Phin Phanatic
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3 keys to a successful Miami Dolphins 2022 under Mike McDaniel

By Brian Miller

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 10: (L - R) President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Garfinkel, Head coach Mike McDaniel, Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner Stephen M. Ross, and General Manager Chris Grier of the Miami Dolphins pose during the introduction of Mike McDaniel to the media on February 10, 2022 at the Miami Dolphins Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 10: (L - R) President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Garfinkel, Head coach Mike McDaniel, Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner Stephen M. Ross, and General Manager Chris Grier of the Miami Dolphins pose during the introduction of Mike McDaniel to the media on February 10, 2022 at the Miami Dolphins Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – AUGUST 21: Josh Boyer of the Miami Dolphins looks on during a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Hard Rock Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Josh Boyer has been the Dolphins “understudy” at defensive coordinator for two seasons. By understudy I mean he has watched Brian Flores coach the defense and call the plays. Miami executives are betting the farm that Boyer is responsible or at the very least capable of keeping the Dolphins defense trending in the right direction. If that doesn’t happen, Miami is going to have at best, an average defense that will need an offense to off-set them.

The Dolphins have a lot of quality talent on the defensive side of the ball and that should bode well for Boyer. He knows the players and the system and should get a few more quality defenders in free agency or the draft. His coaching staff will have to continue to develop the talent that is there and he needs to stay aggressive.

Last year, fans were confused as to whether or not Flores or Boyer was calling plays during the 7 game win streak and the 7 game losing streak but does it matter? The 7 game losing streak included games against the Raiders, the Bills twice, Buccaneers, and Colts.

The 7 game winning streak was highlighted by two games against the Jets, the Texans, Giants, Panthers, and a depleted Saints roster due to COVID. That stretch was highlighted by a huge win against the Ravens giving up only 10 points. That game followed a defensive team meeting held by Flores.

Boyer is a big key to the success of the Dolphins in 2022. He has to maintain the same level of aggressive and physical play but he also needs the offense to be better too. This year, Boyer doesn’t have Flores to hind behind.

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