No straight (O-)line to starters
DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins offensive line has played musical chairs with the five starting spots all season, using eight different starting combinations in 11 games.
And there’s no guarantee a ninth lineup isn’t coming.
In last Sunday’s 41-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Dolphins stuck with Julien Davenport as the starting left tackle, again having the third-year veteran replace J’Marcus Webb to start his third game of the season and second straight on the left side of the line.
Shaq Calhoun, an undrafted rookie from Mississippi State, unseated Evan Boehm during practice last week, earning his third start at right guard.
Miami’s coaches stress their decision on who starts and where is contingent upon practice performances each week.
“He earned his way into the lineup by his preparation and his practice, and there were some positive things that he did in the game,” offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea said Tuesday when asked about Calhoun’s move up the depth chart.
Earlier this month Calhoun, who excels as a run blocker, had been criticized by coach Brian Flores for hitting “the rookie wall” from a physical standpoint. But it seems as if the Dolphins like the way Calhoun is finishing the season, and the coaches might opt to continue investing in him as a starter.
“There were some real positive things that he did in the game,” O’Shea said about Calhoun. “Prior to the game, there were some things that were very encouraging that he did in practice, that he was really making some improvements in some of the areas that we’ve asked him to improve in. I think now it’s just a matter of overall consistency.”
It’s irresponsible to conclude that the demotions of Webb and Boehm have nothing to do with the fact both are nursing injuries — Webb has a shin injury, Boehm a hip injury — that have lingered for weeks. And each of those veterans is slated to become an unrestricted free agent, while Davenport and Calhoun are under contract for the 2020 season.
The Dolphins likely want to evaluate Davenport, whom they acquired in the trade with Houston in September that sent Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills to the Texans for 2020 and 2021 first-round picks and a 2020 second-round selection, to determine if he’s starter material.
“I thought he played well,” Flores said, assessing Davenport, who is 6-foot-7, 325 pounds.
O’Shea said Davenport’s “movement skills” stood out to him against the Browns.
The former Bucknell standout, whom the Texans selected in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, has played left tackle most of his collegiate and NFL career. He opened this season as Miami’s starting right tackle before breaking his leg during a practice the next week.
Davenport spent eight weeks on injured reserve before becoming one of two Dolphins players to return from IR. During his absence, Webb settled into the left tackle spot and Jesse Davis became the team’s starting right tackle.
“[Davenport] played better than a week ago; the same with Shaq,” Flores said. “Obviously we wanted to give those guys an opportunity. They both practiced well last week. I think it showed up in the game.”
defensive tackle to the rotation. Taco Charlton, who has contributed 18 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble since being claimed off the waiver wire, is the only pass rusher worth salvaging.
Don’t be surprised when Miami decides to move on from Charles Harris, its 2017 first-round pick who has struggled this season (20 tackles and a half-sack). Davon Godchaux and Christian Wilkins need to do a better job versus the run.
Linebacker: The Dolphins have a handful of decent players in this unit, but there’s some question whether all of them fit Miami’s scheme.
Raekwon McMillan (56 tackles) and Jerome Baker (82 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble) have both had decent seasons. Vince Biegel, who has contributed 39 tackles and two sacks, has been a pleasant surprise. However, Sam Eguaveon has regressed, though he is still salvageable.
But the Dolphins need one of these linebackers to become an impactful playmaker they can build this defense around. It would be wise to add that player through the draft, a trade or free agency.
Cornerback: Xavien Howard’s performance in the first half of the loss to the Steelers showed again that he’s an elite talent when healthy, but the Dolphins need to figure out how to put his knee issues in his past.
Undrafted rookie Nik Needham, and nickel cornerback Jomal Wiltz have both had their moments at cornerback, but each must do a better job in pass coverage in the final five games to be viewed as a building block for the future.
One more reliable starter is needed, and that player isn’t on the roster.
Safety: Reshad Jones’ age (31), and bloated salary ($11.58 million in 2020, which features $4 million in guaranteed money) put him in danger of being released, or traded. Bobby McCain was decent in his first year as Miami’s starting free safety, contributing 25 tackles and two interceptions, before suffering his seasonending shoulder injury. And Eric Rowe, a converted cornerback, is blossoming into a decent specialist that covers tight ends.
However, none of them has the potential to make Miami’s secondary dynamic, which makes this season’s trade that sent Minkah Fitzpatrick (54 tackles, five interceptions and two forced fumbles) to the Steelers for what will likely turn into a mid-level 2020 first-round pick look foolish. The Dolphins need to find the type of playmaking safety this secondary can be built around.
Special teams: Kicker Jason Sanders has made 10 of his 14 field-goal attempts this season and hit all 17 of his extra-point attempts. He’s only had 9 of 39 kickoffs returned. Matt Haack is averaging a career-high 45.7 yards per punt and 41.8 net yards this season. He’s downed 17 of 52 punts inside the 20 yard line, and has only had two touchbacks this season.
Jakeem Grant’s 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Bills earlier this month shows he still possesses the speed and elusiveness to be viewed as a dynamic returner.