This is our best look at the 2022 Phins so far
The expectations, hope, and hype for the 2022 Miami Dolphins is the highest it’s been since Bill Parcells took over near a decade and a half ago. Phins fans will get their best look at this Dolphins team against the Las Vegas Raiders to see for themselves if all the optimism in warranted. While nothing we see will guarantee anything, it will give some indication of how some aspects of the team are trending… and it will be fun to see the action after a long offseason.
Cornerbacks & Offensive Line are the big keys
Offensive line play didn’t look good in the 1st preseason game against the Bucs. While Terron Armstead and Connor Williams were out, Liam Eichenberg, Robert Hunt, and Austin Jackson played, so 3/5 of the expected starters were in. Jackson looked slightly improved, but still a long way from where the 18th Overall picks should be. On far too many snaps, Hunt had to help out Jackson and Dieter was forced to swing to the right to help with protection. Jackson still seems susceptible to power move and poor footwork.
And Eichenberg, who was left to block alone with Dieter swinging to the right to help Jackson, struggled most of the night, especially in the run game. He did show moments of good technique in pass blocking, but he too struggles with bull rush and power, most notably in run blocking.
I did a film study on Jackson you can check out here and Eichenberg here to see why these are my evaluations, if you disagree.
The good news is things can change fast and it’s a few weeks away from Week 1 of the Regular Season. Putting out some good tape today would be a great sign that past trends are beginning to break.
Byron Jones may or may not be available Week 1
With Trill Williams done for the season and Byron Jones still recovering from his knee surgery, cornerback is looking thin, especially for the critical Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots. Head Coach Mike McDaniel is still unsure if Jones will be ready and he has yet to practice. There is still time for Jones to get ready for the season opener, but it’s getting very late.
Noah Igbinoghene, D’Angelo Ross, Elijah Hamilton, Mackensie Alexander, Kader Kohou, and Keion Crossen are the only option as back ups for the boundary corner. Nik Needham could play outside to fill in for Jones, but he is a much better nickel defender. Moving Needham to the edge would cover one hole slightly and leave another wide open.
All the best pay per head sites say Noah and Ross have been terrible this camp, Kohou and Hamilton are undrafted rookies, and just signed Mackensie Alexander is a journeyman. This leaves Keion Crossen as the lone hope for corner depth. If he can play well tonight, it will be a great sign of hope going into the season.
Miami has a ton of upside, but they need two capable corners to run their zero coverage and an O-line that can run block to make the engine hum of their pass rushers and wide receivers. While nothing we see tonight is definitive on what we will see this season, having some corners step up and the offensive line looking capable would sure make me feel good! Go Phins!!!