‘YOU’RE NOT GOING TO SLOW HIM DOWN’
Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack, arguably the best defender in the NFL, may be the last person the Dolphins want to see following a twogame skid that soured their 3-0 start to this season.
DAVIE — Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack may arguably be the best defender in the NFL.
And, there might not be much of an argument that Mack may be the last person the Miami Dolphins want to see following a two-game skid that soured their once promising start to the season.
The Dolphins (3-2) will hope to slow Mack — a dynamic pass rusher and the highest paid defender in NFL history — when they host the Bears (4-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Hard Rock Stadium.
“You draw up a defensive end, and he’s pretty much the epitome of what you want to have,” Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill said of Mack.
Dolphins coach Adam Gase, on the other hand, was much
more succinct.
“You’re not going to slow him down,” Gase said.
Mack agreed to a six-year, $141 million extension with Chicago after Jon Gruden traded him away from Oakland last month.
Mack will earn an average of $23.5 million per season, with $60 million of his $90 million in guaranteed money given in a signing bonus, according to ESPN.
Mack did not wait long to make an impact in his first season with Chicago.
In the Bears’ opener against Green Bay, Mack became the
first player in two seasons to have a sack, interception, forced fumble, fumble recovery, and defensive touchdown all in the same game.
Coincidently, he was also the last player to achieve that same feat in Week 12 of 2016, the same season he won NFL defensive player of the year.
As a result of a player like Mack who makes others around him better, Chicago’s defense is first in the NFL against the run, second in passing defense, and second in points allowed this season.
“You face players like this a few times a year. There are a few elite pass rushers in this league, and [Mack is] one of them,” said Tannehill, whose two turnovers in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati last Sunday led to a 27-17 loss for the Dolphins.
“You have to be aware of where he is. If you don’t do a good job of having a plan of attack, then he can wreck a game. He’s a guy we definitely want to have in mind at all time.”
Mack typically lines up on the left side of the defense, with right tackles usually serving as the first line of obstacles in his path.
Opposing teams may try to have another offensive lineman or tight end slow Mack from reaching the quarterback, but the savvy five-year veteran has a knack for wreaking havoc.
Mack is tied with Houston defensive end J.J. Watt with four forced fumbles this season. Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso and 22 others are bunched in a group with just two.
Mack is also one of six players with five sacks this season, trailing just four players with more in the category.
Bengals defensive end Geno Atkins, one of three players leading the league with six sacks, had two against the Dolphins last Sunday.
“[Mack] gets double teamed a lot, and when you do that to good players, they’re going to figure out a way to work around it, whether it be someone setting a pick for him and he ends up on a guard on a stunt, or where they align him,” Gase said.
“They’re going to find ways to get him one on ones, and he’s going to adjust. He’s a smart player. He’s been around for a minute. And he’s seen it all. There are not a bunch of new things you can throw at him.
“When he starts moving around, you just have to have a good plan.”
The Dolphins may have a plan. How well it works may be an issue.
Miami has replaced two starting offensive linemen due to injury, and starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday despite progressing through the NFL’s concussion protocol.
If Tunsil is unable to start, reserve Sam Young could step in like he did for Tunsil late against the Bengals.
Zach Sterup, who has been inactive in all but one game this season, could also be an option.
“All his moves are very polished,” Young said of Mack. “He’s not only fast, but strong. You’ve seen the various games he’s had. He’s done very well against offensive linemen.”
While the Dolphins offense may dread facing Mack, rookie linebacker Jerome Baker is excited to see Mack work in person.
“I’m a fan of guys that play the game well, and play the game the right way. When I get a chance, I’m definitely going to see it,” Baker said.
“I hope [Mack] doesn’t have too much success against us — if any.”