Agree with Perkins, if we make the playoffs it will be be thru the strength of the defensive line:
If the front seven develops into a game-changing or game-winning unit, 11 wins and a playoff berth becomes a lot more realistic.
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“Hand placement, technique, footwork and then communication with the regard of owning that communication as opposed to renting that communication and knowing the words, but not making them come to life,” he said.
The big key here is Chubb and Phillips, potentially the best pass rushing duo this franchise has seen in more than a decade, staying healthy and each being a double-digit sack guy. If that happens, this front seven will almost certainly be dominant.
Chubb, who missed last season due to a knee injury, had 11 sacks in 2023, his best production in a Miami uniform.
Phillips has missed most of the last two seasons due to Achilles and knee injuries, but he had 8.5 sacks as a rookie in 2021.
Robinson had 6.0 sacks last season, finishing strong in the final eight games.
Ideally, they’d form a vise grip around troublesome quarterbacks such as Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow.
From the inside, the Dolphins would get a pass rush from Sieler and Grant.
But more importantly, they’ll get run-stuffing support from Sieler and Grant, who would clear the way for Brooks and Dodson to stop running backs such as Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor, Baltimore’s Derrick Henry, Buffalo’s James Cook or Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson.
Yes, the depth is thin on the defensive line but there‘s a chance that can be helped by adding a training camp cut or two.
Even considering the work that needs to be done to build defensive line depth, things are promising for the front seven, and that offers hope for the gut-punched defense.
The Dolphins have been on the verge of a game-changing defense for each of the last two years under Weaver and
ex-defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, two high-quality, highly-respected leaders.
The defense’s No. 1 on-field problem has been health.
In 2023 and 2024, the defense sustained major injuries to players such as Chubb, Phillips, Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey, Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard, and safety Jevon Holland, to name a few.
You’ll notice a few defensive backs were named among those key injuries.
The defense’s area of strength has to change this year.
The secondary is almost a complete rebuild, with four of the five starters in the nickel package departing or expected to depart. Only slot cornerback Kader Kohou returns. Don’t count on the secondary doing anything game-changing. In fact, the secondary might be more of a detriment than a help. Things are bad on the back end right now.
I’m still amazed the Dolphins decided against drafting a cornerback in the third or fourth rounds.
Fortunately, the Dolphins’ defense is in the hands of the front seven, and fortunately the front seven is led by Weaver.
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