New Dolphins offensive line coach explains mission: ‘A lot of things need to get better’
The man charged with helping fix the Dolphins’ offensive line was reminded Wednesday that the unit has been a concern for years.
“Yeah, I’ve been told,” Matt Applebaum said.
The Dolphins’ new offensive coach line hasn’t yet closely studied the players he’s inheriting, a group including third-year linemen Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt and second-year tackle Liam Eichenberg.
But he already knows this:
“A lot of things need to get better. I haven’t studied the guys where I can say ‘if he improves on this one thing, then...’ I’m not at that level right now with the guys. Everything needs to get better. We need to find a way to put the five best guys out there to execute our scheme and have success running the football, protecting the quarterback and winning football games.
What needs to happen is clear; executing it is not easy.”
In a bit of a surprise, Applebaum and new coach Mike McDaniel retained Lemuel Jeanpierre, the coach who guided last year’s unit, which allowed the NFL’s 11th-most sacks (40) and most quarterback pressures (235), while run blocking for a group that finished 31st in the league in average yards per carry at 3.5.
Jeanpierre will now serve as assistant offensive line coach, the position he held in 2019 before Brian Flores promoted him last season to replace Steve Marshall.
Why was Jeanpierre retained?
“It starts with he’s a phenomenal guy,” Applebaum said. “This is a people business, and we’ve got to work with people on our staff very closely all day long. To be around quality people is a very underrated element. It starts with that. Next thing I would say is the guy is a good football coach.
“I talked football with him and I’ve been impressed by him. So those are some things. Familiarity with the personnel, that certainly doesn’t hurt. But he’s a great guy and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Applebaum coached Boston College’s offensive line the past two years, and the Eagles ranked 11th of 130 FBS teams in run blocking, per Pro Football Focus’ grades last season. The Dolphins rated 30th in that category among 32 teams, according to PFF.
Also, Boston College permitted the third-fewest sacks in the Atlantic Coast Conference last season.
Applebaum, who previously coached at Washington (2008-10) and Jacksonville (2014), met new Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel at the 2010 NFL Combine, and they stayed in touch.
“I wouldn’t say we’re texting every day but there has been a relationship there,” Applebaum said.
“I would say when he got the job there was optimism,” Applebaum added. “But until I got called by him, I certainly didn’t think [that Applebaum definitely would be hired by the Dolphins]. I was very pleased to get the phone call. His number was programmed in. So from the time it came in, I was like, ‘let’s go.’”
He had hoped to return to the professional ranks because “I’ve always enjoyed working in the NFL. It’s great. It’s at the top of the profession. These are the best players. I’m fortunate to be on a staff with a bunch of great guys and great football coaches. It’s an excellent opportunity.”
The Dolphins will implement a zone blocking scheme, and Applebaum said “there’s a certain level of athleticism needed to play in the run scheme we’re talking about. Like a twitchiness, suddenness, ability to bend, change directions. You obviously need a certain level of size, too. There’s a premium on a certain level of athlete. There’s a mental processing that I think is important regardless of scheme. And a physical toughness.
“This is a scheme where you have to try to get after your opponent consistently throughout the play. It’s not the kind of thing where you can wall a guy off and the play is over for you. That ball can go a lot of places and it happens later on in the play so you’ve really got to strain.”
Per PFF’s Ryan Smith, when the Dolphins used an outside zone running scheme last season, they averaged 3.0 yards per carry, compared to 4.8 for San Francisco, where McDaniel oversaw the 49ers’ run game.
Hunt figures to be one of the Dolphins’ starting linemen in 2022, but everything else is in flux. The line is expected to be upgraded in free agency and possibly the draft, as well.
This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 1:24 PM.
