Dolphins O-line takes step back, to face tough Titans front. And notes at every position
Former 12-year NFL veteran Damien Woody, now an ESPN analyst, summed up his thoughts on the Dolphins’ pass protection on Monday with a simple tweet:
“Miami’s [offensive line] makes me want to puke.”
That line took a step back Monday against New Orleans, allowing 14 pressures in 33 drop backs, and now faces a stingy Titans defense Sunday in Nashville.
The Titans permit just 3.9 yards per rush, fourth-best in the NFL. Miami averages a league-worst 3.4 yards per carry.
Tennessee has 37 sacks, which is 10th most in the league.
The Titans’ 15 interceptions are also 10th most, and Tua Tagovailoa has thrown three in the past two games.
Tennessee is 13th in yards allowed per game at 333.2 and 15th in points permitted at 21.7.
Except for right guard Robert Hunt — who was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded Dolphins player on offense Monday — no other Dolphins lineman had a great game.
The Saints had three sacks, and Miami averaged just 2.9 yards per carry.
Left guard Austin Jackson continues to seem flummoxed on stunts and allowed three pressures and had a role in two sacks, though PFF didn’t charge him for any. Right tackle Jesse Davis allowed a sack and four pressures.
Left tackle Liam Eichenberg permitted two pressures and committed a penalty.
Center Michael Deiter committed a penalty.
The Dolphins — playing with three backup offensive linemen on the COVID-19 list — gave one snap to backup Adam Pankey and didn’t use Roderick Johnson and Cameron Tom, who were elevated from the practice squad.
The Titans assuredly will test Miami’s young line.
“Tennessee has a very good front, linebackers; they’ve got a very good team,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said. “[Jeffery Simmons] is one of top players. It will be big challenge. New Orleans had a good front as well; they gave us some issues and some problems. You have to play better; there are corrections to make.”
THIS AND THAT
Flores said the Dolphins are doing medical tests on receiver Tommylee Lewis, who left Monday’s game with a hip injury....
Flores said Titans receiver A.J. Brown “is one of the top receivers in football. Ryan Tannehill is doing a good job of leading that offense. Good arm, mobile, very good player. He can run, he can throw. He’s had a lot of success with them.”
Flores declined to discuss why the Dolphins moved on from Tannehill in 2019. In March of that year, the Dolphins traded Tannehill and a sixth-round selection in 2019 to the Titans for a 2020 fourth-round selection and a 2019 seventh-round pick.
This will be Tannehill’s first game against Miami.
Asked what he wants in a franchise quarterback, Flores said: “toughness, competitiveness, intelligence, leadership, accuracy. That’s what everyone is looking for.”
SNAP DECISIONS
Some notes on how playing time was allocated at several positions, and how players graded out, per Pro Football Focus:
▪ Running back: The Dolphins split their 65 offensive snaps fairly evenly among Duke Johnson (23), Myles Gaskin (20) and Phillip Lindsay (19). Johnson and Lindsay each had 13 rushing attempts, Gaskin three.
“People are getting banged up and you definitely need [multiple backs],” Lindsay said. “That helps out a lot. We complement each other well and are getting dirty yards right now.”
▪ Wide receiver: Jaylen Waddle played 58 of the 65 offensive snaps, with DeVante Parker logging 46, Isaiah Ford 20, Mack Hollins 11 and Lewis 3.
Preston Williams was active but did not play.
Monday marked the first time that Parker wasn’t thrown a pass in a game (excluding one nullified by a penalty) since November 2015 and the first time he didn’t have a reception in a game since a loss to Kansas City last December.
▪ Tight end: Durham Smythe started for the 10th time this season and played 51 snaps. Mike Gesicki also started for the eighth time this season and logged 49 snaps. Adam Shaheen played 19 and rookie Hunter Long 4.
▪ Defensive line: Christian Wilkins played 43 snaps on defense and one on offense and was rated by PFF as the Dolphins’ best player on defense Monday.
Zach Sieler played more than usual (38 of Miami’s 52 defensive snaps).
Emmanuel Ogbah played 39 snaps, Raekwon Davis 31 and Adam Butler 21.
▪ Linebacker: Jerome Baker logged 50 of Miami’s 52 defensive snaps, with Andrew Van Ginkel playing 45; they were rated Miami’s third and fourth best players on defense, behind Wilkins and cornerback Nik Needham.
Among other linebackers, Elandon Roberts played 34 snaps, Jaelan Phillips 26 and
Vince Biegel, Sam Eguavoen and Calvin Munson played two defensive snaps apiece.
▪ Safety: Jevon Holland played 50 defensive snaps, Brandon Jones 38, Eric Rowe 26 and Sheldrick Redwine 2.
▪ Cornerback: Xavien Howard and Byron Jones played 50 defensive snaps, Needham 21 and Noah Igbinoghene 2.
Howard allowed all three targets against him to be caught for 29 yards after not permitting a completion in three targets over the previous two games.
This story was originally published December 28, 2021 at 2:22 PM.
