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Miami Dolphins: Can The Secondary Be Elite In 2018?

DKphin

DKphin

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One of the things that many of the recent championship caliber teams have in common is an outstanding secondary. Whether it be The Legion of Boom in Seattle or No Fly Zone in Denver, we’ve seen a ton of great defensive backfields carry teams to Super Bowls in recent history. It’s way too early to be talking Super Bowl when it comes to the Miami Dolphins, but it looks like they could be putting together one of those types of groups.

https://nflspinzone.com/2018/06/26/miami-dolphins-can-secondary-be-elite-2018/
 
I see it too. The defense needs a group to start the overall reputation. I believe the defensive backfield has the potential to be that group. With the league being a "passing league" having a dominant group in the defensive backfield is a great place to start.
 
Yes...if the Tankersley/Lippett CB spot develops and Fitzpatrick does what we think he will...yes.

Also...have the type of edge rushers we have helps also.
 
At this point I'm just hoping(expecting kind of) for them to be good. It's the same for almost every position group on offense and defense. I think that there is enough talent in each group to make them good and that's where I'm at with this team.
I think we get a little carried away with anointing a group or a player"elite". I'll sign up for good all day.
 
DKphin said:
Dolphins-DBs-Ken-Blaze-USA-TODAY-Sports.jpg


One of the things that many of the recent championship caliber teams have in common is an outstanding secondary. Whether it be The Legion of Boom in Seattle or No Fly Zone in Denver, we’ve seen a ton of great defensive backfields carry teams to Super Bowls in recent history. It’s way too early to be talking Super Bowl when it comes to the Miami Dolphins, but it looks like they could be putting together one of those types of groups.

https://nflspinzone.com/2018/06/26/miami-dolphins-can-secondary-be-elite-2018/
Click to expand...

ELITE in '18? No. Good in '18, yes. Best talent fans have seen in a while. I doubt they can put it together in one off-season
 
CAN? Yes. WILL? Probably not. I think they will be better.

Health is going to be key. This crew is YOUNG with the exception of Reshad Jones.

Fitzpatrick 21
Howard 24
McCain 24
Tankersley 24
Lippett 25
Aikens 27
McDonald 27
Jones 30

The more they play together, the better they're going to get.
 
In 2018? No, Last year we were 16th against the pass and I could see us maybe jumping into the top 10 but to be elite we'd have to jump into the top 3 which I just don't see.

Also this D-line might hinder the secondary, and lastly to be have an elite secondary commonly you need at least 2 elite players in the secondary which we don't have. I know people are high on Howard but half a season of great play does not an elite player make, plus there's no other player to join him in the elite category for the 2018 season.

But if Howard plays like he did last year for an entire season and continues to get better and Fitzapatrick becomes the player we all think he will be and the d-line can at least be middle of the pack instead of 26th in sacks than I believe we have the making of an elite secondary.
 
On paper, it sure looks like they might be very good eventually, and the addition of a Minkah Fitzpatrick helps a lot, but as many have said, this is not going to happen within one year.

First they need to stay healthy, and learn what to expect from each other, then consider how young the secondary will be, they will need to mature quickly together...both because of injuries, have hurt the maturing process to the players, but the potential is there.
 
Elite is a stretch. They were middle of the road in yards allowed last year, but among the worst in tds allowed, y/a, and int. Just to get to very good Howard needs to put together a whole season like he did in the 2nd half. Tj and Jones need to find chemistry. Minkah needs to defy the rookie learning curve and play earn DROY. Last but certainly not least our #2 CB needs to take a giant leap forward. It doesn’t matter if it is Tony or Tank, but drastic improvement is needed.

The secondary needs some help they can’t fully control. First is penalties on defense need to flip. Our d was was the 2nd most penalized group in the NFL. This crushes CBs and DEs. Our Dline need to get pressure and sacks. You saw a different secondary last vs the Pats on Monday night. The reason for the success is Brady was under constant pressure. Last that needs to change for our secondary to improve is our offense needs to hold the football. We were 22nd in the nfl in TOP in 2017. For our defense to jump to the next level we need our offense to move up 10 spots in that stat.
 
I would not be surprised if it happened THIS YEAR because I think Minkah is just that good and his impact will be profound in year one. Having said that, I also will not be disappointed if they take this first year to show steady improvement throughout the year to rise 5-6 ranks higher than last year.

The only hindrance to maximizing the defense's capabilities is Matt Burke. Does he have the football IQ to use the tools he has? We will find out this year.
 
It looks like it could be a strength for sure. I love how Howard came on down the stretch for Miami. He has a chance to be one of the top corners. Opposite him Tankersley held his own as a rookie and Lippett has continued to improve, displaying excellent ball skills. I was ecstatic when the Dolphins drafted Fitzpatrick and of course there is Jones, McDonald and McCain in the secondary as well.

I think to get to elite, Howard has to play like he did at the end of last season and either Tankersley or Lippett need to take their game to the next level.
 
No secondary can be elite without a good and consistent pass rush. If we can have a good pass rush up front then it'd help the young secondary a lot but I'm not sure we can have that big pass rush I'm talking about. As much as I like Wake he was not consistent last year and Harris had 2 sacks as a rookie. I have high hopes for Quinn but we'll need more. The DT's need to help out too. Time will tell.
 
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