Tag: Josh Boyer

Dolphins to interview Saints co-defensive coordinator/DB coach Kris Richard for their DC job

He was previously defensive coordinator for the Seahawks.

With the Miami Dolphins in full-on offseason mode, they’re currently working on filling their defensive coordinator role which was left vacant when they fired Josh Boyer after their elimination from the postseason.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins have added a fourth confirmed candidate for the position, as they’ve requested to interview New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Kris Richard.

Richard, 43, is a former player, who spent the 2005 season with Miami. He joined New Orleans’ staff back in 2021. Prior to that, he spent time with the Dallas Cowboys as defensive backs coach and passing-game coordinator (2018-19). His highest position was with the Seattle Seahawks from 2015-17 when he was the defensive coordinator.

Miami has also requested to interview Vic Fangio, Sean Desai and Anthony Campanile for the open position.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwhebtqp7ahdjt player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=457487]

Dolphins to interview Vic Fangio for DC job on Wednesday

He’s the third official candidate.

While the four teams remaining in the NFL postseason are preparing for their win-or-go-home matchups this weekend, the Miami Dolphins have begun interviewing for their open defensive coordinator position after firing Josh Boyer.

Officially, Miami had only set up two interviews for the job, with Seattle Seahawks defensive assistant Sean Desai and Dolphins linebacker coach Anthony Campanile, but now they’ve found a third.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dolphins are interviewing Philadelphia Eagles defensive consultant Vic Fangio on Wednesday.

Fangio, 64, has a long resume coaching defense in the NFL, including five stints as a defensive coordinator since 1995. Most will remember Fangio for his time as the head coach of the Denver Broncos from 2019-21.

The interest isn’t all that surprising, as Miami has been interested in hiring the coach before. During that 2019 offseason, the Dolphins requested to interview him for the head coach role before they decided to hire Brian Flores.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwhebtqp7ahdjt player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=457466]

Dolphins to interview LB coach Anthony Campanile for DC

He’s the second reported candidate.

With only four teams remaining in the NFL playoffs, the Miami Dolphins are among the rest of the league that’s begun their preparations for 2023.

The first move that Miami made was firing defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, along with three members of his staff. While head coach Mike McDaniel and company are trying to find his replacement, they’re looking at an in-house candidate.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins plan to interview linebackers coach Anthony Campanile for the defensive coordinator job.

Campanile, 40, joined Miami back in 2020 in the same role that he currently serves. Prior to making the jump to the NFL, Campanile spent time with Michigan, Boston College and Rutgers in different positions, including co-defensive coordinator for a year.

He joins Seattle Seahawks defensive assistant and assistant head coach Sean Desai, as the only reported candidates at this time.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwhebtqp7ahdjt player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=457428]

Is Vic Fangio the most logical fit to be the next Dolphins DC?

Miami would be wise to find an experienced defensive leader.

The Miami Dolphins fired defensive coordinator Josh Boyer on Thursday after three seasons in the role, leaving a large hole on that side of the coaching staff.

While Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier and company haven’t had any candidates reported, one coach who would make a lot of sense for the role is Vic Fangio.

Fangio, 64, began coaching in the NFL in 1986 when he joined Jim Mora’s New Orleans Saints staff as linebackers coach. Since then, Fangio has served as defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers (1995-98), Indianapolis Colts (1999-2001), Houston Texans (2002-05), San Francisco 49ers (2011-14) and the Chicago Bears (2015-18).

He was also the head coach of the Denver Broncos from 2019-21 before spending this last season as a defensive consultant with the Philadelphia Eagles.

His experience speaks for itself.

During Fangio’s last season as defensive coordinator of the Bears, they were the top scoring unit in the league. This year, with Philadelphia, the defense jumped from 19th in scoring in 2021 to eighth in 2022.

On top of his defensive performances, it’s known that Miami has been interested in Fangio’s services in the past. The Dolphins requested to interview him for their open head coach job in 2019 after firing Adam Gase. They ended up not meeting with him and hired Brian Flores for the job.

Still, the fact that Grier and owner Stephen Ross considered him for the position is notable.

