Deiter excited about ‘beauty’ of McDaniel’s new offensive system
Michael Deiter knows that Dolphins management and the coaching staff believe in him enough that the organization didn’t prioritize finding a new center this offseason.
But he also knows that he’s assured of nothing, evidenced by the fact that the Dolphins have experimented with Connor Williams at center in the offseason program, splitting the former Dallas Cowboy’s time between left guard (his natural position) and center during the past couple of weeks.
Williams logged snaps at center in preseason games for Dallas during the past two years.
Asked if he takes solace in the Dolphins not signing a veteran center this offseason, Deiter said Wednesday: “I’m excited I have a chance to compete to play for the Dolphins another year. Obviously [the Dolphins signing a center] didn’t happen. It’s not something I really worry about.
“It’s been a blessing because I have a career in the NFL. You come in and want to be the greatest thing ever and you’re always working for that. It’s been a blessing to still be here and compete here to keep the career alive.”
Deiter started eight games last season, missing substantial time with a foot injury before returning for the final five games.
He said he’s “a lot better” at center than he was a year ago, but “I can be a lot better still. I’m more confident this offseason than a year ago. It’s going good.”
Deiter echoed multiple teammates in expressing excitement about the Dolphins’ new zone running scheme that’s being implemented by new coach Mike McDaniel.
“It’s a system where we can play with confidence, cut it loose, worry about winning, not worry about losing,” he said. “It’s a ton of fun because we can play with confidence. It seems really exciting.
“Every guy is capable
[of playing in this system]. Some guys are a little more athletic [but] everyone is capable of running outside zone successfully. You have to be confident in your assignment to cut it loose with technique. As long as you follow the techniques, anyone can do it. That’s the beauty of it.”
Deiter loves the approach of new offensive line coach Matt Applebaum, who has been receiving positive reviews, publicly and privately.
“So far, he’s really cool. A detailed guy, intense guy. He’s been a great teacher so far. We’re learning a ton. Definitely a cool dude. Heck of a teacher.”
Right guard Robert Hunt said Applebaum “is a guy that you can tell really cares about the room.”
The new coaching staff has several coaches who have been involved in the run game or coached the offensive line — McDaniel, offensive coordinator Frank Smith and Applebaum, who coached at Boston College last season.
“You can tell talking to them that running the ball is important to them,” Deiter said. “The detail, the way they break it down how [the new scheme] can be effective; it’s cool to have three guys who are smart and care about the run and want to get it going and simplify it for you. It gives you a lot of confidence.”
Of the new offensive coaching staff, Hunt said: “You can tell they want to teach. We’ve got some really good teachers in our room. [They explain] the ‘why’ — why we’re doing everything — so it’s a beautiful thing.”
THIS AND THAT
Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was pleased that the Dolphins exercised his $10.7 million fifth-year option for 2023.
Wilkins declined to discuss the possibility of a long-term contract — or whether it has been discussed — but said: “I’m glad I will be able to be here for another year.”
Wilkins will earn $2.6 million this season.
“I’m still as frugal as I can be,” he said.
Pro Football Focus rated him sixth best among all interior linemen last season. His 89 tackles tied with Cameron Heyward for most among defensive linemen.
Also, Wilkins was credited by Pro Football Focus with 35 stops, a metric that measures plays that are particularly hurtful for the opposing offense
(such as stopping a thirdand-3 run short of a first down). That was thirdmost among interior linemen.
And his pass rush also improved; he had 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, compared with 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in his first two seasons combined.
The Dolphins will not play any international games this season. The international schedule, announced Wednesday: Minnesota-New Orleans on Oct. 2 in London; New York Giants-Green Bay on Oct. 9 in London; DenverJacksonville on Oct. 30 in London; Seattle-Tampa Bay on Nov. 13 in Munich;
and San Francisco-Arizona on Nov. 21 in Mexico City.
In addition to signing 14 undrafted rookies (deals that have not yet been announced), the Dolphins reportedly have invited a slew of undrafted rookies to attend their May 7-8 rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
That group, according to various reports, includes Liberty offensive man Tristan Schultz, Tennessee State defensive back Cory Rahman, UTEP running back
Quardraiz Wadley, FIU receiver Bryce Singleton, Rutgers defensive end
Mike Tverdov, Rutgers linebacker Tyshon Fogg, Iowa State safety Greg Eisworth and Virginia State safety Will Adams.
Teams occasionally sign a player who tries out for them in rookie minicamp. The Dolphins are up against the 90-man offseason roster limit but can cut players to add different ones.