Miami Dolphins special teams coordinator Chris Tabor discussed the unit’s preparation, personnel decisions and kicking process during a media availability Sept. 10, 2026, as the team prepared for Sunday’s game.
Tabor said Ryan Miller provides flexibility because he can contribute in multiple special teams roles. In addition to playing outside, Miller can handle core blocking assignments, which Tabor said is valuable within the receiver room. “He can play a lot of areas which makes it nice, especially when you’re talking about the receiver room,” Tabor said.
Miami Dolphins Continue Adjusting Coverage Teams
The Miami Dolphins use scout-team jerseys displaying multiple opponent numbers to improve special teams preparation. Tabor said the approach helps players recognize assignments and helps him better recall opponents’ skill sets. That preparation can allow for quicker adjustments if personnel or alignments change during the game.
Tabor said the coaching staff was still tweaking the coverage-team personnel during the week. The staff had a strong idea of the lineup after Wednesday and Thursday work, but continued communicating and making adjustments before Sunday. He said the goal is to allow the players to play fast and play free despite changes to the group.
Malik Washington remains a constant in the return game, with Jaylen Wright handling kickoff returns and Kevin Coleman handling punt returns. Tabor said the assignments reflect the different skills required to field kicks and punts. He added that many punt returners can catch kickoffs, while many kickoff returners cannot handle punts.
Field Position Remains a Special Teams Measure
Tabor described the Dolphins’ outside gunner development as a work in progress. He said the gunners must release downfield, reach the returner and work with the punter’s placement and hang time. The relationship between the coverage players and the punter remains an important part of the unit’s development.
Tabor said special teams success is not limited to long returns or other obvious highlights. He pointed to pinning an opponent near its own goal line, getting a defensive stop and giving the offense favorable field position as examples of significant contributions. “We got a big task coming up. These guys will be well coached and they’re good and fast and they’ve got some good veterans,” Tabor said.
The Dolphins are evaluating new contributors after Cam Goode and Ethan Bonner, among recent core special teams players, were no longer on the team. Tabor said Bonner remained in the building. He also said Dial, Taylor and Wood have special teams experience, with Wood having previously played in the league, but the staff still needed to see how the players performed in game conditions.
Chris Tabor Explains Miami Dolphins Kicking Process
Tabor said he and Riley Patterson discuss kicking range after pregame warmups. He watches how the ball travels, compares his assessment with Patterson’s comfort level and then works with the coaching staff to establish a plan. That discussion also factors into fourth-down decisions and analytics.
Indoor conditions can create a different challenge because kickers and punters may become too aggressive, Tabor said. He wants players to stay within their established process and routine instead of assuming an indoor environment automatically adds to their range. “I just need to play solid, have a solid round,” Tabor said.
The Dolphins also use technology, including Trackman, to evaluate kicking height, trajectory and football rotation. Tabor said analytics are important when used wisely, especially when the staff is investigating a potential technical issue. The information remains part of a broader evaluation of the kick or punt.
Source: Original report