Offensive lineman Eichenberg has been showcasing his versatility
In a year’s time, Dolphins guard Liam Eichenberg has gone from maligned and beleaguered to reliable and dependable.
After struggling at tackle as a rookie in 2021 and seeing most of the last two months of the 2022 season torpedoed by injuries, Eichenberg has done admirable work at guard and center during the past two months.
In his past three games, Eichenberg has allowed no sacks and just two pressures; that includes two games at right guard and one at left guard, where he played Sunday against Washington.
Though he said he’s more comfortable at right guard than left guard, he played very well at left guard against Washington. The coaching staff opted to start Eichenberg ahead of Lester Cotton.
Unless left guard Isaiah Wynn surprisingly returns from a significant quadriceps injury, this could be Eichenberg’s job for the rest of the season. He has started 33 of his 38 NFL appearances.
Also notable: Eichenberg didn’t allow a sack in his final two of three games filling in at center last month when Connor Williams was sidelined.
And his versatility is a valuable commodity. He has now played all five positions on the offensive line in regular-season games.
“That gives me a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “I look at it now that I can do whatever they need me to do. Wherever they put me, I know I can do it. If I went back to tackle, it will be easier now.”
Fullback Alec Ingold raves about Eichenberg’s preparation.
“I sit behind that dude in all of our offensive meetings, all of our team meetings, so I see his approach on a daily basis,” Ingold said. “The way he’s locked in; the notebook that he has is unbelievable. There’s notes everywhere. It’s kind of sporadic, but it’s everywhere, and it’s all the time and it’s every day.
“So whether he’s playing well or playing bad, or people are pointing out this or that, his consistent approach is exactly what everyone talks about.”
The Dolphins’ offensive line didn’t give up a sack Sunday. The offense’s 18 sacks allowed are their third fewest in football.
ESPN’s Louis Riddick — who will work the Titans-Dolphins game Monday night with Chris Fowler and Dan Orlovsky — said Miami’s offensive line, against Washington,
was “masterful in the run game. Physical, athletic, nasty…That is not a good sign for opponents down the stretch.”
TINDALL UPDATE
After playing just nine defensive snaps as a rookie, former third-round pick Channing Tindall has logged just 12 this season because he’s behind four veterans at inside linebacker. He played three of those snaps Sunday.
“Channing got out there with the defense and did a good job in his snaps at the end of the game,” coach Mike McDaniel said.
Now, he’s just one more injury from a significant role, with Jerome Baker expected to miss multiple weeks with a knee injury and Jaelan Phillips out for the season, an injury that requires Andrew
Van Ginkel to focus on playing the edge instead of inside linebacker.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has said that Tindall “has good athletic ability.”
Tindall said last week that he believes playing for Fangio will help his development. “I love Vic Fangio’s system, and I like the way the linebackers play,” Tindall said.
“They can do a little of everything. Fitting into the system and learning it has been a process, but a good process. [Fangio] tells me every so often to keep pushing.”
Tindall has played 167 snaps on special teams. Has the lack of playing time on defense left him discouraged?
“I’m fine,” he said. “Of course, anybody in the NFL wants to get out there. But I know I’m still learning. It’s a process.”
Meanwhile, Van Ginkel — who is getting the bulk of the work in Phillips’ outside linebacker spot after Phillips’ Achilles injury — has risen to sixth among all edge players in Pro Football Focus rankings.
His 33 pressures in 188 pass-rushing attempts is elite; it’s the second most for any NFL player who has rushed the quarterback 200 times or fewer this season.
“Vic puts you in good play calls to be successful,” Van Ginkel said.
In the four full games that Phillips has missed due to injury this season, Van Ginkel has four sacks and an interception return for a touchdown.
ROSTER DECISIONS
The Dolphins bypassed signing linebacker and former San Francisco 49ers first-round pick
Reuben Foster after his workout for the team Wednesday. Foster hasn’t played in the NFL since 2018.
“Didn’t get the job but grateful for every opportunity I get. Thank you, @Miami Dolphins,” Foster posted on social media Wednesday.
The Dolphins signed defensive tackle Justin Ellis to their practice squad and released safety
Verone McKinley III from the practice squad.
Ellis, a 352-pound nose tackle, has 182 tackles in 117 NFL games, including 54 starts. He started four games for the New York Giants last season but hasn’t appeared in a game this year.
Ellis also has played for the then-Oakland Raiders and Baltimore. He was a fourth-round pick of the Raiders in 2014.
McKinley played in 10 games with the Dolphins (all in 2022), with two starts.