Miami Dolphins: 3 players with most to prove against Jets

Andrew Van Ginkel

What could have been a breakout season for Andrew Van Ginkel has fallen a bit short of expectations. He had an opportunity to cement himself as one of the starting linebackers for the near future, but his mediocre performance has only led to more questions.

But the third-year backer has begun to come on as of late. In the last two games, Van Ginkel has nine total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4 QB hits, and 1 pass defended. Both of the games have been near-stellar performances from the Dolphins’ defense, and he has played a big part in that. Last Thursday’s game against the Ravens was the first time all season that Van Ginkel played more than 90 percent of the defensive snaps. His previous high on the year was 76 percent.

If Van Ginkel can keep up the production, then look for him to become a bigger part of the defense for the final seven games. Coach Brian Flores has seemed to have found something that works in his current blitz schemes, and Van Ginkel would certainly be a benefactor should this brand of play calling continue.

Some of Van Ginkel’s quietest games as a pro have come against the Jets, but he’ll look to buck that trend this Sunday. If he can prove that the production totals of the last two games were not a fluke, then he could start to make a case for remaining a starter.