Rookie Jonah Savaiinaea Faces Crucial Test Against Patriots
With injuries mounting on the right side of the offensive line, the Miami Dolphins are counting on rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea to rise to the occasion as they prepare to take on the New England Patriots.
Increased Pressure on the Young Guard
Jonah Savaiinaea, drafted in the second round this year, has been under scrutiny since the start of the season. The Dolphins’ decision to trade up for him underscored their desire to address long-standing issues at guard. Following his debut performance in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts, Savaiinaea’s role becomes even more critical as the team enters a divisional matchup against New England.
Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith acknowledged the challenges faced by rookies, particularly in away games. “There are some really good things that we saw in the run game, pass protection as well,” Smith remarked, emphasizing Savaiinaea’s potential. “When you’re a rookie on the road, it’s always the most challenging time. There are a lot of things that we’re seeing that I think carry over from training camp, the physicality, him and Brew (Aaron Brewer), you can see they’re building that rapport.”
Home Field Advantage and Increased Expectations
This week, Savaiinaea will benefit from the familiar environment of Hard Rock Stadium, where he can focus on his performance without the added stress of crowd noise. This home game presents a unique opportunity for the rookie to further establish himself, especially with the Dolphins’ left side of the line expected to play a pivotal role against the Patriots.
The matchup carries additional significance for Savaiinaea, who was reportedly targeted by New England before Miami selected him. The Patriots ultimately drafted left tackle Will Campbell in the first round and center Jared Wilson in the third, filling positions that Savaiinaea could have occupied had he landed in New England.
Shifting Dynamics of the Offensive Line
With James Daniels now on injured reserve and Austin Jackson likely sidelined, Miami is preparing to field two backup players on the right side of the line. This situation necessitates a stronger reliance on the left side, where Savaiinaea and left tackle Patrick Paul will need to anchor the offense, particularly in the running game.
Paul was a standout performer against the Colts, while Savaiinaea showed flashes of potential despite some rookie errors. Smith pointed out that communication issues can plague young offensive linemen, noting a key play where Savaiinaea allowed a Colts defensive end through the B-gap unblocked, leading to a tackle for loss. “It’s the type of mistake you’d expect from a rookie in his first start,” Smith acknowledged. However, Savaiinaea’s overall tape suggests he possesses the skills necessary to succeed at this level.
A Focus on the Running Game
The Dolphins drafted Savaiinaea with the intention of diversifying their running attack. As Smith strategizes for the upcoming game, he recognizes the need to balance various running schemes. “It’s a balancing act of what you want to get done, and that’s something each week,” he stated. “It’s a little different as far as it lays it more outside zone, inside zone, gap scheme. OK, do we want to hit more play actions off of these things? Whatever it is, that’s the balancing act of how does the overall run plan fit into the overall attack of the defense?”
Evaluating Miami’s running performance against the Colts presents challenges, as De’Von Achane led the team with only seven carries, averaging 7.9 yards per carry. The absence of Jackson, last season’s top run blocker, and Daniels, the most experienced lineman, raises concerns about the effectiveness of backups Kion Smith and Larry Borom.
Given these circumstances, all eyes will be on Savaiinaea and Paul as they navigate this critical matchup. The outcome will provide insight into Savaiinaea’s capabilities and the Dolphins’ offensive potential moving forward.
