Miami Dolphins football is back… for better or worse.
On Sunday, our beloved South Florida franchise was dominated by a Kirk Cousins led Las Vegas Raiders team. The first game of the Jeff Hafley era didn’t go according to plan, but that doesn’t mean it was a meaningless affair. This season will be all about learning and growing as an organization — for both the players and the coaching staff.
Each week, we’ll pick one “Fins Up” individual of the week to indicate someone whose play is trending upwards, and one “Fins Down” individual who is moving in the opposite direction and needs to improve if the team is going to find success.
Week One’s “Fins Up” player is rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez — the only rookie defender wearing the green dot allowing him to have a direct line of communication with the coaches. To be given that distinction in your first NFL game is already something to be proud of, but his play on Sunday was also a bright spot in an otherwise relatively poor defensive performance by Miami.
Rodriguez had 14 total tackles — second only to Anthony Hill Jr. of the Tennessee Titans in Week One. He also allowed just 7 receiving yards while being targeted three times in coverage.
Miami’s rookie linebacker will look to build on his positive Week One performance next Sunday when the Dolphins clash with the San Francisco 49ers.
Week One’s “Fins Down” individual is special teams coordinator Chris Tabor. His unit was responsible for multiple long kickoff returns, which allowed a Raiders’ offense without stud tight end Brock Bowers to face short fields on numerous occasions. As a result, Miami’s mishmash defense couldn’t hold and Las Vegas scored 27 points against the Dolphins on Sunday.
Tabor is a respected veteran coordinator in the NFL, so hopefully Miami’s Week One performance in that department is an anomaly that will be soon forgotten as the season rolls on. However, if the unit continues to struggle, Jeff Hafley may be forced to make a tough decision regarding Tabor’s job status earlier than anyone would have hoped.
See More: