit that gave up 45 sacks for 420 yards and often struggled to create holes for the running backs or time for the quarterbacks. A line that committed too many penalties, frequently at inopportune times. A line that made too many mental errors, like Jamil Douglas not knowing the snap count on 4th down at the end of the game against the Indianapolis Colts, resulting in an 18-12 loss. The offensive line needs players who are physically and mentally tough, who can hold off opposing defenses without committing penalties, open holes for the running game, and provide time for the quarterbacks and receivers to execute the passing game.

Move on to the defensive line, the group that was among the worst in the league in rushing defense, one that sacked opposing quarterbacks just 31 times (less than twice each game). A line that simply could not be counted on to stop running backs on obvious running plays or not to commit a costly penalty. If the Dolphins fail to improve their toughness on both lines, 2016 will be another long season.

Toughness is not simply physical strength or skill; it requires a certain attitude and determination. Responsibility for that falls on the coaching staff. There seemed to be promise in 2015 when Dan Campbell’s teams first took the field, but the attitude was not sustained for the rest of the season, and, as a result, Campbell is with New Orleans in 2016. The task now falls on new head coach Adam Gase, his staff, and the front office. Welcome back, find, sign, draft, and coach players whose toughness can be developed and improved upon. Only then can the Dolphins honestly talk about being competitive and putting this team into playoff position at the end of the 2016 season.

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