D-coordinator Burke has no patience for ‘rookie mistakes’
DAVIE — Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Matt Burke could essentially be starting three rookies this year — slot cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick, outside linebacker Jerome Baker and middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan, a first-year starter who missed his entire 2017 rookie season with a knee injury.
But Burke said he won’t cut them any slack for being young or provide leeway for making “rookie mistakes.”
Those days, Burke said, are gone for the most part.
“Everyone thinks you have a lot of time left,” he said, “but this clock starts ticking real quick in terms of the season and getting guys that have to play.
“The ‘rookie mistakes’ are all cute, but at some point you have to be ready to perform for us on Sundays. That window, if it isn’t closed yet, it’s closing pretty rapidly.”
Burke, whose defense made changes to the starting lineup Sunday that included boundary cornerback Bobby McCain (moved from slot), Fitzpatrick and Baker, also said he still hasn’t decided on a final starting 11.
“I don’t think we’re close to anything right now to be honest with you,” Burke said. “Again, we’ll keep rolling groups and keep rolling positions. It’s really up to them.
“Until someone grabs hold of it and says, ‘This is my spot and I’m not letting it go and I’m showing you day in and day out consistently that I’m performing at the level you guys want us to perform at,’ then I’ll say, ‘OK, that’s your job. Let’s go.’ ”