The Miami Dolphins are facing significant challenges in their pass rush as they head into the new season. After an impressive performance last year where they ranked third in the NFL with 56 sacks, the team is dealing with the loss of key players who contributed to this success. Christian Wilkins and Andrew Van Ginkel have departed via free agency, and Bradley Chubb is sidelined on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list as the season commences.
In light of these setbacks, the Dolphins’ defensive strategy is likely to heavily rely on Jaelan Phillips. Phillips, who is coming off an Achilles injury less than a year ago, needs to ramp up quickly to fill the void.
“I just want to be disruptive and be productive,” Phillips expressed confidently. “I know that I’m a 10-plus sack guy.
I can disrupt the quarterback, stop the run, do anything I need to do for this team.”
Despite his optimism, the Dolphins are in a predicament with their edge rush options. The team welcomed two new faces through the draft—Chop Robinson in the first round and Mohamed Kamara in the fifth. Furthermore, the Dolphins re-signed Emmanuel Ogbah after initially releasing him earlier in the year, and they have Quinton Bell, a veteran who has mostly played on practice squads and special teams.
The question facing the Dolphins now is whether they can afford to ease Phillips back into the game, which may necessitate relying more heavily on the less experienced Bell or the rookies opposite Ogbah.
Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier addressed Phillips’ situation, indicating the team’s cautious approach. “We’ll be very smart with Jaelan, just because he’s even back earlier than some thought,” Grier said. “You’ve got to put a governor on him because he wants to go 100 miles an hour, and it’s like, ‘Dude, you just came back from a serious injury faster because you’re a freak healer, but let’s be smart about this.’”
The team’s new defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver, mentioned that there isn’t a fixed snap count for Phillips, preferring instead to “listen to his body.” This approach highlights the delicate balance the Dolphins must manage between utilizing Phillips’ talents and safeguarding his long-term health.
Phillips himself acknowledges the long road ahead. “I’ve felt great.
It’s been amazing,” he noted. “Obviously, I’m going to be pushing to play as much as I can, but at the end of the day, I have to be smart.
It’s a long season, so we’ll see how it goes.”
As the season unfolds, the Dolphins’ ability to manage these challenges will be crucial in determining their defensive prowess and overall success.