One of the key additions to the Miami Dolphins this offseason was the signing of former New England Patriots center Ted Karras — who comes to Miami on a one-year “prove it” deal with the Dolphins. And while the prospect of Karras signing with the Dolphins may feel like a logical fit, given the team’s coaching connections to the Patriots, it is anything but. Because the Dolphins turned their offensive coaching staff upside down this winter — booting several former Patriots assistants from the team and replacing them with a more spread out style and approach. That exodus included play caller Chad O’Shea, who took with him his Patriots’ themed offensive attack.
And so for Karras, the signing in Miami was more than just a new team — it meant a new system and a new playbook for the first time in his career since entering the NFL with New England back in 2016. Fortunately for Miami, Karras likes a challenge. He embraced the challenge of leaving New England for Miami in hopes of proving himself as a long-term starter and now he’s embracing the challenge of learning a new system — with some new vocabulary.
“I love the new terminology. I think it’s fascinating to just learn another language in football. I’ve relished that opportunity and feel pretty comfortable with it now,” said Karras during his Monday meeting with the South Florida media.
But new terms and phrases for familiar schemes isn’t the only thing that’s put Karras through his paces — the center also acknowledged some subtle differences in how he’s being asked to attack certain techniques and combinations, too.
“As far as technique-wise and nuances, I’m going to do what our coach asks us to do. There are a couple of differences but they’re putting us in positions to succeed,” said Karras.
“There’s a couple of ways to work and I’m excited to get to work every day with (Offensive Line) Coach (Steve) Marshall and ‘Coach Lem’ (Assistant Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre), and these guys in the o-line room.”
With the pads finally on for the Dolphins, Karras and the rest of the offensive line are finally getting the chance to apply every bit of the coaching and instruction they’ve learned over the past several months onto the field. And, specifically for the offensive line, there is no bigger test than the one that lies ahead over the next few weeks as the Dolphins look to decode who makes their starting five. Fortunately for Karras, he likes a challenge. There’s no reason to think the coming weeks would be any exception.