‘There’s certainly improvement everyday’: Channing Tindall progressing through new Dolphins defense in second year

After a rookie season that involved some growing pains, second-year player Channing Tindall on Friday showed signs of comfortability in the Dolphins’ new defense.

During team drills, he recorded a tackle for no gain on third-and-2 in red zone drills and also a pass breakup – a positive sign as he battles for a depth spot behind projected starters Jerome Baker and David Long Jr.

Tindall was selected as the 102nd overall pick in the third-round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Though he was the team’s top pick in a small four-man class, in April, assistant general manager Marvin Allen said that the Dolphins’ goal after drafting Tindall was not to start him immediately.

The Dolphins anticipated for him to “sit back and learn,” Allen said, with his value increasing over time.

In his rookie season, Tindall appeared in 16 games, taking part in nine defensive snaps and 167 special teams snaps with three tackles. He later went on to label his first season as a “learning experience” as he adapted to his new surroundings.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said before practice Friday that Tindall has been taking things step-by-step.

“Channing’s working everyday to get better and get a better understanding of the defense,” Fangio said. “Once he gets a better understanding, I think his talent will flourish.”

In February, Tindall admitted that a problem for him was that, rather than letting things play out naturally, he “tends to move a little too fast” during games or practice.

Six months later, he said that he has had the opportunity to adjust his speed to the new defense.

“Yeah, I’ve been able to slow the game down just a little bit and anticipate things,” Tindall told the Miami Herald after Friday’s practice. “When you just know the players more and just get adjusted to what the NFL is like, it just kind of slows down in your head.”

As a five-star high school prospect, the Columbia, South Carolina native was ranked No. 23 in the nation, No. 3 in inside linebackers and No. 1 in the state, according to 247sports, before committing to Georgia in 2017.

He became part of a historical 2021 defense at Georgia – eight of them, including Tindall, was drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, with five going in the first round – and led the team to capturing its first national championship victory in 41 years against Alabama. Tindall concluded his senior season playing in all 15 games and coming in third on the team with 67 tackles and 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

Tindall’s growth as a player was likely boosted by playing in a championship environment at Georgia, but the NFL is a much different world, and most young players often take a while to find their bearing.

Linebackers coach Anthony Campanile said that there is a learning curve in the first year on a new defense for everybody but that Tindall is progressing through it.

“I just think you see a little incremental progress every day,” Campanile said. “And the more situations you present, in practice, obviously guys are going to learn and he’s doing a good job of learning, even when he’s not learning from the other guys watching their reps, and he’s doing extra, asking a lot of questions. So there’s certainly improvement every day.”

Tindall has made great development, according to linebacker Duke Riley, who also noted that NFL players often experience a slowdown in the game during their second year.

“He’s learning,” Riley said. “He’s understanding the game a little more. He’s picking up on things better. He’s coming to work every day. He’s trying to get better. He’s asking questions. He’s improving, definitely improving. He’s coming in and doing what he’s supposed to. He’s understanding what the league is. We have high expectations from every single person in the building. If you’re going to be on [the game day roster] and you’re ready to go, we need everyone to be at the same level.”

Riley, according to Tindall, has “definitely been a leader” and has assisted him in a variety of ways, but mainly with learning how to navigate the playbook.

“He tells me to write out the play one by one, the entire playbook,” Tindall said. “That’s just been helping me understand how to function and [also] little things like rehab and tedious things that just kind of happen.”

In terms of reaching new heights this year, Tindall has both professional and personal goals that he’s looking forward to accomplishing.

“Personally, I just want to train myself to become a better person,” Tindall said. “I have little things about myself, personally, that I try to get better at. Whether that’s focusing or just talking to my siblings more or doing things for my mother more. But being a football player, I’m just taking it day by day, honestly. The things I’m doing now are helping me. Just being in the playbook and spending time with my teammates and learning things step by step.”

This story was originally published August 4, 2023 at 5:29 PM.