No Dolphins defender was better the first three weeks of training camp than linebacker Willie Gay Jr. And yet he has played only three snaps, in two games, on the NFL’s 31st-ranked defense.
When Gay was on the field for those three snaps on Sunday against the Patriots, he had one tackle and another tackle for loss, playing what he described as the nickel role.
Gay backs up Jordyn Brooks, and the Dolphins like to play Brooks on every play.
But would the Dolphins consider using Gay at times in place of Tyrel Dodson, the other starting inside linebacker?
No, coordinator Anthony Weaver said Tuesday.
“I think Dodson is doing a good job,” Weaver said. “No reason to have that conversation.”
When asked if he can play Dodson’s linebacker spot, Gay said he could - while making clear he’s not suggesting that he should replace Dodson or share snaps with him.
Replacing Dodson with Gay, at times, could be complicated because Dodson is Miami’s “green-dot” player, serving as the quarterback of the defense.
The role is called the “green-dot” because that player (a quarterback on offense, and one chosen defender on defense) has a communication system that allows their coordinators, or in some cases the head coach, to speak directly into their helmets, providing instruction before the snap. It’s called the “green dot” because their helmets have a green dot, and teams are only allowed one on the field at a time.
Gay said he did not wear the green dot during preseason or training camp but has done it in the past.
“It wouldn’t be hard at all,” he said, adding it would entail “taking some reps and getting my feet wet at the position, It’s still just linebacker. It’s an instinctual position. I definitely can do that.”
Among 73 inside linebackers, Pro Football Focus rates Brooks 20th and Dodson 35th. Dodson has allowed nine of 10 targets against him to be completed for 81 yards, per PFF.
Weaver reiterated that he must find a way to play Gay more.
“I love Willie and the energy he brings,” Weaver said. “I do need to get Willie on the field. We have to find multiple ways to use him. It’s hard to get everybody on the field.”
Gay said he’s well suited to a pseudo-nickel role if the team uses him that way at times, as they did Sunday.
“I’m not the type to pat myself on the back, but I can do anything,” he said. “I can cover the flats. I can drop. I can go Tampa [2 defense] look. I can blitz from the edge or up the middle. I can play the run. I’m fortunate to be able to do those things. My skill set fits that position pretty well.”
This and that
Everyone on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster was spotted during the media viewing of Tuesday’s practice except cornerback Storm Duck (ankle) and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (calf).
Tight end Darren Waller (hip) did stretching; WSVN-7 said he’s unlikely to play Thursday. Linebacker Chop Robinson (knee) was riding a stationary bicycle but has said he will be fine for Thursday’s game at Buffalo (8:20 p.m., CBS-4 and Amazon Prime).
Running back Jaylen Wright (knee) seemed to be intensifying his work, and Mike McDaniel sounded hopeful he would be available Thursday.
▪ If Melifonwu is ruled out for Thursday, both Dante Trader Jr. and Ashtyn Davis will get a “healthy dose” of snaps opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick, Weaver said.
“I love both of those guys,” Weaver said. “Ashtyn is outstanding with communication in the back end; before the injury, he was on the brink of being named a starter for us. Great instincts; can find the ball. Trader is really athletic; he’s constantly studying and working at his craft.”
▪ Weaver, on defensive lineman Zach Sieler, whose impact in the first two games hasn’t been close to last season’s impact:
“He’s out there playing with a bunch of new people. There’s no Christian Wilkins, no 16-year veteran in Calais Campbell. He’s nurturing some young bucks. Zach is doing everything you want him to do. He’s probably putting a little too much on his plate, which might be slowing him down a little bit. We have to alleviate that a little bit.”
▪ Weaver, on rookie defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who replaced the injured Benito Jones against New England: “I love where Jordan is at. He’s incredibly strong, an immovable force in the run game. As him and Kenneth Grant both mature, they are going to be dominant interior players in this league.”
Jones’ status for Thursday is undetermined, McDaniel said.
▪ After Weaver’s wife told him to ”hang in there” on Monday morning, Weaver told her “the time for grieving was yesterday. Today’s for fighting. It’s time to fight back.”
The Dolphins are 31st in points allowed per game and 26th in yards allowed per game.
Here’s my Wednesday piece on how the Dolphins’ defense has unraveled, and other notes.