Phin Phanatic
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Dolphins 2016 Safety preview: Isa Abdul-Quddus

By Dale-Paul Jordan

Dec 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) gets tackled by Detroit Lions strong safety Isa Abdul-Quddus (42) and outside linebacker Josh Bynes (57) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Lions win 32-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) gets tackled by Detroit Lions strong safety Isa Abdul-Quddus (42) and outside linebacker Josh Bynes (57) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Lions win 32-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Dolphins have been looking for a Free Safety ever since Brock Marion left to sign with the Detroit Lions.  The irony here is that the Dolphins once again signed a former Detroit Lion hoping to resolve the free parking spot that has been vacant since Marion left.

2015 review

First thing I think we need to do is create a nickname for this kid, my idea is IQ.  I am hoping that IQ has the smarts to back this up.  There isn’t a lot of game tape on this young player, as his speciality before signing with the Dolphins was special teams.  However, this past year things started to change for IQ.  The Lions benched one of their prized free agents. James Ihedigbo, after the Green Bay Packers game, and IQ had a chance to shine in the spotlight.

Although it wasn’t the Hollywood entrance IQ was hoping for, he did fair better than Ihedigbo, which was all the Lions wanted for him.  A player that could control the secondary without giving up the home run play.

2015 stats

42 tackles, 1 sacks, 0Interceptions, 1 Forced Fumble

 

2016 preview

Vance Joseph was hired as the Dolphins new defensive coordinator and one of his first free agent signing was IQ.  That right there should provide all Dolphins fans a little assurance that our new DC went after a player he wanted.  Joseph does have the ability to bring out the best in aging veterans, as we have seen with Leon Hall, Adam Jones, and Reggie Nelson.  Perhaps under Joseph tutelage, IQ will have ever opportunity to develop his game to the next level.  Working alongside Reshad Jones will only provide a guidance on what it takes to be successful at this level.

Reviewing the game tape for the Lions since IQ started, we can see a players that has solid shadowing movements His hip level quickness is key and his lateral movements allows him to break in and out of read very carefully, especially in zone coverage.  His man pressing needs work though, especially against double moves, as we can see from the Green Bay game.

His strike skills are solid and he is quick at the line of scrimmage which led to his first sack and forced fumble.  The key line that goes unsaid based on his stat last year was that he didn’t allow an over the top play to develop.  Which was evident based on his opposition last year – battling the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Demaryius Thomas, and former Dolphins Mike Wallace.

All Dolphin fans can hope that IQ is smart enough to win and maintain the Free Safety position.  However, there is a steep challenge for him to not only prove himself to his team, but to the new front office who just invested 4 million per year.

2016 stats

16 games: 73 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 Interceptions,

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