An update on Van Ginkel’s injury and free agency. And Dolphins news on Fangio, speed feat
While Dolphins linebackers Bradley Chubb (torn ACL) and Jaelan Phillips (torn Achilles tendon) are facing long recoveries from their injuries, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel apparently isn’t.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who added Van Ginkel as a client in recent months, indicated on his weekly WSVN-Fox 7 Sunday night segment that Van Ginkel’s foot injury — sustained in the regular season finale against Buffalo — will not sideline him into next season.
“He’s going to be ready to go for the offseason [program],” Rosenhaus said.
Van Ginkel hired Rosenhaus with the hopes of securing a deal better than the one-year, $2.65 million contract that he took from the Dolphins last spring after visiting the Patriots and Raiders.
He made a strong case for a good contract by producing 69 tackles (including eight for loss), six sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception returned 33 yards for a touchdown.
“Excited about the possibility of him coming back to the Dolphins, although he’s a free agent,” Rosenhaus told WSVN 7’s Josh Moser on Sunday. “So anything’s a possibility. Certainly he would like to come back and was a great fit in Vic Fangio’s scheme. We will just have to see as we get closer to March 13, which is the first day of free agency.”
Rosenhaus also represents impending Dolphins free agents Connor Williams, Braxton Berrios and Isaiah Wynn. Asked by Moser if he will meet with the Dolphins at once to try to resolve everything, he said: “Several meetings, multiple conversations, whatever it takes.”
FANGIO’S FUTURE
Fangio will return as Dolphins defensive coordinator, according to an X statement by Benjamin Allbright, a Broncos reporter for KOA Colorado who has reported extensively on Fangio in the past.
Fangio’s future was left somewhat in question when coach Mike McDaniel did not directly answer a question about Fangio in last week’s postseason news conference.
Asked last week if he expects Fangio to return, McDaniel said: “We’re still kind of grieving through the process collectively as a coaching staff. Quite honestly, the main thing that I’m trying to do is make sure that I maintain and communicate with the players as they go through their exit interviews. It’s between 50 to 70 guys that I meet with.
“Then we’ll get together as a coaching staff and kind of undress the season in a painful but productive way. I think that’s what all healthy staffs do really regardless of success or failure.”
The Dolphins historically don’t announce if an assistant coach is returning. If there are staff changes, they’ve usually been announced collectively, as opposed to in piecemeal fashion. The Dolphins have made no announcements about their 2024 staff.
Offensive coordinator Frank Smith has interviewed for the head coaching jobs in Carolina and Seattle. Dolphins linebackers coach Anthony Campanile interviewed for the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator job.
THIS AND THAT
In the final Next Gen stats analysis of the season, the Dolphins finished with six of the 10 fastest-timed plays in the league this season.
Tyreek Hill held spots three, eight and nine on the list. Those speeds, respectively, were 22.01 mph (for a 64-yard reception), 21.68 (for a 78-yard TD reception) and 21.66 for a 47-yard reception.
De’Von Achane held spot No. 4 (21.93 on a 67-yard TD run) and also spot No. 6 (21.76 on a 76-yard TD run).
And Raheem Mostert held spot No. 10 — 21.62 mph for a 43-yard TD run.
Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf had the fastest play of the year, reaching 22.23 on a 73-yard TD reception.
The others in the top 10 were Cincinnati’s Chase Brown, Dallas’ Kavontae Turpin and Tennessee’s Derrick Henry.
▪ One player who appears to have avoided becoming a cap casualty: Kicker Jason Sanders, whose $3.8 million salary isn’t guaranteed.
Hitting three field goals of 50-plus yards against Dallas — and his overall solid season — likely assures that Sanders will be the Dolphins’ kicker next season, barring something unforeseen.
If the Dolphins cut him, his $4.51 million cap hit would shrink to $731,000. But he appears safe.
Among kickers with at least 20 field-goal attempts, Sanders finished the season 17th in percentage at 85.7, hitting 24 for 28. He was 5 for 7 on kicks of 50 to 59 yards.
This story was originally published January 22, 2024 at 1:27 PM.
