Up Close: New Phins LB Martrell Spaight

Martrell Spaight could offer much-needed help at MLB

Martrell Spaight is best when controlling the run between the tackles

I’m not a fan of Raekwon McMillan’s play so far this season. He’s slow and stiff, so his diagnosis and reactions must be exceptional for him to be effective. McMillan has shown improvement, but he’s still playing less than his 2nd Round pedigree demands.

After three games, McMillan has 8 tackles and a fumble recovery with only 3 solo tackles. This isn’t close to being commensurate with the production you’d expect from a premium pick.

The context of the tape matched with these stats: McMillan is perpetually crazy clued to blocks and is a liability in coverage when given more than minimal duties.

Expect Pats Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels to find a way to expose McMillan just as the Raiders did last week.

Spaight will help a lackluster Linebacker group

Chase Allen’s injury and the brass’ lack of trust in Stephone Anthony spurred the Dolphins to sign Martrell Spaight.

Some have reported Spaight as an Outside Linebacker. This isn’t the case. Spaight played Inside Linebacker in the Redskins 3-4 scheme. He had lofty expectations in 2017 after becoming a Special Team’s captain in 2016.

In 2017 he posted 75 Tackles with 45 of them solo and added 2 pass defenses in 6 starts. Ultimately, holes in his game and the demands of an inside Linebacker didn’t match the Redskins expectations. Spaight was released before the 2018 Season opened.

In a limited role, Spaight could help the Dolphins this season

Spaight has limitations, but he also has strengths. And as far as his limitations, McMillan has many of the same limitations… at the price of a 2nd Round pick.

The one key difference between McMillan and Spaight is the ability to get off blocks. Spaight can, McMillan can’t.

Count how many times a game McMillan gets off a block… so far when the clock reaches 00:00 you’d be lucky to raise one finger a game.

Here’s the film on Spaight’s last game of 2017 against the Giants:

Due to limited speed and tackling ability, #50 Spaight is a hit or miss outside of the tackles.

But, inside the tackles, Spaight’s ability to attack, stack, and shed is an asset. Occasionally, he gets overwhelmed by blockers. But, for the most part, he’d be an upgrade over McMillan in the role of run–down specialist.

From the one game I studied, this was his tape on blitzing and pass coverage. From such a small sample it’s hard to gauge his ability… outside of what is being reported.

Now with all this being said, you can bet with the best betting software for bookies that McMillan will start.

For better or worse, Adam Gase and Matt Burke are committed to McMillan.

But through 3 Preseason Games and 3 Regular Season Games, McMillan has contributed little. Far too often McMillan has been a liability, especially in pass coverage. I’m not saying McMillan is a bust, but it appears increasingly likely he has limitations in the modern game. McMillan will improve with reps. But at some point, he will cost this team a game if he doesn’t make dramatic improvements. The addition of Spaight offers Miami a chance to get impact plays from the MLB position on run downs. So far, the production at MLB has been poor. This needs to change with McMillan improving, being replaced, or by being given fewer snaps. Hopefully, McMillan can make a major step forward and Spaight can be a backup… hopefully. Go Phins!!!