Dolphins’ Jackson excited for new staff, sees himself as tackle. Roberts on staying in Miami
No Dolphins position group has been under the microscope — outside of quarterback — in recent years more than the team’s offensive line. And that includes Austin Jackson, a 2020 first-round pick who has yet to develop to expectations.
But with a new offensive-minded head coach, coordinator and position coach comes somewhat of a blank slate. Dolphins’ decision-makers have remained bullish on Jackson and their young core of linemen, and Jackson had a similar positive outlook Wednesday as the team enters its second week of offseason workouts.
“I’m excited for what we have in place,” Jackson said. “Even more excited for the work we’re about to start. That’s why we’re meeting and training together. Getting the details down.”
Jackson called the team’s new offense, particularly its zone running scheme, “very detailed” and one reliant on “concepts that we know and study and train.”
“It’s actually a lot of fun to do that,” he said, “because once you get in an actual game, there’s a lot of different situations to be ready for. So, I think we definitely have our great playbook and concepts that we’re installing right now.”
Jackson said the zone scheme is one that fits his abilities because it’s dependent on quickness from offensive linemen to get to spots on the field and hold blocks. The offense’s speed — which has been a constant theme of the Dolphins offseason, especially after the trade for wide receiver Tyreek Hill — is something Jackson believes will be accentuated not only with its skill position player but its offensive line.
“One thing that we put an emphasis on in this new offense is elite stamina,” he said.
While Jackson played three games at left tackle in 2021 before moving to left guard, he reiterated his belief that he is an NFL-caliber tackle. With Terron Armstead set to play left tackle and Connor Williams projected at left guard, Jackson will likely find himself competing with Liam Eichenberg at right tackle.
“I played [right tackle] in high school, played it in college,” Jackson said. “[I] actually, collegiately, started at it. So, it’s not completely new for me. But at the end of the day, I have to make sure I’m 100 percent right in my techniques and fundamentals. Because, what our offense does, if you get the technique down and use that same technique, it’s supposed to be the same at every position. It’s really allowing for people to be interchangeable. So, first things first, that’s what we’re locking in on in April.”
Roberts ready to lead defense again
The Dolphins’ offseason has been anything but normal — full of coaching changes, roster overhaul and off-field litigation — but don’t tell inside linebacker Elandon Roberts that.
After coronavirus protocols warped offseason workout programs the last two seasons, the six-year player is relishing a return to some “normalcy” as the team enters its second week of workouts.
“These last two years have been kind of weird,” Roberts said, his first comments since re-signing to the Dolphins on a one-year, $2.75 million deal. “I kind of forgot how offseason programs go. I’ve been doing my own thing.”
The Dolphins brought Roberts, 27, back as part of an effort to retain the team’s defense, along with coordinator Josh Boyer and much of the defensive coaching staff.
“I just felt like this is my defense,” Roberts said of re-signing, “a leader on the team and a leader on the defense. It was kind of a no-brainer for me, to be honest with you. I love being in Miami. My family loves it out here. I have a good relationship with everyone here. So, it was a no-brainer.
“It was a great thing because I know all the guys,” Roberts said of the team keeping the defense together. “You’ve got that team camaraderie with your defense and I’m glad we got all the guys back and it’s going to be fun. The NFL changes every year. So, to not have your defensive unit change that much is a good thing.”
In his return from an ACL tear that ended his 2020 season with one game remaining, Roberts recorded a career-high 83 combined tackles, along with an interception and a sack. He said he’s excited to focus on working on his on-field play as opposed to strengthening his knee to return in time for the start of the season.
“Last offseason, all I did was worry about rehab,” he said. “Rehab, get my knee right, rehab, get my knee right. Now this year, I can really get back to looking at me as a whole, looking at I can really have a true offseason and whatnot and really put my best foot forward for my team. And that’s leading the team, doing my job and making sure each week we’re ready to go.”
Roberts, who had a close relationship with Brian Flores dating to their time with the New England Patriots, declined to comment on his former coach’s dismissal. He did express confidence in Boyer’s ability to sustain the standard of a unit that finished as one of the league’s best last season.
“You can build on [last year],” he said. “You can start putting yourself in situations that might have couldn’t put in last year’s OTAs. You have to start from the foundation, which every year you still have to start with your foundation because guys have been off. So, it’s a quicker process. As a communicator, as a guy who guys know on the team and I know them and know the best situation to put each other in, it’ll really complement us in the long run that we were able to stay together.”
This story was originally published April 13, 2022 at 2:48 PM.
