Safety ’n’ numbers: Jones is frustrated
DOLPHINS in the box, assisting in run support, but the Dolphins are using him to roam the back-end of the secondary, even though Gase knows that’s not his strength.
“[McDonald’s] honestly one of our best communicators back there in terms of just getting guys lined up and getting the checks out and being in tune with the game plan and those sort of things,” Burke said when asked about McDonald last week. “I think he’s actually had probably an underrated season to be honest with you. He’s done a good job for us.”
Jones said the shoulder injury he’s been playing with since September isn’t an excuse for playing him so far back because he’s handling the contact well, and stressed he’s only missed two tackles the past five games.
“My shoulder has nothing to do with it. I can play in the back. I can play up [in the box]. I’m a versatile safety. I’m not tripping. It’s whatever they want,” Jones said. “Whatever is best for this team. I’m here to play football. I can’t coach and play.”
In the offseason, Gase expressed concern that Jones and McDonald, who has 85 tackles and three interceptions this season, wouldn’t mesh well playing together.
Miami used a first-round pick on Fitzpatrick, who has been forced to play cornerback most of the season because of injuries and the team’s struggles at the position, in this year’s draft.
However, Gase indicated that Fitzpatrick’s tenure at cornerback is temporary, and that he’ll be returning to free safety eventually.
“As a safety, his communication skills are really good. He’s smart. He helps a lot. He makes other guys better when he’s playing safety,” Gase said. “I think corner is just so tough. He might not get a ball thrown his way, whereas at safety, he’s involved in so much and that’s the value of that.”
What that means for Jones and McDonald is unclear, but both veterans have large portions of their 2019 contracts guaranteed.
McDonald has $3.64 million of his $5 million salary in 2019 fully guaranteed.
And the Dolphins are committed to paying Jones $11.1 million of his $13.1 million salary in 2019. He’ll also be guaranteed $2 million of his 2020 salary ($11.58 million) if he’s on the roster the third day of the league year in 2019.
This season, the Dolphins defense ranks 30th in total yards allowed per game (402.3), 31st in rushing yards allowed per game (145.2), 31st in net passing yards allowed per game (6.2) and 30th in sacks per passing play. Miami has recorded just 24 sacks. Only the Oakland Raiders (12) have fewer.
Burke’s unit also ranks 27th in third-down efficiency, allowing a conversion rate of 42.4 percent, and 27th in points allowed per game (26.7).
“They coach, I play. If they don’t see the need to move me back to be more effective, then that’s on them. Whatever they want me [to do], whatever role they need me at, that’s what I’m willing to do,” said Jones, who has started 107 games for the Dolphins since Miami selected him in the fifth round of the 2010 draft.
“I’m here to play football and be coachable. Wherever they put me at, wherever they need me at is what I’m willing to do.”