Miami thought special teams would be special, with Sanders, Waddle, Holland. They haven’t
What in the world has happened to the Dolphins’ special teams, a unit that was among the league’s best a year ago and now ranks below average — in some cases well below — in several statistical measures?
A combination of factors are in play here: a regression by kicker Jason Sanders (who was elite last season); the inability of Jaylen Waddle and Jevon Holland to match their college success as returners in limited NFL opportunities; and unspectacular work by the new punter, Michael Palardy.
Sanders is just 13 for 18 in field goals after making 36 of 39 last season.
Among the 30 NFL kickers who have attempted at least 10 field goals, Sanders is 27th in accuracy at 72.2 percent, ahead of only Jason Myers, Matt Ammendola and Mason Crosby.
Sanders is 5 for 5 from 20 to 29 yards, but 3 for 5 from both 30 to 39 yards and 40 to 49 yards, and 2 for 3 from 50 yards or more.
“We have complete confidence in Jason Sanders,” special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said Tuesday. “There’s a small line between being successful and not being successful. It’s small things. Two balls have gone off the upright. We’ll keep working and Jason will be fine. There’s nothing wrong with the operation… Having a new holder has nothing to do with it.”
Last season, Sanders was 10th in field goal accuracy at 92.3 percent.
Sanders signed a five-year, $22 million extension this past offseason, with $10 million guaranteed. His entire $2.7 million salary in 2022 is guaranteed, making it unlikely that Miami moves on from him unless his struggles worsen.
None of his $3.4 million salary in 2023 is guaranteed.
On the positive side, Sanders has converted 66 consecutive extra points since 2019, the NFL’s longest ongoing streak.
The Dolphins traded Jakeem Grant to the Bears for a 2023 sixth-round pick on Oct. 5 because of confidence in Waddle and Holland, who were exceptional returners in college.
But Waddle — who averaged 23.8 yards on kickoff returns at Alabama — is averaging 18.0 yards on seven kickoff returns in the NFL, which ranks 27th among NFL players with at least five kickoff returns. Grant, for the Dolphins and Bears this season, is averaging 24.5 yards on kickoffs.
Waddle, who averaged an absurdly high 19.3 yards on 38 punt returns at Alabama, has returned only two punts for Miami, for 6 yards. Waddle said he spends “a lot of time throughout the week” working on the return game.
“Knowing the return, knowing how I’m going to hit it on the blocks, how I’m going to set it up,” he said. “A good amount of time goes into it.”
Crossman said “Waddle is going to be absolutely fine. He’s going to be a special player in everything we ask him to do. When there’s limited opportunities, it’s hard to get that rhythm.”
Holland, who averaged 14.4 yards on 17 punt returns at Oregon, has averaged 7.0 yards on nine punt returns for Miami, which ranks 19th among NFL players with at least five punt returns.
No wonder the Dolphins rank just 25th in punt return average and 32nd in kickoff return average.
On the plus side, Miami’s coverage teams have been solid. The Dolphins are ninth best in kickoff return average permitted and 16th best in punt return average yielded.
But new punter Palardy ranks just 22nd in punt return average — just ahead of No. 21 Matt Haack, who signed with Buffalo after moving on from the Dolphins. Palardy also is 22nd in net average.
INJURY REPORT
Tight end Adam Shaheen (knee) was ruled out for Sunday’s game against Carolina.
Also out Sunday: safety/special teams standout Elijah Campbell (toe/knee) and cornerback Trill Williams (hamstring).
Starting safety Brandon Jones (ankle/elbow) is questionable for Sunday. He was limited all three days of practice this week.
Safety Jevon Holland, linebacker Elandon Roberts and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins — who were limited in Wednesday and Thursday practices — participated fully Friday and will play Sunday.
▪ With Shaheen out, tight end Hunter Long, the rookie third-round pick, will play against Carolina on Sunday, behind Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe.
Long, who has logged just 29 offensive snaps this season, said not playing a lot hasn’t been too frustrating.
“Obviously, we have a lot of good tight ends and I love those guys,” he said. “I’m fortunate to come into this room. I’ve been able to ask them all sorts of questions. I probably ask them too many questions. They’ve been fantastic.
“I knew coming into this year I would get some opportunities and try to make the most of them. I tried to keep it even [emotionally] the whole year. I redshirted my freshman year [at Boston College], didn’t play a lot my sophomore year, so I’ve been through this before.”
Long said the area where he has made the most improvement since training camp is “understanding defenses. I’ve spent a lot of time watching defenses [on film], to process a little faster. Definitely a speed change from the college to pro level. At the NFL level, windows are tighter, everyone is bigger and stronger. Just getting accustomed to that.“
He said he also has studied NFL tight ends, including Travis Kelce, Darren Waller and Mark Andrews in an attempt to “incorporate. I’ve tried to dive into football and watch as much football as I can.”
Here’s my Friday Dolphins piece with lots of information from Brian Flores’ Friday news conference.
This story was originally published November 26, 2021 at 3:56 PM.
