Insight on six unsung Dolphins heroes, including four of highest rated at their positions
The main protagonists responsible for this 2-0 Dolphins start are obvious, with Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at the top of the list.
But several Dolphins have quietly made significant contributions.
A half dozen of those unsung heroes (and there are others beyond these six):
▪ Alec Ingold.
He’s far more than the stereotypical line-up-behind-the-quarterback fullback. He’s nimble enough to line up as a boundary receiver or in the slot, and he has the skills to divert defensive attention just enough to free others.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky spent several minutes this week narrating a video demonstration of Ingold’s value, including two excellent blocks on chunk plays in the Ravens game.
As Orlovsky noted, Ingold this season has lined up 23 times at fullback, 10 times at tight end, seven as a slot receiver and six as an outside receiver.
“He’s Kyle Juszczyk,” Orlovsky said of the 49ers fullback who was coached by Mike McDaniel in San Francisco. “He’s a big part of their offense.”
Pro Football Focus rates him the second-best fullback in the NFL through two weeks. His blocking has been outstanding.
Offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who coached Ingold for two seasons with the Raiders, said: “We are not surprised the play he’s producing right now. Knowing his commitment, work ethic, diligence. Such a smart football player. He was a high school quarterback, has a really good understanding of what we’re trying to do.”
As receivers coach Wes Welker said Thursday: “When you’re able to go 21 [two running backs, one tight end] and still move a guy out wide and be a viable receiver, it changes the way defenses think. He’s done a heck of a job for us.”
▪ Kader Kohou:
The rookie cornerback had three big defensive plays in 18 snaps of the opener and replaced Nik Needham with the starters at halftime against Baltimore and played well.
PFF rates him as the best cornerback in the NFL through two weeks, though he has played just 43 defensive snaps.
Cornerbacks coach Sam Madison said he likes that Kohou quickly applies his feedback and coaching tips.
“It’s fun to be able to watch the things he’s been able to do since he’s been here,” Madison said. “He’s a hard-nosed, tough young corner.”
Kohou, an undrafted rookie from Texas A&M Commerce, said he felt nervous in the first preseason game — on this much larger stage — but not since then. “My coaches believe in me,” he said.
▪ Zach Sieler.
The defensive lineman’s playing time has increased dramatically; he’s playing 78 percent of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps so far this season, up from 52 and 46 percent the past two seasons.
Is that a result of matchups the first two weeks or a decision that Sieler simply must be on the field more?
“It’s a little bit of both,” defensive coordinator Josh Boyer said. “We feel very comfortable when Zach is out on the field. Zach has been a productive player for us. He works very hard at his craft. He has shown constant improvement since the day he has been here…. Zach by example of the way he works and produces, guys have a lot of respect for him.”
Has his energy level been the same even playing more snaps?
“Absolutely,” he said, adding that conditioning “is something we harp on.”
PFF rates him the best run defender among all NFL interior linemen this season and No. 11 overall among defensive tackles.
▪ Greg Little.
The former Carolina Panthers second-round pick, acquired 13 months ago for a seventh-round pick, played very well at right tackle on Sunday, filling in for Austin Jackson, who will miss at least three more games with an ankle injury.
“Greg Little did really well; I’m proud of him,” offensive line coach Matt Applebaum said. “He’s got a lot of physical tools. 6-6, long arms, good feet, can bend. Those guys don’t grow on trees. That’s what everyone saw when he was coming out [of Mississippi]. He was locked in and ready to play. Since I’ve been here, Greg has done everything we’ve asked.”
▪ Connor Williams.
His move from left guard with the Dallas Cowboys to center with the Dolphins couldn’t have gone more smoothly.
PFF rates him the ninth-best center in football through two weeks, and No. 3 as a run blocker. He hasn’t yielded a sack after giving up just one all of last season with Dallas as a guard.
“We can’t speak highly enough about what Conner has been able to do,” Smith said. “Making the transition from guard to center is not as easy as he’s making it look. To go on the road and execute the way he’s done has been tremendous… He has really embraced [the position switch].”
▪ River Cracraft: The veteran wide receiver has been “elevated” from the practice squad each of the first two weeks of the season and has contributed in both games, including catching his first NFL touchdown during the Dolphins’ rally from a 21-point deficit last Sunday.
“That’s so cool for River,” said receivers coach Wes Welker, who coached Cracraft last season in San Francisco. “To have a touchdown in a critical moment, in such a big game… and to finally get that opportunity was such a cool thing, to see the work he puts in and how valuable it has been for this team.”
Cracraft already has played 26 offensive snaps after playing 112 for the 49ers in 2020 and none last season. The Dolphins, by league rule, can elevate him one more time this season before deciding whether to move him to the 53-man roster.
“He thinks about football all the time,” Welker said. “Always up here. After practice, even during the spring. It’s the work he puts in. He listens. He’s on time. Really happy for him.”
NEWS UPDATE
Xavien Howard, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a groin injury, returned to practice. Defensive back coach Sam Madison said he’s not concerned about Howard’s availability for Sunday.
Left tackle Terron Armstead (toe) and tight ends Hunter Long (ankle) and Cethan Carter (concussion protocol) remained sidelined on Thursday. But it would be a surprise if Armstead does not play against Buffalo.
Applebaum said he “felt pretty confident” all along that Armstead would play last Sunday with the toe injury.
Receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ribs) remains in a red non-contact jersey.
This story was originally published September 22, 2022 at 12:34 PM.
