Tag: Brandon Jones

Grading the Dolphins safeties after their 2023 season

A look at Miami’s safeties, and the year they had in 2023.

The Miami Dolphins finished their 2023 campaign with an 11-6 record and made the postseason for the second time in as many years under head coach Mike McDaniel. Unfortunately, it came to an end with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild-card round.

While other teams are in the midst of their playoff run, it’s time to do some reflecting on the team in South Florida.

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be reviewing and evaluating different positions for the Dolphins in 2023. Today, we’ll look at the safeties.

Ranking the 10 most important Dolphins free agents they should re-sign

10 pending free agents the Dolphins should consider bringing back.

The Miami Dolphins have 29 players on their current roster who are going to be free agents in 2024. Many of the pending free agents played major roles in the regular season and wild-card game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

With the season ending in major disappointment, general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel must look ahead to what the near future holds for the aqua and orange. The team has already been in the news with the departure of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

The new NFL calendar begins with free agency opening on March 13. This is a free agency that will contain massive decisions for the Dolphins on offense, defense and special teams.

Here are the top 10 most important pending free agents that the Dolphins should consider re-signing.

News and notes from Dolphins 30-0 shutout win over the Jets

Notes from Miami’s 10th victory.

The Miami Dolphins rebounded after a Monday Night Meltdown last week and delivered the New York Jets a 30-0 shutout at Hard Rock Stadium.

The game featured a masterful defensive performance by Bradley Chubb, who was a polarizing player this week based on last Monday night’s mental error against the Tennessee Titans.

The last time that the Dolphins shut out a team was in 2020, and, coincidentally, that was also against the Jets. They’ve now swept the Jets for the 20th time in their all-time series. This is also the eighth occurrence in team history that Miami has swept the Jets and New England Patriots in the same season

The Dolphins are now 10-4 for the first time since 2000, and this is the third time since 2010 they’ve won double-digit games, adding to 2016 and 2020. Miami has won eight consecutive home games against the Jets.

Their 30-point margin of victory against New York on Sunday is the third time this season that Miami has won by at least 30 points. It’s only the second time in franchise history that they’ve posted three 30-plus-point wins in the same season and the first since 1971.

Studs and duds from Dolphins commanding victory over Jets

Who deserves credit, and who deserves criticism for their performances?

The Miami Dolphins earned their 10th victory of the season on Sunday, as they defeated the New York Jets 30-0 at Hard Rock Stadium.

Mike McDaniel’s team controlled the game on both sides of the ball from the opening kickoff and never looked back. They found the end zone three times and nailed three field goals, as they punted just four times (one was the final drive which included kneeldowns by Mike White).

As we do after every game, let’s take a look at some of those who deserve credit and some who deserve criticism. for their performances against the Jets.

Mike McDaniel provides updates on a slew of injured Dolphins

Miami’s HC updated the media and fans on a number of injured Dolphins.

The Miami Dolphins have had some tough injury luck in recent weeks, and that didn’t stop during their Week 14 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium.

Mike McDaniel’s team lost a number of key players to injuries at different points in the contest, and while some made their way back onto the field, others were unable to return.

On Tuesday, McDaniel spoke to the media and provided many updates on his injured players.

Here’s what he had to say:

Dolphins CB Xavien Howard suffers injury on first drive vs. Titans

Miami loses a CB just three defensive plays into the game.

The Miami Dolphins have had a lot of injuries on the defensive side of the ball in recent weeks, and the Week 14 matchup with the Tennessee Titans brought more of the same.

Just three defensive snaps into the game, cornerback Xavien Howard collided with safety Brandon Jones on an incomplete pass that resulted in the cornerback staying on the ground.

Favoring his hip, Howard eventually walked off of the field under his own power and went right to the blue medical tent.

It’s unclear if Howard will return to action at this time.

UPDATE: Howard returned on the next drive.

Dolphins LB Jerome Baker leaves with injury vs. Commanders

Miami loses their top linebacker.

On the Miami Dolphins first defensive possession of the second quarter against the Washington Commanders, linebacker Jerome Baker was tasked to cover wide receiver Curtis Samuel one-on-one.

Quarterback Sam Howell found Samuel for a big catch-and-run before safety Brandon Jones came over to hit the wideout out of bounds.

Unfortunately, Jones also hit Baker, who needed to be helped off of the field. He appeared to be unable to put any pressure on his left leg.

In his play, the Dolphins put Duke Riley in at inside linebacker.

UPDATE: Baker has been ruled out by the team with a knee injury.

Dolphins safety Brandon Jones has cleared concussion protocol

Miami’s secondary continues to get healthier.

The Miami Dolphins have a chance to have a fully healthy secondary for their Week 11 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders this week.

That’s because, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, safety Brandon Jones has officially cleared the league’s concussion protocol after a hit from New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on a play that nearly resulted in a Jones interception

Jones missed the following contest against the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany, and the Dolphins were off in Week 10, meaning the safety had plenty of time to rest and recover.

Now, he has a chance to rejoin a secondary that includes Jevon Holland, DeShon Elliott, Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey for Sunday. This would be the first time that all five are able to play together.

Dolphins S Brandon Jones OUT Sunday vs. Chiefs

Miami will be without their third safety.

Last week, Miami Dolphins safety Brandon Jones was thrust back into the starting lineup with Jevon Holland in concussion protocol.

Unfortunately for Jones, he was placed in the same protocol following the game, after he was delivered a blow by New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on a ball that he was attempting to intercept.

Heading into this week against the Kansas City Chiefs, head coach Mike McDaniel revealed that Jones didn’t travel to Germany for the week of practice, but it was a slight possibility that he could fly later on.

On Friday, McDaniel revealed that Jones remained in South Florida and wouldn’t be playing on Sunday against the Chiefs.

Holland and DeShon Elliott will likely be Miami’s starters at safety. They also have Elijah Campbell and Nik Needham who could support as the third player at the position on defense when needed.

It looks like the Dolphins will have to wait at least one more week before they have their full defense back healthy.

Dolphins S Brandon Jones in concussion protocol, didn’t travel to Germany

The safety took a big hit from Patriots WR JuJu Smith-Schuster on Sunday.

While the Miami Dolphins received some good news this week with safety Jevon Holland clearing concussion protocol, they also received some not-so-great news as well.

On Tuesday, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel announced that safety Brandon Jones entered concussion protocol himself and didn’t travel with the team to Germany.

Jones took a big hit at the end of last week’s game against the New England Patriots, as he tried to intercept quarterback Mac Jones but was slammed down by wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

McDaniel didn’t rule Jones out completely for Sunday, but he’d have to clear and fly out rather quickly for him to be available.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins got Holland back, and DeShon Elliott has looked solid as the second safety. Miami could also use Nik Needham, who recently returned from injured reserve, in a safety role if necessary.