With speed at an advantage, the Miami Dolphins are one of the best offensive teams in the NFL. One reason for this was because of their wide receiver’s speed in motion prior to snaps on offense. For example, Pro Bowl receiver Tyreek Hill would run across the line of scrimmage, stop, and then run full speed off the snap to get ahead of defenders.
A few teams in the league, such as the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, followed this offensive philosophy of speed motion, or rather termed “cheat motion”. Hill, who ended the season with 1,799 receiving yards, was nearly unstoppable for Miami when he jetted out across the line. The NFL is trying to stop it.
NFL’s Bid to End “Cheat Motion”
The NFL is adding a rule to the league this season to get rid of more illegal motion, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The rule itself reads — stated in Rule 4, Article 7 — that “if any eligible backfield player goes in motion (one at a time) after the last shift and comes to a complete stop, there is no requirement for a full second pause before a second player can legally go in motion.”
Wide receivers like Hill and San Francisco’s Deebo Samuel will now be at a disadvantage. If a team is caught using the illegal motion, they will be penalized for five yards. Even though illegal motions like this were already being penalized, Miami usually timed the snap perfectly with its speedy receivers. The new rule now would stop the forward illegal motion of the player in the speed motion.
Hill Keeps His Faith in McDaniels
Hill first heard of this new rule Thursday after practice. The former Super Bowl champion isn’t too worried about it all, he said. Hill puts his faith in Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniels offensive mind. The first-string wide receiver claims that there is always something new.
“Our head coach, he’ll find a way to make a way around that,” Hill said. “He does a great job of creating schemes for us to get open. That’s why he’s one of the best offensive minded coaches in the game because he does a great job creating these motions. He allows us to tweak it a little bit, but he’ll put his own little spin on it. So, I feel like that we won’t have a problem with that.”
The speedster said that the wording of it all is “crazy”, but will be ready for whatever the offense cooks up for him. 2024 will mark his third season with the Dolphins, and ninth in the league. Still, the veteran is one of the top receivers in the game.
“I feel like we do got some plays that’s gonna wow teams because teams are already looking for certain motions whenever I line up a certain way, or whenever (Jaylen) Waddle lines up a certain way,” Hill said. “So we do got a few packages, or a few motions that are going to be like ‘oh, where did that come from’…it’s gonna be fun this year man.”
How Will This Impact the Dolphins’ Offense as a Whole
Miami’s identity on offense can easily be described as ‘speed’. The lead wide receivers in the position group — Hill and Waddle — both had north of 1,000 receiving yards. A majority of that came off of yards after the catch. YAC has been a staple for McDaniels in the league. It’s what made him an offensive household name when with the 49ers. The new rules will limit the Dolphins when they create space in the outfield. Instead of a head start running in motion, receivers will be placed at the line. Miami will have to face its opponents more at the line of scrimmage.
Luckily for them, the Dolphins have some of the best athletes for slants, run-pass options, and deep crossing routes. Some of these players include recent free agent additions such as wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Willie Snead IV. Beckham, who won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2020, is currently on the physically unable to play list, but should be activated for the regular season.
The running back room as well may get more attention in game planning this season. Halfbacks Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., and De’Von Achane each were utilized in Miami’s passing scheme last season. The trio combined for 457 receiving yards in 2023. McDaniels could continue the running backs’ impact by making them more inclusive toward an explosive passing offense. The Dolphins, who are still in the early stages of training camp, will have plenty of time to analyze this new rule. Their first time they could practice it against an outside opponent would be Aug. 6 when Miami faces the Atlanta Falcons in a joint practice.
Main Image: Sam Navarro – USA Today Sports
