Healthy Alonso calling plays, making hits, forcing turnovers
DAVIE — Dolphins coach Adam Gase mentioned on Thursday that outside linebacker Kiko Alonso has been involved in defensive play-calling.
Through two games this season, it is clear that Alonso has re-established himself as a tenacious, walloping force, but also that he has emerged as the trusted leader for Miami’s youthful linebackers.
“The responsibility is getting them the call so everyone can do their job,” Alonso said of speaking in the huddle. “I’ve been in the system longer. And so I have stuff I can help on. And I’ve played several positions in this system so that’s where I can help them.”
The Dolphins have two highly drafted linebackers from Ohio State with excellent upside. But Raekwon McMillan (second round, 2017) and Jerome Baker (third round, 2018) have each played only two NFL games.
Coaches say each youngster was better against the Jets than the Titans. But there will be some growing pains.
For example, McMillan used “poor technique” on a long touchdown pass to Bilal Powell last Sunday, according to defensive coordinator Matt Burke.
“He kind of over-committed to the flat route and Powell angled back underneath him,” Burke said. “But we should have a little bit of help there. We shouldn’t isolate him like that.”
McMillan should be a runthumper. And Baker should be a speedy blitzer who is strong on coverage of tight ends and running backs.
Through the first two weeks, however, we’ve seen Alonso play like the dominant linebacker he was for long stretches of the 2016 season.
“I mean, (Kiko) had probably one of the more productive games I’ve ever seen by a linebacker, at least that I’ve been around,” Gase said of Alonso’s play against the Jets. “I mean, he was all over the place. I thought he did a great job hustling to the football, a good job of getting the ball. He had some really good hits. He was assignment-sound.”
When Alonso is at his best, he’s creating turnovers. His best attribute has been consistent effort, followed by an aggressive nature.
“I thought I was prepared,” Alonso said. “And I thought I just went out there and executed well. I pride myself in running to the ball. And I think a lot of plays you saw me make were just the result of running to the ball.”
Alonso is setting a good example for Miami’s young linebackers.
“Practice hard, play hard,” he said, making it sound simple.
What’s not simple is making an adjustment from middle linebacker to outside linebacker, which Alonso did last season. As a middle linebacker, Alonso also called the plays.
But after a year outside, he understands the angles of the developing plays better.
“I think it just goes with the more reps and time you spend in a system,” Alonso said. “The better you’ll get because the more stuff you see.”
Alonso had 13 tackles, all solo, on Sunday, which is a highly unusual number. He also forced two fumbles, including a game-changer where he thumped a receiver from behind.
Alonso has 19 tackles in two games, which is nearly double Reshad Jones’ 10 and more than double McMillan’s 9. Two years ago, Alonso was among the league leaders. This year, he already has two forced fumbles and an interception, showing improvement in pass coverage.
The Dolphins linebackers are working hard on chemistry, which isn’t easy when two of the three players are thinking so much about what their assignment is on a given play.
Alonso seems to know exactly what to do. He’s playing hard, playing fast and leading by example. Miami will need all that against Marshawn Lynch and the Raiders on Sunday.