Phin Phanatic
FanSided

For the Miami Dolphins, it all starts with the defensive side of the ball

By Dale-Paul Jordan

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 01: Miami Dolphins defense lines up against the Los Angeles Rams at Hard Rock Stadium on November 01, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 01: Miami Dolphins defense lines up against the Los Angeles Rams at Hard Rock Stadium on November 01, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 17: Outside linebacker Haason Reddick #43 of the Carolina Panthers flexes after making a tackle as linebacker Jermaine Carter #4 of the Carolina Panthers and guard Oli Udoh #74 of the Minnesota Vikings look on during the second quarter of the football game at Bank of America Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 17: Outside linebacker Haason Reddick #43 of the Carolina Panthers flexes after making a tackle as linebacker Jermaine Carter #4 of the Carolina Panthers and guard Oli Udoh #74 of the Minnesota Vikings look on during the second quarter of the football game at Bank of America Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

Miami has failed to create an organic pass rush during Josh Boyer or even past head coach Brain Flores tenure.  Yes, the Dolphins introduced the Zero blitz formation, but that just confused opposing players to not know who was coming and who was a fake.  In their base defense, did Miami actually get pressure on quarterbacks?

The answer is no.  I think Emmanuel Ogbah is a great player, but if he’s looking to cash in, I hope the team that signs him knows that he can’t win one on one matchups.  What the Dolphins need is Jason Taylor or Joey Porter or a player that demands double teams.  I think Jalen Phillips will eventually look to become that deciding force, but as of right now, he’s not Chase Young.   Miami needs to make an impact on the edge and looking the draft capital, Miami isn’t in a position to draft an impact player, as such, they would be forced to free agency to find that type of immediate impact.  The player that makes the most sense is Hassan Reddick. Reddick was considered a bust in Arizona, that didn’t live up to his draft pedigree.  It wasn’t until his contract year, that he started to ‘ball out’.  Last year, Reddick signed a one year prove it deal with Carolina, and the results showed that he’s looking for a long term contract that can be justified.

Reddick is two years younger than Ogbah, and will look to help inject some life to a line that needs speed on the edge.  Reddick played 16 games last year and tuned that into 11 sacks.  That is the firs time he has ever produced back to back double digital sacks.  The only fear in signing Reddick to a long term contract is production.  If he gest the money will the results start to fade, or does he want to build on the legacy that he has started the past 2 seasons?

Miami might look to create an incentive ridden contract that works best for both sides, but Riddick in South Florida would make this team special.

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