Phin Phanatic
FanSided

The top three Miami Dolphins free safeties since 2000

By Dale-Paul Jordan

MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 25: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after making the tackle in the second quarter during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 25: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after making the tackle in the second quarter during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Charles Clay #85 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball as T.J. McDonald #22 of the Miami Dolphins and teammate Kiko Alonso #47 attempt to tackle Clay during the second quarter on December 17, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Charles Clay #85 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball as T.J. McDonald #22 of the Miami Dolphins and teammate Kiko Alonso #47 attempt to tackle Clay during the second quarter on December 17, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

#2 TJ McDonald

One of the best players on the Dolphins last year was TJ McDonald. TJ was finally healthy and was able to play a 14 game season, something that he has not accomplished since 2016.   TJ was asked to play all over the field, especially, when the highest paid player on the secondary just suddenly decided he didn’t feel like playing and subbed out (cough cough Reshad Jones).

Where Jones failed, TJ exceeded.  This was a breath of fresh air, as there has been a lot of media attention about TJ and why the Dolphins decided to reward him with a lucrative contract even before he played a game.  Do the Dolphins regret that decision now – hard to tell, as his cap hit makes it so that he cost the Dolphins less if he was on the team, as opposed to being cut or released. One key note is that TJ will have a fresh start with a new coaching regimen to show that he deserves the contract and the associated cap hit.

TJ is going into his 3rd year with the Dolphins, and comparing all his former associates, in terms of talent his pedigree is well deserved.  TJ leaves it on the field every given Sunday. You can feel his presence on the field when you line up with him and on the opposing side of the field, you can hear his presence, by the way, he attacks the line of scrimmage.  TJ has provided a veteran presence inside the backfield that the Dolphins have sorely been missing for years. What he does provide is a solid understanding of the game, and you pair that with Reshad Jones, you have the foundation of a solid last line of defense.

What is to be expected for TJ in the upcoming seasons or better yet this season? To be honest, only a few people know.  Everyone knows that Minkah is the future for the team at Free Safety, so is TJ just a ticking time bomb? Or will Brian Flores create new schemas that deploy multiple safety sets? To be honest, I think the latter would be true.  The best coaches, find a way to get their best players on the field. Just ask Matt Burke why he doesn’t have a job right now – he never fully understood that. TJ, Reshad, and Minkah should all be playing at the same time, as they bring an element to the Miami Dolphins D that hasn’t been seen; ever.

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