Dolphins’ McDaniel addresses Austin Jackson’s position, Ogbah, the decision at safety
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Friday that he considers Austin Jackson the team’s starting right tackle but didn’t rule out using him at another position if needed this season.
Brandon Shell has played well in four consecutive starts at right tackle. Jackson — who has been out with an ankle injury since the opener — practiced on a limited basis on Thursday but might be given another week or longer before he’s activated.
It’s possible the Dolphins could allow Jackson to compete with Robert Jones at left guard, but Jackson said he has been given no indication that he will used at a position other than right tackle.
“I see Austin as our starting right tackle,” McDaniel said. “[But] we will play him at whatever position best serves us at a given moment to win the game. The play of B-Shell lends us the opportunity to utilize him at other positions because his play has been so strong, but I still without a shadow of a doubt haven’t strayed away at all from my feeling of Austin being the starting right tackle. He’s showing improvement in detail and execution of certain things.”
As for when Jackson returns to game action, McDaniel was noncommittal but said: “We will not compromise his progress in the long haul to put him out there before before we feel as confident as we possibly can that he won’t regress.”
The Dolphins’ offensive line is playing the best it has in years.
Tua Tagovailoa has been sacked only eight times in seven games, and just twice in three games since returning from a concussion.
Conversely, Tagovailoa was sacked 40 times in his first 23 NFL games.
The line also has done a good job clearing holes for a running game that has improved in recent weeks.
McDaniel cited a “fixation” on Dolphins players prioritizing “fundamentals” of playing the position.
“We are continually getting better each game,” he said. “My offensive coordinator, Frank Smith, has deep O-line coaching roots and was a center himself. I think he spearheaded that charge and really led in a moment that, there was a young group that was a little uncertain of themselves.
“That along with [offensive line coach] Matt Applebaum and [assistant offensive line coach] Lemuel [Jeanpierre] and [offensive assistant] Mike Person, there’s no quick and easy way to have success in the National Football League.”
Pro Football Focus rates Terron Armstead 12th among 78 offensive tackles this season; PFF said he hasn’t allowed a sack.
Center Connor Williams has made a seamless transition to center after four seasons playing guard in Dallas. PFF ranks him fourth among 38 starting centers, and he has yielded no sacks in 372 pass blocking chances.
Guard Robert Hunt is rated eighth among 81 guards.
McDaniel addressed other issues during his Friday news conference:
▪ He said he and defensive coordinator Josh Boyer speak every week about defensive personnel decisions, “different packages” and “whatever players are doing.” McDaniel has said he views Boyer as the head coach of the defense, but their offices are close and McDaniel is engaged on defensive decisions.
▪ Even at 6-3, McDaniel said: “We haven’t yet had that game which you’re shooting for which you feel like each phase had played to its capability the entire game. I feel we’re close.”
▪ There has been a drop-off in production from Emmanuel Ogbah (one sack, no batted passes), but McDaniel said: “I’m not worried. He was playing his best ball [before a recent injury]. I’m seeing some of the best stuff I’ve seen, including the stuff from last year.”
Ogbah played just 25 of 74 defensive snaps against Chicago.
▪ The Dolphins have used three safeties (Eric Rowe, Elijah Campbell, Verone McKinley III) to replace injured Brandon Jones, and McDaniel likes what they have offered:
“They give us versatility for different sorts of packages. You can utilize specific skill sets for given matchups. Brandon is a great player that you don’t replace by one player. They’ve all understood that. One player I was most proud of [against Chicago] was Eric Rowe. He played his butt off. He was trying to get turnovers as well, aggressively going after the ball.
“Guys recognizing opportunities and trying to take their games to the next level. Each individual safety has different skills we can utilize. They’re all understanding it’s their job to make sure we continue to get better on defense even though Brandon is not there.”
Jones will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
McKinley remains on the practice squad and is out of elevations, meaning he must be signed to the 53-man roster to play again.
PRACTICE UPDATE
Tight end Hunter Long, who has been in concussion protocol, wasn’t spotted at Friday’s Dolphins practice.
Terron Armstead wasn’t spotted, but he hasn’t been practicing on Fridays because of toe.
Everyone except Long appears in good position to play, except potentially Jackson.
This story was originally published November 11, 2022 at 12:06 PM.
