Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Slowing down, making strides
Dolphins coaches think LB McMillan is often too fast for own good
DAVIE — Raekwon McMillan aspires to be the best linebacker in the NFL, to help the Miami Dolphins become the best defense in the league, and compete for Super Bowls every year.
While his ambitions seem lofty, McMillan is confident they can come to fruition if he puts the work in.
“Every week, I’m learning,” said McMillan, the second-year Dolphins linebacker in the midst of his first season as a starter.
“It seems like a long process for the fans, but I appreciate the ones that are taking their time with me. I think I’m going to get better with time.”
McMillan has shown flashes of potential, while also showing he is still very much a work in progress as a starting Mike linebacker for the Dolphins, who host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday (1 p.m., CBS).
In Indianapolis last week, McMillan turned what would have been a 10-yard gain for the Colts into his second fumble forced, a timely turnover for his team’s defense in the first quarter.
However, shortly before halftime McMillan got himself out of position and was left standing in the end zone wondering how Andrew Luck threw a short touchdown pass behind him to tight end Jack Doyle that tied the game.
Just as it seems like McMillan is turning a corner, McMillan is reminded of the road ahead for him if he hopes to fulfill a promising NFL career.
After all, this is just his first NFL season after his rookie year was cut short due to an ACL tear in his right knee. The injury occurred during the first preseason game in 2017.
“People expect you to come in
and be a Pro Bowl player. It happens for some guys, but most guys have to develop over time,” McMillan said. “This is my first year so there’s still a learning curve for me, especially at the Mike linebacker position. I feel like I’ve gotten better in my whole complete game, just being in the right spot.”
Dolphins defensive coordinator Matt Burke has a unique outlook on McMillan’s improvement.
Burke says McMillan is sometimes “too fast in a reactionary sense” to what he sees when plays unfold.
As McMillan is building a database of plays while on the field, there are times when McMillan overreacts to run plays and play-action passes.
Rather than slow down altogether, Burke wants McMillan to take “half a step” more to make his reads with hopes of being in better position.
“I think he’s trending in the right direction and I don’t think his physical ability is going to hold him back from doing the things we’re asking him to do,” Burke said of McMillan.
While McMillan was able to use film to learn his position last year, he admits being on the field to experience the trial and errors first hand have better helped his growth.
McMillan’s production has been vital to the defense despite being ranked as the No. 40 inside linebacker in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
He has 65 total tackles, third-most among Dolphins players behind linebacker Kiko Alonso (95) and safety T.J. McDonald (68).
“Not many people realize missing a whole year, having to be away from football like that is tough, especially your rookie year,” Alonso said of McMillan.
“Things do feel faster because you had a year off, but I think he’s doing a good job. Things are slowing down for him, and I feel like he’s getting better every week.”
McMillan and rookie linebacker Jerome Baker, who played together at Ohio State, have played around 60 percent of Miami’s defensive snaps in recent weeks as the Dolphins have played more nickel packages to get rookie defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick on the field more.
McMillan hopes to make the most of his opportunities in the final five weeks of the season, but he has a greater goal in mind as the Dolphins hope to push for an AFC playoff spot.
“I’m trying to win – I’m trying to go 5-0,” McMillan said. “People talk about individual stuff. I don’t care about that kind of stuff. People will talk about the forced fumble, and yeah, I’m happy to do it.
“But I’ve always been like this – all I care about is winning, and whatever it takes to win, I’m down for.”