{"id":190790,"date":"2024-09-21T14:30:27","date_gmt":"2024-09-21T18:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=190790"},"modified":"2024-09-21T14:06:42","modified_gmt":"2024-09-21T18:06:42","slug":"miami-dolphins-defense-ready-to-elevate-amidst-tuas-absence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/09\/21\/miami-dolphins-defense-ready-to-elevate-amidst-tuas-absence\/","title":{"rendered":"Dolphins Defense Ready to Elevate Amidst Tua\u2019s Absence"},"content":{"rendered":"

When one function of the machine is damaged, another must perform at peak perfection. In the Miami Dolphins case, the defense toward the rest of the season must be close to perfect to protect an offense that will miss first-string quarterback Tua Tagovailoa<\/a>. The premiere game manager for the Dolphins is placed on injured reserve and could return around week 8 if he is to recover from his concussion.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two prior games against the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> and the Buffalo Bills<\/a> have shown a few weaknesses in Miami\u2019s defense. Some of these defensive frailties included age, miscommunication and injuries. However, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver looks to correct these faults with a new importance to step up toward a fight against the Seattle Seahawks<\/a> on Sunday. He started with acknowledgment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[tgdcta items=”1″ id=”170466″]<\/p>\n

Miami\u2019s Defense Could Be the Saving Grace for Dolphins\u2019 Time Without Tua<\/h2>\n

Weaver Understands the Memo<\/h3>\n

Miami\u2019s defense throughout the past two games has only allowed 514 total yards. These stats have been deceiving. Despite allowing 139 passing yards per game, opponents have found success with gaps in the Dolphins\u2019 secondary with large chunk plays off of open receivers. Both quarterbacks that Miami has faced averaged seven yards per completion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Miscommunication between Weaver and his defense can be credited for early miscues. In one example, Bills running back James Cook ran for 49 yards untouched to the end zone in Miami\u2019s 31-10 loss<\/a> to Buffalo Sept. 12 because of poor execution that resulted from poor communication, Weaver said. The coordinator didn\u2019t point any fingers at anyone for the miscue but acknowledged that the more that the defense talks, the more likely it\u2019ll be fixed for next week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Weaver believes the defense needs to be at a high standard every week, regardless of the quarterback situation. The first-year defensive coordinator said he doesn\u2019t want to add any more pressure to his unit. It\u2019s already at an all-time high to his standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI always think we have to step up on our side, regardless of what\u2019s going on on offense,” Weaver said<\/a>. “In this game, I love [Miami\u2019s] offense. I love what we do, I love how aggressive we are, I love the way we attack down the field — I love the pieces that we have. But, we\u2019re trying to be the best defense in the National Football League. Plain and simple\u2026. We have to handle our business.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dolphins\u2019 Defensive Veteran Leadership to Help Tackle Injuries<\/h3>\n

Dolphins linebackers Jordyn Brooks and David Long Jr. have played every snap on defense, when healthy, so far this season. Even though both linebackers are younger than 30, they have tolerated serious injuries throughout their careers. Brooks tore his ACL in 2022 and Long dealt with an undisclosed injury in the preseason.<\/span><\/p>\n

With injuries mantling up<\/a> day-by-day, veteran leadership is important, Brooks said. The former Seahawk emphasized that it\u2019s important to move on and attack each day like a professional and set an example. No matter the injuries, the goal is still the same for the defense, he said<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we always have to play better — whether the quarterback is playing or not,\u201d Brooks said.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s everybody’s individual goal, to be the best that you can be so that we can be better together. It\u2019s unfortunate what happened with our quarterback, but had that not happened, the goal would still be the same — as far as us getting better and getting to the place we know we can be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Veteran leadership that teams can build on to reach a great purpose is important to Miami defensive end Zach Sieler<\/a>, he said. This mindset is what will benefit the Dolphins through these tough times. The seven-year veteran sees the conflict as an opportunity for his team to grow early in the year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c[Mike] McDaniel preaches it\u2019s a players team, it\u2019s a players locker room,\u201d Sieler said. \u201cWhen you have the veteran leadership there that some guys have been through situations like this and some have been through worse you lean on that leadership, and that experience to either guide young guys, or steer the team in the right direction where you can make the corrections and not take it on the chin and not be soft.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Potential Anchor and Rise From the Pass Rush<\/h3>\n

Miami\u2019s pass rush has been one of the many things boasted about on defense. The Miami Dolphins defense have sacked enemy quarterbacks three times and recorded 10 tackles for loss so far this season. Even without Pro Bowl linebacker Bradley Chubb, the group still can be seen as an anchor for Miami to rely on.<\/span><\/p>\n

The biggest threat to the Dolphins\u2019 aggressive pass rush has been its health. Still, in the trend of injury risk and age, players such as defensive tackle Calais Campbell and linebacker Jaelan Phillips have been limited. Miami\u2019s recent <\/span>injury report<\/span><\/a> for week 3, revealed that Campbell didn\u2019t participate in three straight practices this week due to rest. Phillips was limited on Wednesday but participated in Thursday and Friday practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

A more youthful solution could be possible with the Miami Dolphins proven pass rushers on defense limited due to health concerns. Miami rookie linebacker Chop Robinson from Penn State throughout Miami\u2019s first two games played for only 40 defensive snaps. The 21-year-old pass rusher racked up two tackles within this period. Weaver said that Robinson could earn more snaps later this season based on scheme and growth. In overall, it appears that may come sooner than later based on the rookie\u2019s work ethic and coachability, Weaver said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s had some good rushes, and sometimes you haven\u2019t had the coverage to match what he\u2019s doing,\u201d Weaver said. “To me, for [Chop] in particular, the numbers will come as he earns more reps and as he continues to earn trust from his teammates. We can find more reasons to put him out there. Again, I believe those numbers will come\u2026 it\u2019s inevitable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Road Ahead for Weaver Continues in the Northwest Against a Friend<\/h3>\n

The Dolphins will continue its season without Tagovailoa with a cross-conference contest against Seattle. This will also mark the first time Weaver will face former Baltimore Ravens<\/a> defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald. Both coaches worked in Baltimore for two years. Weaver at the time coached the Ravens\u2019 defensive line and run game, and held a position as an assistant coach.<\/span><\/p>\n

Weaver said that MacDonald shares a defensive scheme similar to his own, but believes the play-calling will be different. With both coaches’ approach to the game defensively mirroring one another, it will be a challenge for Weaver to orchestrate Miami\u2019s defense against the Seahawks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A strength that the Dolphins defensive coordinator touched on heading into Sunday was how the receiving core compliments Seattle quarterback Geno Smith. With a potential air raid threat, the Dolphins\u2019 secondary will need to be prepared. Miami\u2019s hopes for a win Sunday will depend on it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Universal Responsible Gambling Disclaimer: Ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When one function of the machine is damaged, another must perform at peak perfection. In the Miami Dolphins case, the defense toward the rest of the season must be close to perfect to protect an offense that will miss first-string quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The premiere game manager for the Dolphins is placed on injured reserve […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5191,"featured_media":179689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[32232,7777,8908,4443],"class_list":["post-190790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dolphins","tag-anthony-weaver","tag-miami-dolphins-news","tag-mike-mcdaniel","tag-tua-tagovailoa"],"modified_by":"Mike Kashuba","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5191"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=190790"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190790\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=190790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=190790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=190790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}