Phin Phanatic
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Miami Dolphins potential defensive coordinator candidates

By Dale-Paul Jordan

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 01: Raheem Mostert #31 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates with teammates after a touchdown New England Patriots during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 01: Raheem Mostert #31 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates with teammates after a touchdown New England Patriots during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 24: Head Coach Lovie Smith of the Houston Texans on the sidelines during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Texans defeated the Titans 19-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 24: Head Coach Lovie Smith of the Houston Texans on the sidelines during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Texans defeated the Titans 19-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Lovie Smith is another veteran defensive-minded coach that was recently made available due to the Houston Texans letting him go after his lone one-year tenure as their head coach.  Lovie brings with him a wealth of experience, similar to Fangio.  Lovie worked with Tony Dungy and collaborated to create the Tampa 2 defense.  Lovie knows defense.  Where his failures as a head coach have been is taking care of all aspects.  Allowing Lovie to just coach the defensive side of the ball could be an intriguing option and will allow him to shine.

Taking a closer look at his tenure as the Houston Texans defensive coordinator under his friend David Culley,  Lovie produced some great results.  Taking into consideration that Lovie was away from the NFL since 2015, his game planning and schema produced 25 takeaways, tied for 10th in NFL – which is something that was missing last year for Miami.

Another interesting stat, his cornerback and defensive secondary were creating interceptions at 3.1% rate, which was the 5th highest rate in the league.  Can you imagine the possibility of Lovie mentoring Xavien Howard, Trill Willians, and the rest of the Dolphins secondary? That could make these young players turn into elite ones.

The risk with Lovie, is that his current portfolio is based on the Houston Texans.  It’s not a knock, but the Texans are a disorganized franchise and their caliber of players isn’t at the same level.  Lovie might want something a little more.  As we discussed previously, this would be the best core assets that Lovie would have to work with since he was an assistant with Dungy in Tampa or when he led the Bears to the Super Bowl.

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