Hill, Waddle flummoxing defenders with a mix of moves. And Dolphins injury, roster update
The Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle highlight tape from 2022 will be filled with contested catches --- Hill leaping above defenders to haul in Tua Tagovailoa heaves 40 yards downfield, and Waddle extending his fingers inches over the outstretched arms of a defender to snag a perfectly thrown pass.
But that highlight tape also will include plenty of catches where nobody is within a couple of yards of either receiver.
So how do you explain Hill and Waddle often getting so glaringly open in the middle of the field this season?
Part of that is a byproduct of defensive backs giving them a cushion, at times, because of their fear of being beaten deep.
Part of it is their route-running.
But the main reason?
“First and foremost, the main reason is them,” receivers coach Wes Welker said, as the Dolphins looked ahead to Sunday’s game against visiting Houston (1 p.m., CBS). “They’re the ones out there doing it, taking coaching points. But those guys are just different. It makes our job a lot easier. Where there can be a little bit of error with them, a lot of guys have to be more perfect, especially in the NFL. The line of error for them is a little more than others.”
Hill entered the Dolphins’ bye week tied for eighth in the league in average yards of separation, at 3.6.
Waddle is tied for 29th in that category at 3.2.
So this is more than an issue of separation.
It’s also “putting them in spots to be able to utilize their skillsets,” offensive coordinator Frank Smith said. “The one thing you see about our offense is that we’re constantly in motion. We’re constantly moving pieces to try and allow our guys to get in positions to attack the defense.
“So I think it’s a combination of the process when it starts on Tuesday, when we start coming up with the game plan. How do we get our guys in the best position to attack the defense and what they’re trying to do coverage wise. You start the ingredients being baked on Tuesday, and when it all comes together, you have a great dish on Sunday.”
Hill ranks first in receiving yards with 1148 and Waddle ranks fifth with 878, with Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson, Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs, Las Vegas’ Davante Adams between them.
Hill is first in receptions with 81, Waddle 14th with 51.
Among players with at least 30 catches, Waddle is first in yards per catch at 17.2. Hill is 11th at 14.2.
“I feel like a guy like Jaylen Waddle doesn’t get enough credit for what he truly does, kind of similar like me early on in my career,” Hill said.
This, too, is notable: Waddle made it a priority to improve his yards after catch this season, and he has.
Waddle entered the bye week 11th in the league with 312 yards after catch; he’s on pace for 530, topping his 439 last season. Hill is sixth in YAC with 350.
When did coach Mike McDaniel know that Hill was different than most receivers?
“The first time I called him out in a team meeting, I think,” McDaniel said recently.
“I shouldn’t really say call out because it’s not. It’s more that in team meetings, I think it’s very important to state the facts, and the facts are what’s on tape. So anything that’s on tape, we should be able to discuss openly. There was something that he didn’t do, I can’t remember what it was, but I vividly remember his response that day was corrected. So I kind of made note of that.”
Welker said Hill’s contributions have extended beyond the gaudy receiving numbers.
“If you watch his blocking, you don’t see guys leading the league in receiving and blocking the way that he’s blocking, the whole room really,” Welker said. “We take a lot of pride in that, and he’s at the forefront of that. It makes my job a lot easier when your best player in the room is buying in and doing those type of things. It leads to team success.”
INJURY REPORT
Running back Raheem Mostert missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury; he was seen walking in the locker-room without any limp.
Punter Thomas Morstead (knee) and linebacker Melvin Ingram (veteran’s rest) also did not practice.
Six players were limited: Terron Armstead (knee), Jerome Baker (hip), Teddy Bridgewater (knee), Tanner Conner (knee/back), Keion Crossen (shoulder) and Raekwon Davis (knee) were limited.
▪ New Dolphins defensive tackle Justin Zimmer, who filled Miami’s open roster spot on Wednesday, drew praise from Tyreek Hill after the 2021 Chiefs-Ravens AFC Championship.
Zimmer, who played for Buffalo at the time, nearly caught Hill on a 71-yard scoring play.
“No. 61 was actually about to clean my clock,” Hill said. “I probably wouldn’t have played football no more.”
“For him to just do that, 61, I don’t know his name, I wish I knew his name, but for him to do that? To run all the way down the field? He’s great.”
Defensive end Jerry Hughes has called Zimmer the Bills’ “silent assassin.”
Zimmer, 30, has played in 21 games over four seasons.
This story was originally published November 23, 2022 at 5:43 PM.
