Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said Caleb Douglas will be out Sunday while Ryan Miller is scheduled to practice Sept. 25 and should be available for the game. Hafley also said Jaylen Wright is doubtful, with Ollie Gordon prepared to fill Wright’s role if needed. The updates came during Hafley’s Sept. 25 media availability.
“Caleb Douglas will be out on Sunday,” Hafley said. Miller has been dealing with lingering foot and back soreness, but Hafley said the issue did not result from one specific hit and that the team gave him time to rest. “Ryan will practice today,” Hafley said. “We feel good about him playing on Sunday.”
Chris Bell is also expected to play despite fluid and soreness in his knee. Hafley said the Dolphins are listening to their medical personnel and feel good about Bell’s availability. Beal will be out Sunday, while JuJu is scheduled to practice Sept. 25.
Miami Dolphins expect changes at receiver
Hafley said the changes at receiver will affect how Miami uses its personnel and could lead to adjustments in the game plan. He said the overall approach should remain similar, but different players will have different responsibilities. “There’ll be some tweaks in there with different guys having different roles and some guys now having a chance to step up and play,” Hafley said.
The Dolphins also could have a different look in the backfield if Wright is unavailable. Hafley said he feels confident in Gordon’s preparation to handle Wright’s role. “Prepared. I feel confident,” Hafley said.
Chop Robinson practiced hard during the week and will have an opportunity to play. Hafley said Robinson has had only one week away from game action and emphasized the work he has done in practice. The coach also discussed the value of players learning from time on the sideline.
Miami Dolphins create extra work for young defenders
Hafley said the Dolphins spent the week addressing communication issues among their young defensive players. He said the problems can be frustrating but are not unusual for a group that is still learning to play together. Practice, walkthroughs and meetings are helping the players improve their communication.
The team also held a developmental 7-on-7 session for players who needed additional repetitions. Hafley said the session gave quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive backs a chance to run the scheme, communicate and play together after regular practice. Inactive players will have another practice Sunday morning that includes individual work, special teams and group periods.
“We need to develop, we need time, we need extra work, we have to think outside the box on how to get that work done,” Hafley said. Hafley said the additional work will help players prepare for different positions and improve communication when coverage checks or defensive-line twists and stunts require coordinated reactions.
Hafley emphasizes defensive evolution
Hafley said the Dolphins need to allow their defense to develop while maintaining core principles. Those principles include fundamentals, technique, effort, tackling and attacking the football. “You have to evolve,” Hafley said.
Hafley said Miami considers opposing coordinators, players, tendencies and matchup issues when preparing a game plan. He said the Dolphins evaluate what a coordinator prefers in different situations, which players require attention and how Miami can protect its own personnel. The approach also includes determining how to contain an opposing quarterback or running back.
Hafley said pressure does not have to come from one position group. The Dolphins will seek pass-rush production from their best options, whether those players line up inside or on the edge, or whether pressure packages are necessary.
Playing-time decisions remain player-specific
Hafley said decisions about whether to keep or remove a quarterback or another player depend on the individual and the need for experience or additional work. He cited Jordyn Brooks, who was removed from the previous game to protect him while giving another player an opportunity to gain experience. Hafley said that approach could change depending on the circumstances.
Hafley also explained how he manages communication during games. Sean helps identify details from an elevated angle while Hafley works from the sideline, and Hafley uses an iPad to follow the offense and communicate during the game. He said the coaching staff will continue working together to improve that process.
FSB Take
The Dolphins enter Sunday managing several personnel questions while continuing to develop their defense. Douglas and Beal are out, Wright is doubtful, Miller is scheduled to practice, Bell is expected to play and JuJu is scheduled to practice. Gordon’s preparedness gives Miami a potential option if Wright cannot play.
Hafley’s emphasis on additional repetitions is the clearest theme from the availability. Miami is using developmental work during the week and a Sunday morning practice for inactive players to prepare its personnel for changing roles. That extra work will be especially important as the Dolphins address communication among their young defenders.
Source: Original report