Dolphins Escape Near Catastrophe Against Saints
The Miami Dolphins experienced a heart-pounding moment last weekend, narrowly avoiding a potential disaster against the New Orleans Saints. After establishing a commanding 16-0 lead by halftime, the Dolphins found themselves in a precarious position as the Saints charged back in the second half, closing the gap to 21-17 with just 1:23 remaining in the game. The outcome hinged on a crucial onside kick recovery that could have sealed the victory for Miami.
Onside Kick Mishap
However, the Dolphins’ hopes were almost dashed when Nick Westbrook-Ikhine failed to secure the onside kick. The ball slipped past him, and in a turn of events that left many bewildered, the Saints managed to recover. A lengthy review by officials resulted in a determination that the ball had grazed Cameron Goode’s leg before traveling the required 10 yards. The review appeared inconclusive to many observers, including FOX rules analyst Dean Blandino, who expressed uncertainty about the ball’s contact with Goode. Yet, this was the explanation provided to the Dolphins.
Coaching Concerns
Craig Aukerman, the Dolphins’ special teams coordinator, addressed the blunder during a press conference, clearly expressing his dissatisfaction with the team’s execution. “First off, we’ve got to be more aggressive in going after the ball,” Aukerman stated. “We have skilled players there to attack it. We called a timeout knowing where the kick would go; we just need to be more aggressive.”
When questioned about Westbrook-Ikhine’s decision to let the ball pass, Aukerman explained that the player deemed the situation too risky. “He felt like it was too hot and decided to let it go. We had another player behind him who thought Nick would go after it. The key coaching point here is not to assume anyone will make the play; we all need to want the ball. That’s crucial, and we’ll coach it better going forward.”
Preparing for Onside Kicks
Given the gravity of the situation, it raises questions about how the Dolphins prepare for onside kicks during the week. This season, the team has adopted a strategy inspired by the Pittsburgh Steelers, known for their effective special teams. “This is a significant emphasis for us,” Aukerman noted. “Minkah Fitzpatrick brought this over from Pittsburgh. We conduct numerous onside kick drills on Fridays and Saturdays for the team. Our specialists, including the long snapper, kicker, and punter, practice various types of onside kicks, and we’ll keep improving.”
Mimicking the Steelers’ approach is a wise move, as their special teams coordinator, Danny Smith, is regarded as one of the best in the league. While Aukerman’s commitment to refining the process is evident, Westbrook-Ikhine’s mistake is particularly frustrating, especially considering his limited contributions this season.
Rethinking the Onside Kick Unit
Miami could consider making changes to the unit after Westbrook-Ikhine’s misstep. However, the players expected to fill his role were already on the field against New Orleans. The unit included NWI, Fitzpatrick, Goode, Cedrick Wilson, Jaylen Waddle, Greg Dulcich, Julian Hill, De’Von Achane, Malik Washington, Dee Eskridge, and Ashtyn Davis. Typically, NWI’s spot is reserved for a larger player intended for blocking, while quicker athletes like Waddle or Achane are positioned for the recovery.
As the Dolphins prepare for future games, it remains to be seen how they will adjust their onside kick strategy. The team is evidently committed to addressing the mistakes made last weekend, seeking to avoid similar pitfalls as the season progresses.
