Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Minus Suh, defense sees strength in numbers
DAVIE – Although the Miami Dolphins lost AllPro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to the Los Angeles Rams via free agency, they think the defensive line could be better through numbers. Use more people, they reason, and get better performances.
“So far I like the talent,” said defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, who joined Miami from Detroit, “but the talent has got to work. And that’s the thing these guys have been doing. Since Day One they’ve bought into the work ethic we’re looking for as a coaching staff. They show up every day prepared and make sure we get better one day at a time.
“But the talent is there. We’ve just got to work hard to make sure we maximize our abilities and help the team win as much as we can.”
The Dolphins figure depth, developed using as many as eight defensive linemen (four tackles, four ends), is a viable way to make up for Suh’s departure.
“The point for us is to get better each and every day and keep pushing each other,” defensive end Andre Branch said Wednesday, the second day of this week’s three-day organized team activities.
And that’s the approach of the Dolphins’ defensive line, a unit that helped Miami improve to 14th against the run last season, a big improvement from finishing 30th in 2016.
“For us, now it’s all about roles and understanding that we want to be fresh,” Branch said. “And if you get tired, then come out and not having to force reps [plays] when you’re dog-tired. For us, it’s always being fresh and playing fast.”
Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who the Dolphins hope challenges for a starting job this season, is among the defensive tackles the Dolphins are hoping to rotate during games in an effort to keep the group fresh.
Godchaux could be a starter alongside Jordan Phillips, the three-year veteran. Or he could be a reserve behind veteran Akeem Spence.
Either way they’ll likely be supplemented by reserves Vincent Taylor, Gabe Wright and undrafted rookies Anthony Moten and Jamiyus Pittman. Defensive end William Hayes will also likely move inside to play defensive tackle in running situations.
Hayes will be joined at defensive end by Cameron Wake, Robert Quinn, Branch and Charles Harris, among others.
Together, that defensive line is hoping to blend into a game-changing unit without Suh.
“It’s a sense of urgency now,” Branch said. “Last year was kind of complacent, but for us we know what we have and we can’t make excuses now.”