Several teams eye Miami defensive coordinator
DAVIE — It looks increasingly likely the Dolphins will be searching for a new defensive coordinator this offseason.
Vance Jos e ph, a he adcoaching candidate the past few years, has emerged as a popular target for several teams with vacancies. Miami coach Adam Gase said mult i pl e or g a ni z a t i ons have requested permi ssion to speak with him.
“There are going to be a great opportunities for him whenever that time comes,” Gase said. “That’s a great thing for not only him, but our players on defense should be proud because one of the reasons why he’s getting that opportunity is they played well. They did some things that people didn’t re ally expect us to do and they were on board with what he was trying to accomplish.”
The NFL will not allow Joseph to officially interview until the Dolphins’ season is over. Assistants on teams that have a first-round bye and those on teams that didn’t make the playoffs are eligible now.
The Bills, Broncos, Jaguars, Chargers, 49ers and Rams are looking for a head coach.
Gase has zero concern about that being a distraction for Joseph as the Dolphins prepare to visit Pittsburgh on Sunday in the first round of the playoffs.
“Vance is somebody that I trust a lot,” Gase said. “I know what his focus is.”
The Dolphins set a franchise record for most yardage allowed in a se ason, but finished 18th in the league at 23.8 points given up per game.
Those aren’t particularly impressive numbers, but Joseph has been playing shorthanded all year. Miami played its season finale without five players on its ideal 11-man starting lineup, and several key players have been in and out over the course of the year.
G a s e a n d t h e p l a y e r s also have praised Joseph’s demeanor and approach, both of which would serve him well as a head coach.
“What he’s brought is just that change in culture of telling the truth,” safety Michael Thomas said. “Guys are able to hold each other accountable, and he’s brought that mind-set of doing your job right every single time. I commend him. I’ve learned so much and grown so much to where I’m not just a young guy flying around trying to make a play. I have a job to do, and I need to do it right all the time.
“Obviously, his name is hot, and he earned that. The way we’ve played helped with that. Obviously, I want him to stay here, but if he goes somewhere else, he’s e a r ned t hat . We’d a l l be happy for him.”
Teammates back Suh: The perception of Ndamukong Suh might be this simple: If he’s on your team, he’s fine. If not, he’s a dirty player.
Shortly after the Dolphins lost to New England on Sunday, Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount blasted Suh for being a “dirty player.”
“You know, there’s not many guys in the league that like that guy,” Blount said of Suh. “I don’t even know if it’s a lot of guys on that team that like him.
“He’s a dirty player. He’s always been a dirty player. He’s going to always be a dirty player. There’s no room in the game for that.”
Suh hasn’t responded to what Blount said because it came out after Suh’s postgame press conference, but some teammates stood up for him Monday.
“I really don’t care, honestly,” defensive end Andre Branch said of Blount’s criticism. “OK, cool. I’ve been called a dirt y player, too. I’m fine with that, and I’m sure Suh is fine with that.” Is he dirty? “He’s an amazing player,” Branch said. “One of the best D-tackles in football. So I guess if ‘dirty’ goes with that, then I guess he can live with it.” Gase also defended Suh. “I didn’t see that,” the coach said, unsure of the specific offense that upset Blount. “Maybe there’s something from the past that I don’t know about.
“I know since I’ve been here, Suh has done everything right. He’s played hard. He’s tried to do everything he can to help our defense play well. It’s hard for me to comment on something that I’m not really sure exactly what (Blount) was talking about. I c an’t say I really understand what he was getting at there.”
Noteworthy: Cornerback Byron Maxwell (ankle) and linebacker Jelani Jenkins (knee) are still doing rehab on their injuries.
“I t s ounds l i ke Jel ani’s moving around a lot better,” Gase said. It doesn’t sound promising on Maxwell at this point.