Brian Flores gives his most detailed explanation yet of what’s gone wrong on defense
News and notes from Brian Flores’ final news conference ahead of Dolphins-Jaguars:
▪ There have been endless questions about what has gone wrong with the Dolphins’ defense — which ranks last in yards per play and yards per pass — the first two weeks.
So what’s the only thing that has Flores bothered than anything else?
“There are opportunities for us to make plays and we haven’t made them. Interceptions, missed edges. There’s never just one thing. I think we’ve had some opportunities that we need to take advantage of. We try to stress every play because you never know which one’s going to shift the momentum. .... When the opportunities present themselves, you have to take advantage. That’s the message to the team and that’s always been my message.”
▪ The Dolphins’ nickel cornerback play has been uneven through two weeks; Jamal Perry and Nik Needham both have a 118.8 passer rating in their coverage area.
Would Brian Flores — who moved Bobby McCain from nickel corner to safety shortly after he got the job — ever consider moving McCain back there if the Dolphins cannot find a reliable player to cover the slot receiver?
“A lot of conversations like that are had,” Flores said. “Bobby is a part of those conversations.”
Another option would be moving rookie safety Brandon Jones to slot corner, a position he played some at Texas.
But Texas coach Tom Herman told The Miami Herald in May that he believes Jones’ long-term future is at safety.
“Brandon played a few different positions in college,” Flores said. “We look at every option from a personnel standpoint. What’s the best group of guys we can put out there?”
▪ Rookie fifth-round defensive end Jason Strowbridge has been inactive the first two weeks but Flores said “I don’t think there’s anything he’s doing that’s not performing up to par. Strowbridge is a young developing player.”
For now, the Dolphins are going with veteran players at his position.
▪ Flores said rookie second-round defensive tackle Raekwon Davis “played better in week 2 than Week 1 but we need to see continue improvement — pass rush, run defense. He played better and that’s what we’re looking for for all your young guys and everyone on the team.”
▪ Two Dolphins sacks in two weeks despite hundreds of millions pledged to new defenders. Why?
“I’d say it’s us not making the plays, us not executing,” Flores said. “Our opposition is making plays and executing. We’ve got to play better. That’s what it boils down to. We need more pressure on the quarterback. We need to find ways to get more pressure. That’s what we’ve been talking about the last few days. We’re always trying to get better. Whether it’s the run game, pass game.”
▪ Linebacker Elandon Roberts remains in the concussion protocol.
“We’ve got to be smart about that and make sure he’s ready to go before we bring him back,” Flores said.
With Roberts out against the Bills, Kyle Van Noy played all but three defensive snaps.
▪ A bunch of the league’s premier players — including Saquon Barkley and Nick Bosa — were lost for the season to injury last week, prompting some to speculate that the lack of a true offseason (COVID-19) has put players more at risk.
Flores’ thoughts?
“As someone who works with these guys on a daily basis, ... I hate to see it. ... These guys they work extremely hard and to have it taken away from them, I feel for them all.
“I imagine all of these guys worked extremely hard in the offseason,” Flores continued. “.... It’s easy to say it’s because they weren’t on a normal regimen, it’s why it’s happened. But this is football.”
▪ On Jacksonville’s do-everything offensive weapon Laviska Shenault:
“He’s done a really good job. Playing multiple positions — receiver, running back. He’s big, fast, explosive. They have a lot of good players. ... You can’t lock in on one guy.
▪ How long does it take for a new offense to establish an identity?
“As soon as possible. That’s what we’re hoping for. .... It does take time to get to know guys around you. We saw improvement Week 1 to Week 2 and hopefully we’re better five weeks from now than we are now.”
This story was originally published September 22, 2020 at 9:16 AM.
