GERALD’S GAME
New defensive backs coach is in search of guys to swarm the ball
Miami Dolphins assistant Gerald Alexander is a young coach, trying his to make his mark in his first opportunity to work at the NFL level.
So, to make a quick, lasting impression on new boss, coach Brian Flores, and the players he’s coaching, he introduced a contest that could have a positive effect on the Dolphins secondary this season and beyond.
The objective for the Dolphins defensive backs is simple: Just get to the football. Get you hands on the football. Secure the football. And certainly, don’t drop it.
It should be called ballhawk, because that is what Alexander is trying to develop out of every player on the back Dolphins defense.
“It’s all about getting to the ball,” Dolphins cornerback Nik Needham said. “It’s all mainly focused on getting to the ball, stripping out the ball, trying to force as many turnovers as we can and that’ll help us win a lot of games.”
The Dolphins, 5-11 after Flores’ first season with the team, hope to manifest any edge they can create on the field to their advantage.
When Xavien Howard was tied for the league-lead with seven interceptions and 21 of the Dolphins’ 28 turnovers were interceptions in 2018, they had a plus-5 turnover margin and a 7-9 record.
But last season, the Dolphins’ had 13 interceptions, 16 turnovers forced, and were plagued by a minus-10 margin that impacted their record.
“We spend a lot of time on trying to get the ball, and I would end of the say historically if you look through the league, the turnover margin is probably closest-related to wins and losses as anything else there is,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer said.
So, there are two games Dolphins secondary players playing to improve their play this season.
First, it’s cornerbacks vs. the are before
safe
ties, with both sides simply trying to get as many interceptions as possible for their position group.
Then, there’s the Hood vs. the Burbs where Hood captain Bobby McCain, the sixth-year Dolphins safety, and Burbs captain Byron Jones, who the Dolphins made the highest paid cornerback in the NFL, drafted players in the secondary to their respective teams.
The points system: Five points for interceptions. Scoops or fumble recoveries are three points. Pass breakups are one point. And dropping an interception is a fivepoint deduction.
And if there are any special, explosive efforts that warrant some points, those instances will be rewarded, too.
Oh, and plays in the red zone are worth double.
“We’re holding everybody Needham said.
“If the ball touches your need to make a play on it.”
The potential prizes for the best team: Well, that’s a secret.
It certainly seems more than the pushups as a result of the work.
If both teams don’t have interceptions, both teams do 25 pushups. If one team wins, the loser does 25 pushups. If both teams tie with one or more interceptions, then the coaches have to drop for 25 pushups.
Alexander says these games are just a camp deal, but Needham indicated there is a yearlong contest also in the works.
“We’ll keep the rewards in house,” said. “There’s a lot in stake.”
In the second week of camp, Alexander says the cornerbacks have taken the lead through the last four practices or so, while accountable,” hands, you players or
postpractice day’s
Alexander
McCain, who recently had a red-zone interception of Ryan Fitzpatrick, is the overall leader in interceptions.
Dolphins rookie Noah Igbinoghene should have a high score after several pass breakups throughout the first week of camp, and Needham jumped on the board while seizing an opportunity after Igbinoghene suffered an injury earlier this week.
Jones, who agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Dolphins this offseason, may be an unexpected name toward the bottom of the scoreboard with a pass breakup and no interceptions going up against receivers DeVante Parker and Preston Williams in camp.
“It’s a very good way to inspire all of us just to get better and to push ourselves in practice,” said Igbinoghene, who at No. 30 was the last of the Dolphins’ three firstround picks in April.
For Alexander, it’s more than game within Dolphins practice.
Alexander joined the Dolphins coaching staff this offseason after participating in a brief, one-week internship with the team during training camp last season.
Alexander did not do enough as a Dolphins safety himself to last longer than the brief, two-game stint he had with the team during the 2011 season. And he hopes his practice game can help his players make a bigger impact than he did as a player.
More important, Alexander hopes the contest can influence how his players approach the game, setting a standard that could lead to a cultural difference in the secondary and the defense.
“That’s what it’s really trying to create. That’s really the foundation and that’s the method to the madness,” Alexander said of his practice method.
“But at the end of the day, what we do out here is a grind, and there’s fun in it. It gives us a fresh, new feel when we get out there in practice and compete on a day to day.” just
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