No complaints about Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
DAVIE — Dolphins coach Adam Gase was short and direct when giving his early assessment of rookie safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. No complaints.
That has been the evaluation of Fitzpatrick after two days of training camp. A firstround draft pick out of Alabama, he has performed well as advertised.
“He’s done a good job,” Gase said. “He’s always working to make sure he’s not the weak link.”
Fitzpatrick has spent the past few months learning from veterans Reshad Jones and
T. J. McDonald. After being a vocal leader in college, Fitzpatrick has accepted the advice from the older players, saying he’s always willing to learn from others.
“It’s nothing new,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s almost the same thing like in college. It’s just a little bit different, not that much different. We come in and work and we don’t say much … That’s kind of how I approach it. I go in there between the lockers and listen to everybody talk, observe, see what they’re doing. I just follow and lead where I can lead.”
With athleticism not a question, Fitzpatrick is using the next few weeks to get a better feel for the NFL game. Long film sessions have sped the process.
“Just understanding the game,” Fitzpatrick said. “I had an understanding of the college football game. In the pros, it’s a little bit different. I’ve been breaking down different games from last year, watching film. I’m an athlete, nothing is going to change there.”
Aside from physical attributes, the coaches have been most impressed with Fitzpatrick’s football IQ. He’s needed little teaching in that area.
“In the limited interaction I’d had with him, he’s shown ability to be a big-picture thinker,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke said recently. “He understands football. He’s a student of the game in that sense. … We’re just kind of starting him out.”
The question now is how the Dolphins plan to utilize Fitzpatrick. He can play any position in the secondary, but is most comfortable at safety. That hasn’t stopped the coaching staff from experimenting during camp.
“They got me moving around a little bit,” Fitzpatrick said. “The more I understand the concepts the more I can move around. They’re just trying to make sure I can better understand the game.”
Because of his versatility, the Dolphins have already entertained the idea of playing three safeties. They view it as a way to maximize the talent on the field, while also providing different looks for opposing offenses.
“There may be times where T.J. and Reshad are a better grouping for us or Minka and Reshad are a better grouping for us or something else,” Burke said. “I think our challenge as a coaching staff is to just get the best feel for how to utilize those guys, what each of their strengths are.
Fitzpatrick said he’s prepared for however he is used. He feels he has progressed since arriving and can fill any role.
“I think I’m doing what I’m supposed to do,” Fitzpatrick said. “Like I said, I’m not trying to be too vocal . I’m just trying to observe and learn from everybody else … They keep me pushing.”