Realistic expectations for the Miami Dolphins 2018 season
By Brian Miller
Expectations should be higher for the offense provided Tannehill stays healthy. Those expectations on defense should be far less. Tempered may be too positive. Simply put there are too many questions right now that we have no answers for.
It starts up front with the defensive line. The rotation of Jordan Phillips, Davon Godchaux, Vincent Taylor, and Akeem Spence is questionable right now. There is too much youth and inexperience from Godchaux and Taylor and while the move to let Ndamukong Suh go was smart, there is no one person ready to pick up that slack and improve the players around him.
The bigger issue however is at linebacker where youth is the name of the unit. Jerome Baker has looked very good so far but Raekwon McMillan is still a week to week player who has a lot of potential but struggling a bit after missing all of last season.
While Kiko Alonso provides a veteran presence there are hiccups in his game that can’t be overcome by McMillan or Baker at this stage of their careers. Add to this situation the questions at corner and you start to see how the problems are evolving without a clear solution.
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Xavien Howard has one side locked down but the other corner position is up in the air to the point that so much uncertainty exists. Bobby McCain has jumped outside but his forte is the slot corner. That is now being handled by rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick. In essence, three of the Dolphins starters on defense are rookies. Fitzpatrick, Baker, and McMillan.
Cordrea Tankersley has struggled through pre-season and let’s not forget that he is only entering his second season after an average rookie season.
The biggest question for the defense as it relates to what we have seen thus far is Matt Burke. Is it realistic to assume that Burke has what it takes to be a defensive coordinator? He is in his 2nd season and should make a big jump this year with his scheme calling but does he have the players to make it work?
Miami’s defense is going to be predicated on several factors. The defensive ends are going to be key in setting the edge to force runners inside the linebackers and applying pressure to the quarterback quickly enough to force errant throws. Miami’s linebackers and corners on one side are not good enough yet to handle coverage for more than a few seconds.
The read and react approach from three pre-season games has shown a lot of weakness in Miami’s front seven but is that in part due to lack of game planning? It’s entirely possible but again, it only serves to drive the expectations of the defense lower.