Dolphins’ young linebackers must raise game
The Dolphins know they need to add linebackers who are skilled passrushers and can play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense when they use that scheme. (They will also continue to use a 4-3 at times.)
But here’s something they say they already have: a couple of ascending young inside linebackers.
In recent days, new Dolphins linebackers coach Rob Leonard raved about Jerome Baker and Raekwon McMillan, two players who will be important pieces of this rebuild, presuming they continue to improve.
“I had a chance to go to Ohio State to meet Jerome last year when he was coming out,” said Leonard, who coached outside linebackers for the Giants last season.
“Smart kid, great athlete. Absolutely [his speed] can only help you. The game is a space game and he’s able to do that. I can’t tell you how excited I am to work with him.”
Baker held up better in the run game that some Dolphins people expected, considering he’s undersized at 215 to 220 pounds, compared with 248 for McMillan. In fact, Pro Football Focus rated him 14th among 79 linebackers against the run — eight spots behind McMillan but 20 ahead of Kiko Alonzo. Baker’s 79 tackles were tied for seventh among rookie linebackers and he had three sacks.
“For a guy that’s somewhat undersized, he played more stout than what we thought he would,” said former Dolphins linebackers coach Frank Bush, who’s now on Adam Gase’s Jets staff. “He did his job in the run game as well as he can and once he gets bigger and stronger, he will be even better.”
Regarding McMillan — who had 105 tackles — Leonard said: “He did improve. I just hope to build on that with him. He’s another physical, tough guy. Can run, can hit. He finished the year strong.”
PFF rated McMillan sixth among all linebackers against the run and no NFL linebacker had more run stops (holding the opponent to a play that PFF deemed unsuccessful) over the final four weeks. “I picked up my practice habits and started running to the ball more,” McMillan said.
Whether Alonso will be a part of the rebuilding program longterm is questionable. But Leonard made clear he values him, noting he “plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. He plays with a motor.” Alonso was 10th in the league with 125 tackles despite missing a game and had two forced fumbles and three interceptions.
Alonso is due non-guaranteed salaries of $6.5 million and $6.4 million in the final two years of his contract and could be trade bait.
The Dolphins would have $4.7 million in cap savings and a $3.5 million dead money cap hit if they trade or surprisingly release him this offseason.
But here’s the problem with this group: Dolphins linebackers remain among the worst in the league in pass coverage. Consider:
McMillan allowed 36 of 41 passes thrown in his coverage area to be caught for 368 yards; his 143.6 passer rating against was second-worst among NFL linebackers and his six touchdowns allowed through the air were second-most, behind only Tahair Whiteside.
Baker shows some promise in pass coverage, with an interception return for a touchdown against the Jets. But of the other 49 passes thrown against him, he allowed 39 catches for 381 yards and a TD. He must be better in this area, considering that was considered his strength out of Ohio State.
Alonso had the three picks but allowed 53 completions (14th most among linebackers) in 75 attempts for 638 yards and four TDs (tied for fourth most by linebackers).
PFF rated him 88th among 91 linebackers against the pass.
Yes, NFL linebackers are at a natural disadvantage in the passing game against fast backs, receivers and tight ends. But Dolphins linebackers’ struggles in coverage remain one of the problems the Dolphins can never seem to solve, though Baker has potential to excel there.
Bush insists McMillan can shore up his pass coverage — though he seemed a step slow at times. “The more he sees, the better he will be.”
And here’s the other problem at linebacker: Asked if there’s a single linebacker on the roster capable of playing outside linebacker in a 3-4, Leonard couldn’t come up with one at this point.
The answer is probably no. And that makes that a priority position this offseason. CHATTER
Even with the Heat ninth in the East at the moment, Miami — in its current lottery position — would have only a two percent chance of the top pick in the draft (Duke’s Zion Williamson )anda 9.4 percent of a top four pick (with Duke’s R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish and Murray State’s Ja Morant expected to go in some order between 2 and 4). Marlins manager Don Mattingly said he likely will go with a closer-bycommittee approach, with Sergio Romo, Drew Steckenrider and Adam Conley sharing opportunities based on situations…. Two relievers to keep an eye on in battles for bullpen jobs: Riley Ferrell (plucked in Rule 5 draft from Houston) and Nick Anderson (88 strikeouts in 60 innings in Triple A for Twins last season).
UM added only two linebackers so far offseason (freshmen Avery Huff and Sam Brooks), but the Canes believe Bradley Jennings Jr., Waymon Steed and perhaps De’Andre Wilder are good enough to step in for seniors-to-be Shaq Quarterman, Mike Pinckney and Zach McCloud in 2020 and are recruiting a bunch of linebackers in the 2020 class.
The last word Wednesday from UM coach Manny Diaz, via WQAM-560: “There are a million places where you can be good, just not UM. Here, you have to be great. There are 130 colleges where being good is acceptable. Those that can’t live up to our standard have to find a different place to play.”