What early game leads mean to young Dolphins
DAVIE — Andrew Van Ginkel’s looks will deceive you.
His shoulder-length hair might make you think he likes heavy metal bands and rock music, but the Miami Dolphins linebacker prefers his music with a little less edge.
“I listen to it, but it’s not my favorite,” Van Ginkel said, brushing off the stereotype. “I kind of listen to everything from country to rap, to a little bit of rock and roll.
“I’d say country is at the roots. Classic country is kind of my thing.”
But it is not only Van Ginkel’s musical taste that will surprise people.
His long (6-foot-4) and lean (242 pounds) appearance would make many people think he would struggle as a traditional edge-setter, but the former Wisconsin linebacker the Dolphins selected with the 151st pick in the 2019 NFL draft has managed to hold his own against opposing offensive linemen this season.
Although he’s not asked to set the edge often, when teams have run at him this season, he’s been a pleasant surprise, especially in the recent games.
Van Ginkel credits three
factors for his improvement.
First, he got stronger and bigger in the weight room, despite being away from the team facility, training on how own because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Second, Washington Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff was one of his training partners this offseason after moving into his hometown of Rock Valley, Iowa. Their interaction allowed Van Ginkel to pick the brain of an upper-echelon offensive lineman.
“Understanding what he does on a regular basis has helped me, I would say,” Van Ginkel said.
And second, his new position coach Austin Clark, who instructed Miami’s pass rushers and outside linebackers in Miami’s hybrid 3-4 scheme, has helped him refine his technique, encouraging Van Ginkel to focus on his hand placement.
“He has done a great job teaching me to do a better job of setting the edge. The key he’s taught me is getting my inside hand on their shoulder. It’s easier to disengage,” Van Ginkel added. “Getting inside hands and being able to grab them has made a huge difference.”
Van Ginkel’s fondness for Clark is apparently mutual.
“This guy prepares extremely well,” Clark said of Van Ginkel, who contributed 65 tackles and 12 sacks, forced four fumbles and pulled down two interceptions in his two seasons with the Badgers.
“He’s up until the day before the game watching tape.
“He’s versatile, can play a lot of different roles. He uses his hands extremely well…. His preparation and effort not just to get to the ball,
but to try to make every play [is impressive]. I’m excited to see him keep going.”
With Kyle Van Noy likely limited or sidelined by the groin strain he’s been nursing since Miami’s 43-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers, Davon Godchaux lost to a biceps tear and starting defensive end Shaq Lawson pushing to play with a shoulder injury, there’s little doubt that Van Ginkel’s role and snap count will grow this Sunday against the Jets.
The question is how much, and what exactly can he handle?
Last year, Van Ginkel missed the first two months of his rookie season with a foot injury, but put together a few solid performances in his six games, contributing 11 tackles, one sacks and one forced recovery.
Last week alone Van Ginkel nearly matched those numbers, contributing a career-high six tackles (four solo), one sack and forced a fumble, taking 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo down on a crack back hit that produced a strip sack in the second quarter.
But more important than the turnover he created was the fact Van Ginkel was firm on the edge, either making a stop or funneling the play inside him, which is a major element of the position he plays in Miami’s hybrid 3-4 defense.
With Vince Biegel on injured reserve, and Van Noy and Lawson hurting, the Dolphins will need Van Ginkel to show his edge-setting improvement is here to stay.