Miami Dolphins: 4 unsung heroes that have made this season possible
By Matt Serniak
Mike McDaniel knew what he was doing, what else is new, when he targets Matt Applebaum to be the offensive line coach for the Miami Dolphins.
Who is Matt Applebaum? He’s the offensive line coach in case you didn’t know or read the bolded sentence right above. He came from Boston College and he has done what was thought to be impossible and that was to bring stability to a position group who knows no such thing.
I think you have to go back to around 2015ish to when the Miami Dolphins had what you would call a functioning offensive line and it only lasted about a season or so.
It started a hair rocky with Applebaum here in Miami. Losing your starting right tackle, albeit one who nobody has ever seen play well, in week one isn’t ideal. And the running game has been a bit maligned for most of the season.
But the pass-blocking has been very good. Here’s a nice visual for all you visual learners out there.
The last time the Miami Dolphins had an offensive line this respectable, the GOAT Laremy Tunsil was still here. I think some folks owe Grier/Applebaum an apology.
— George Forder (@GeorgeForder3) November 15, 2022
(per @PFF) pic.twitter.com/OoXHCfKT5t
Now I realize the wizardry that is PFF isn’t anything to take as gospel but just use your eyes. The offensive line has been head, shoulders, and whatever other body parts you want to include better than last year when Miami housed three of the worst lineman in history on one line.
This year, Tua has only been sacked eight times. That’s really good considering how much the Miami Dolphins throw the ball.
With how the Dolphin’s offense is predicated on timing and rhythm, it requires an offensive line that is on the same page and one that can make those passing lanes possible which is even harder to do when the QB is, brace for it, not very tall compared to others that we will not name.
Oh, and that running game, yeah since Jeff Wilson Jr. arrived the offensive line is starting to smash people off the line of scrimmage. They’re playing with an intensity that is only increasing as does the Hulk, not Hogan, as he gets angrier.
Matt Applebaum deserves a lot of the credit. Yes, he got Terron Armstead and Connar Williams(let’s not act like everyone was tripping over themselves for Williams in free agency) but he’s mostly working with guys that were here last year and dudes that they’re signing off the street. Hats off to Applebaum.
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