Flores puts early-season issues on coaching staff
The company we keep tells others a lot about who we are, and the same can be said about sports teams.
The Miami Dolphins are a middle-of-the-pack franchise that happens to be a bottom-dweller in too many important statistical categories on offense and defense following last Sunday’s 31-28 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, and heading into this Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, which wraps up the first quarter of the season.
Coach Brian Flores has been harping on the team’s lack of execution, the self-inflicted wounds since Miami’s season-opening win against the Patriots, which was produced by the fourth-quarter fumble Xavien Howard forced and recovered with the game on the line and the Patriots charging down the field for a potential game-winning touchdown.
But the improvement needed for the Dolphins (1-2) to win football
games, and end this two-game losing streak hasn’t arrived.
And if we’re going to be honest, this team isn’t clicking on either side of the ball and that is a coaching issue.
“At the end of the day we didn’t do enough. That starts with me,” Flores said Monday. “We need to do a better job of getting them prepared to go out and execute.”
While Miami is laboring to overcome the loss of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is sidelined until at least Oct. 17 because of broken ribs he suffered in a 35-0 loss to the Bills in Week 2, and working to patch up a leaky and an inexperienced offensive line, many other problems that have hindered this team are fixable.
The Dolphins rank 27th in run defense entering Monday night’s game, allowing 136 rushing yards
per contest. The Raiders were the third opponent to rush for more than 100 yards this season, and the second to feature a 100-yard rusher against the Dolphins. Only the Colts, Cardinals, Seahawks, Chiefs and Chargers have allowed more rushing yards per game than the Dolphins.
The Dolphins defense is averaging 1.7 sacks per game. Only four teams — the Eagles, Jaguars, Chiefs, and Buccaneers — have been worse after three games.
“It all comes down to preparation and how we attack it. [Defensive coordinator Josh] Boyer does a great job of putting us in very good situations when it comes to play calls and we have to do a better job of execution,” said second-year safety Brandon Jones, who delivered two sacks against the Raiders but was victimized on two overtime plays that put the Raiders in position to kick the game-winning 22-yard field goal.
“We kind of have to dial in and learn fast. Can’t let the negative plays haunt us and stay with us that long.”
Miami’s defense is allowing 27.3 points per game (82 total) so far this season. Only nine teams are worse.
And the Dolphins are scoring 15 points per game. Only the Bears (13.3) and Jets (6.7) are worse.
The Dolphins offense is averaging 268.3 yards per game. Only the Jets, Saints and Bears are getting fewer.
The Dolphins are averaging 92.7 rushing yards per game (ranked 23rd) and 4.0 yards per attempt (16th).
“We see that we can get things done. It takes consistency throughout practice, Sometimes it doesn’t always come together right away. It’s a long season,” said tailback Malcolm Brown, who started his first game for the Dolphins on Sunday and gained 31 rushing yards and scored one touchdown on seven carries.
The Dolphins rushed for a season-high 133 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns against the Raiders, which Flores acknowledged was a step in the right direction.
“I’m still confident in this team. Those guys who watch the game saw the fight we have,” Brown said. “That type of game gave me confidence. I’m excited to improve.
“I feel like we can get things rolling because we have some juice on this offense.”
If Flores and his staff can get the team to properly improve its run game, pass protection, pass rush, and run defense, which all happen to be areas the Dolphins have struggled with during the 35 games since Flores became the head coach since 2019, its possible Miami can rebound this season.
Flores owns a 16-19 record during that stretch. For comparisons sake, his predecessor, Adam Gase was 19-16 during an identical stretch, and played without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill for 19 of those games. Joe Philbin was 16-19, and Tony Sparano was 20-15 in his first 35 games.
“We have to do a better job of putting these guys in position to have success and close out games, be competitive in games. That starts with me,” Flores said, referring to his coaching staff. “We have to prepare them better and we have to play more consistent.”