With the 2022 NFL season fast approaching, the South Florida Sun Sentinel takes a look at 10 storylines to watch for in a 10-part series ahead of the Miami Dolphins’ first day of training camp, which is set for July 27.
Our upbringing has a tremendous influence on who we become.
Certain philosophies and fundamental believes get etched into who we are, what we believe in, and what we do because of those early teachings.
Mike McDaniel`s NFL start was as a ball boy and then coaching intern for Mike Shanahan`s run-heavy West Coast offenses in Denver, during an era where the Broncos featured one of the most physical, and more importantly, effective rushing attacks in the league.
The emphasis Shanahan and his disciplines have typically put on the running game is a key ingredient of who McDaniel is as a coach, and the hope moving forward is that he delivers on his push to implement a wide-zone rushing attack because that`s exactly what the Dolphins need to balance out the offense, and alleviate the pressure placed on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in his third season.
McDaniel served as San Francisco`s run-game coordinator from 2018-2020, and during that time the 49ers were fifth in the NFL in rushing, averaging 127.0 yards per game, despite having a different leading rusher in all three seasons.
When he was promoted to the offensive coordinator role last season, the 49ers qualified for the NFC Championship while ranking 7th in the NFL in total offensive yards per game (375.7) and 13th in offense (25 yards per game). , 1 point per match). Given that the 49ers averaged 127.4 rushing yards per game for him and he ranked seventh in the league, San Francisco's balance drove most of that success. The last time the
Dolphins averaged more than his 127 yards per game was in his 2009 season, when the duo of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown averaged his 139.4 yards per game, led by a freshman named Chad Hen. It was his 7-9 team. If
McDaniel and his run-game focus and wide-zone philosophy can replicate that kind of performance this season, establishing an aggressive identity balanced with physicality is the recipe, so keep the roster healthy. If he can keep it up, the Dolphins should be a force in his AFC. To be successful in today's NFL.
That`s why Miami signed Terron Armstead as a free agent, hoping the three-time Pro Bowler can replicate the impact he had for the New Orleans Saints offensive line, mimicking the type of play All Pro left tackle Trent Williams delivered for the 49ers.
The Dolphins also signed Connor Williams, a 51-game starter for the Dallas Cowboys, and he could move from guard to center with the hope his movement skills and the power he`s displayed the past four seasons can consistently open running lanes.
During the offseason program McDaniel said the Dolphins roster possessed the most athletic group of offensive linemen he`s ever coached during his career. Let`s hope that comment is more of a testimonial than a pep talk or wishful thinking because their success will be key for Miami`s offense.
“We are trying to make everybody defend the whole field. Players just take what the coach says, put it in, try to catch it, and run off the ball.” 3.5 yards per carry, 92.2 yards rushing per game.
"We're going to let them guard the field. We're a long way from here, so I let them guess, but that's great. That's what I did in college." It's a crime of sorts, and I have a lot of respect for it. I love it. "
The purpose of running wide-zone variations is to use the horizontal momentum of defensive linemen against them by creating leverage and forcing cornerbacks and safeties who may not be accustomed to tackling to become active participants in the run game.
The horizontal movement of the defense, which is caused by the offensive line sprinting left or right in unison, often creates openings in the middle of the field, especially when defenses are forced to play single-high (one safety deep) or cover-zero (no deep safety, heavy blitz) coverages.
That`s where talented backs with good vision, sharp cut-back runners with good body balance and the ability to shed would-be tacklers come in. It explains why the Dolphins added three tailbacks — Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert and Sony Michel — with starter`s experience this offseason.
It`s too early to say which of Miami`s backs will handle the bulk of the carries, or tailback workload, but it is clear that the Dolphins backfield hasn`t been this deep since the 2016 season when Jay Ajayi led Miami`s last playoff team in rushing, accounting for 1,272 of the team`s 1,824 rushing yards.
``You really need to make a name for yourself when it comes to things like wide zone leads. I did.
"In this offense, it's important to understand what his blocking scheme is and what his defensive front is, how the linebacker overplays runs, and how to balance that." Engagement maintain.
McDaniel doesn't matter for this Dolphins coach because he grew up in the NFL and showed what he was passionate about.
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Will Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer be able to prove he doesn’t need Brian Flores’ help?
In what ways can Mike McDaniel’s coaching style, offensive mind benefit Dolphins?