Special Teams We have added some great Special Teams players in Free Agency, and also added to our ST strength by bringing in new starters that will push some of our former starters into Special Teams duties. I am very excited about these additions. Big hitters, Smart football players, and hustlers in this group and they will transform the Miami Dolphins into one of the best Special Teams units in the NFL this season - Guaranteed.
I understand why he left, but damn, I sure wish Rizzi was still coaching our special teams unit. Not saying Crossman is horrible. He did design some pretty cool trick plays last year, and Flores didn't replace him this year. However, I still think Rizzi is considered a better all-around special teams coach. That said, I am hoping Crossman leads a kick-butt unit this year. I am really excited that they are taking it seriously and giving him some guys to work with.
Players were making some really bonehead moves while Rizzi was the coach, over multiple years, that stopped last season. I absolutely do not want guys on ST to be taking big risks and trying to make plays happen, and I'm glad that it all got tightened up last year. Rizzi obviously had a reputation for finding and developing kickers and punters, but his coverage and return units were too loose.
We have a team of hard-hitting, high motor guys now... The level of depth and talent on special teams will make the coaches jobs of looking like geniuses a lot easier.
I agree. Our STs added some excellent players. But I think we've improved in several areas. IMO we've added two OL starters. They aren't big names or instant all-pros or anything but they're at least good. That by itself is a huge upgrade. There's obviously more work to do, but the OL is also obviously better. Our secondary is clearly better with Jones and better depth at S. We'll see if anything happens with Howard, but at the moment that unit is much better. And our front 7, particularly in terms of run defense, is much better. KVN and Lawson greatly improve our ability to set the edge, not to mention I see better depth there. There's also some improvement in our pass rush as KVN was very efficient in that respect, but our improvement in pass defense will be more of a product of better coverage and better situations as teams may be forced to pass more out of less favorable situations. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of FA and the draft play out.
I wont be shocked if we draft a CB high and move X, but I hope we don't if his health is improving. He had a long time to rest / rehab so he should be good to go this season. I'm very excited about our potential Secondary. Also - X just got a HUGE contract. We may not be able to move him.