Dolphins coordinators discuss what players’ growth impressed them. This is one surprise
In their final media availability for many months, the Miami Dolphins offensive and defensive coordinators Tuesday were asked a simple question: What individual players’ growth particularly pleased them? There was one surprising response.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham mentioned rookie defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, which wasn’t the least bit surprising because he improved appreciably in recent weeks.
But he also mentioned linebacker Raekwon McMillan and safety Montre Hartage.
“One of the players who stood out was Raekwon, his leadership,” Graham said. “He had those leadership qualities before I met him.”
Hartage — a backup safety — has played in only three games, but Graham mentioned how his tackling has improved and how he will be an important piece Sunday at New England.
As for Wilkins, “we’re starting to see fruits of labor of what he’s working on in practice,” Graham said. “What I say to him every day until he gets sick of it is your hands have to improve and his hands have improved. Once you’re able to do that, you’re able to control the blocker. That’s all I talk to him about. That leads to being a more successful player.”
Of Wilkins running on the field after all touchdowns this season, Graham said: “Listen, let people be who they are.”
Graham agreed with a reporter who mentioned linebacker Vince Biegel in that group of improved players. “His athletic ability, his work ethic, his improvement over the year have been good.”
Offensively, coordinator Chad O’Shea mentioned receiver DeVante Parker and tight end Mike Gesicki as the two players whose growth has especially pleased him.
“A lot of [Parker’s] production on the field is the result of what he has done behind the scenes,” O’Shea said. “He’s been outstanding in preparation, done everything possible to put himself in position to be productive on the field.
“Mike Gesicki comes to mind for the same reasons DeVante has. His coach, George Godsey, has done a really good job with him.”
And O’Shea said Ryan Fitzpatrick “has been big part of his development. Fitz is at center of a lot of this because he’s done a really good job of instilling confidence in these guys. Mike and DeVante wouldn’t be in the position they are if it wasn’t for the confidence our quarterback has in both of them.”
Both O’Shea and Graham were reflective about their first years as a coordinator.
O’Shea credited Fitzpatrick, noting that “for me to have somebody in his role, a veteran player with such strong traits is very valuable to me, very helpful. Players have been coachable here and tried to do what we’ve asked them to do despite good and bad. They’ve been a pleasure to work with.”
Graham said one tenet he followed all year is “I listen. You learn a lot more by listening than waiting to talk. I used to be one of those guys, [wanting] to talk. That’s one of the biggest changes in my life. I listen; that’s helped me grow.”
THIS AND THAT
▪ O’Shea said guard Michael Deiter has improved in his two games back in the starting lineup after being removed from the starting group for a game.
“There’s areas he’s done well in,” O’Shea said. “As is the case with all our offense, there has to be consistency if we’re going to have success.”
▪ O’Shea’s final word for the year on Josh Rosen: “Josh has worked really hard, has a lot of strengths as a player and person. It’s been great for him to be around a veteran quarterback in Fitz.”
▪ Graham was pleased with the recent newcomers on defense, noting cornerback Tae Hayes impressed against Cincinnati “with effort, ability to tackle, able to execute the game plan” and that defensive tackle Zach Sieler “plays with his hands in front of his eyes — I know it’s coach speak — and was able to use his length.”
▪ Fitzpatrick is second in the NFL in passing yardage over the past six weeks; his 1,845 passing yards during that time trail only Jameis Winston’s 2143.
▪ Wilkins on Sunday became the third NFL player in the past decade to catch a touchdown pass and record a sack in the same game. Tampa Bay’s Vita Vea did so earlier this season and Houston’s J.J. Watt has accomplished the feat twice.
O’Shea said he observed Wilkins catching the ball at times before practice this year and the staff had confidence in his ability to do it.
▪ The Dolphins have gone from 32nd in red zone offense the first four weeks to ninth over the last 11 games. They’ve gone from 30th in passing offense over the first four weeks to ninth since.
▪ As expected, Miami placed running back Myles Gaskin on injuredreserve to make room for new running back Samaje Perine, who wasclaimed off the Bengals’ practice squad.
This story was originally published December 24, 2019 at 11:22 AM.
