One of the Dolphins calling cards in 2024 was the ability to generate pressure from all over the defensive formation. That's how the scheme functions, but it was also done out of necessity. The absence of two of the game's best edge rushers in outside linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb called for more creativity to get after the opposing quarterback.
Phillips and Chubb are back for 2025, and the reinforcements surrounding them are creating challenging looks for the Dolphins quarterbacks. Linebacker Willie Gay Jr.'s play is impossible to miss through nine practices. He added another sack and an interception returned for a touchdown Saturday. He caught a deflected Zach Wilson pass and raced into the end zone.
Gay Jr. is just one of the many rushers benefitting from the big bodies Miami features up front. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick routinely disrupts the passing game in practice, both in coverage and playing downhill. Practice becomes a game of "I spy No. 29," as the five-time All Pro does a little bit of everything each day.
Fitzpatrick often joins Phillips, Chubb and outside linebacker Chop Robinson for hand-fighting drills. The do-it-all safety wants to keep his game polished in all areas.
"In college I played every single position on the back end, including linebacker sometimes and that involves taking on a guard or a tackle in the box," Fitzpatrick said. "Sometimes that means I'm rushing off the edge and I got to work against a tackle. I'm not doing those things every single play or every day. But when I'm called to do those things, I want to be able to do them at a high level and not have the excuse of, 'Oh, I'm a DB, I shouldn't win this rep.' Everything I do, I want to do at a high level, so whether it's five minutes every day working with some elite edge rushers, I'm going to do that."
Fitzpatrick, Gay and cornerbacks Ethan Bonner and Kendall Sheffield got after the quarterback Saturday, along with the usual suspects. Robinson and fellow outside linebacker Grayson Murphy took turns collapsing the pocket while defensive tackles Kenneth Grant and Zach Sieler did their thing inside.
It was all part of a practice in which Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver presented different looks, with various blitzes and rushes, to keep the Miami quarterbacks thinking. Throwing an offense off their timing is vital to defensive success in 2025.
"I think it's the fact that (Weaver) sends pressure in so many different forms," Fitzpatrick said. "Some places they send two or three of the same guys, here it could be literally anybody, and it all comes from a similar look. I think when offenses are lining up and they see us, they know that it could come from any direction. I think that gives them a little bit of angst and has them play a little bit more on their heels."
Weaver's defense is playing fast, aggressive and on a string two weeks into camp, a promising development for the upcoming season. But it wasn't all defensive wins on this muggy Miami morning.
Running back Alexander Mattison is making of habit of hitting the explosive play. He found space behind a block of tight end Pharoah Brown for a run of 45 yards. The rest of the room, Ollie Gordon II, De'Von Achane, and Jaylen Wright all found space behind blocks from the offensive line on the perimeter. James Daniels, Aaron Brewer, Larry Borom and Ryan Hayes each caught defenders in the open field for big gains.
The best play of the day, however, was a passing play that featured eye-popping blocks down the field. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa quickly got the ball to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle for a 25-yard touchdown catch and run. All 25 yards came after the catch as Wadle coasted to paydirt untouched.
Offensive linemen Patrick Paul and Jonah Savaiinaea provided the escort for Waddle hitting blocks 20 yards down the field.
"Honestly it was just fun," Paul said. "Getting out in space, working on the timing of it but then once you're out there and the play goes you're just trying to take anything out. Clear the path, clear the way and then it was all touchdown, so can't complain."
"(Pat's) having a tremendous camp," Waddle said. "So any time I've got a big guy like that in front of me it definitely slows down defenders and just getting behind him as a shield, go out there and make a play."
The Dolphins are back at it Sunday for the 10th practice of camp. For a quick training camp guide, check the link below.
For more coverage from Dolphins camp, download the Drive Time Podcast with Travis Wingfield, available wherever you get your podcasts.
