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Five weeks into the 2021 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins are 1-4 and are tied with the New York Jets for third place in the AFC East.
The offense has been struggling with Tua Tagovailoa on the sidelines, various injuries to the wide receiver position, and poor line play. However, the defense is the most disappointing aspect of this football team.
On Monday, defensive coordinator Josh Boyer spoke to the media and was asked if he was surprised that some of the proven veterans haven’t performed to their usual level of success. His answer was telling.
“Well, I think what we’ve put on film is what we are,” Boyer said. “I think it all starts with, for myself, I’ve got to do a better job of coordinating the whole thing to make sure we’re better at run defense, pass defense, pass rush. That’s where I start. [I have] to do a better job of putting guys in position to make plays.”
Boyer’s defense currently ranks 30th in the league in scoring (30.8 points allowed per game), 24th against the run (133.6 yards per game), and 26th against the pass (288.6 yards per game).
Guys like Byron Jones, Xavien Howard, and Jerome Baker haven’t looked like themselves.
Boyer’s nailed it on the head. The team might have players with a great pedigree, but they aren’t playing like it, so they should only be looked at as their current production. That group might not be able to stifle the defending Super Bowl champions, but they should be holding up better than they have been.
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