While candidates for the role will likely be announced in the coming days, Fangio seems like one of the best out there. If he can inherit a unit that’s filled with playmakers, he may be able to help Miami take that next step in their evolution.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwhebtqp7ahdjt player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=457405]

Here’s Mike McDaniel’s official statement on Josh Boyer firing

“This decision was not easy…”

The Miami Dolphins announced, on Thursday, that they fired defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, along with positional coaches Steve Gregory, Ty McKenzie and Steve Ferentz.

With the announcement, head coach Mike McDaniel released a statement through the team about the firing.

“I am grateful for Josh’s contributions this year and throughout his tenure with the Dolphins,” McDaniel said. “The defense made strides through the season, so coming to this decision was not easy, but ultimately I feel it is in the best long-term interests of the Miami Dolphins and the continued growth of our players and team.”

Boyer was originally brought to Miami in 2019, joining Brian Flores’ staff. He served as defensive pass-game coordinator and cornerbacks coach in his first season before ascending to defensive coordinator the following season.

It was a bit of a surprise that he was kept on the staff when the Dolphins parted ways with Flores and hired McDaniel, but after a disappointing season from his unit, his firing this offseason was somewhat expected.

[listicle id=457401]

Fans react to Dolphins firing DC Josh Boyer

If you’ve spent a second on Twitter, you probably knew what was coming.

After a season, in which, the Miami Dolphins made the postseason for the first time in six years, the team began making changes to the coaching staff.

On Thursday, Miami announced that they fired defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, a holdover from Brian Flores’ staff, as well as three positional coaches.

Boyer’s unit struggled for most of the season, finishing in the bottom-third of the league in a number of metrics. However, they were also hampered by injuries to key contributors on that side of the ball.

When the news broke, fans of the team took to social media. Here’s how they reacted:

Dolphins DC Josh Boyer, three other coaches fired

He was one of the few hold overs from Brian Flores’ staff.

With the Miami Dolphins being eliminated from the postseason after just one game, head coach Mike McDaniel was expected to consider changes on his coaching staff.

The team announced on Thursday that they’ve parted ways with defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, as well as safeties coach Steve Gregory, outside linebackers coach Ty McKenzie and assistant linebackers coach Steve Ferentz.

Miami’s defense didn’t live up to expectations in 2022 after a great final season under head coach Brian Flores the year prior.

The unit, which was significantly impacted by injuries, finished 24th in points per game, 18th in yards per game, 30th in takeaways, 24th in third-down defense and 23rd red-zone defense.

Miami will now have to spend some time this offseason filling those roles, as well as the hole left by Patrick Surtain, who left to join the Florida State staff.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwhebtqp7ahdjt player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=457383]

What’s next for the Miami Dolphins after elimination?

Miami may look to make changes on the field and on the coaching staff.

As the eight remaining playoff teams get set for their weekend matchups, the Miami Dolphins front office and brain trust start their preparation for the 2023 season.

Following last Sunday’s playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, head coach Mike McDaniel enters his first offseason process in ending a season and assessing players along with the people he hired or inherited on his staff.

This will be the first time in his career and, of course, with Miami, that McDaniel will work with the powers that be following a head-coaching performance and renovate the roster and staff while building at the same time.

On the player end of things, 31 Dolphins from this season will enter free agency. Of the big names in this group, tight end Mike Gesicki will likely have a number of suitors who’ll utilize him to the maximum of his ability and skill set. After posting a heartfelt message on social media, Gesicki, in a vague way, that while he loves Miami and is appreciative of the Dolphins, it appears the honeymoon is over.

Backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is also a free agent, and it’s not expected that he’ll be back in Miami Gardens next season following a year of injuries and underperformance. Staying on the offensive side of the ball, every single running back who recorded a carry for Miami in 2022, is now a free agent.

Raheem Mostert, Salvon Ahmed, Myles Gaskin and in-season addition Jeff Wilson, Jr. could all be on different teams next season, but it’s too early to speculate. With a loaded free agent running back class, the Dolphins could focus there, however, paying top dollar for a runner isn’t something that Chris Grier has proven to be in the market for in his tenure.

McDaniel brought a pair of San Fransisco wide receivers with him to Miami, River Cracraft and Trent Sherfield, and now they’re both free agents.

Defensively, the Dolphins have decisions to make regarding the homegrown talents of linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and cornerback Nik Needham. Van Ginkel, a 2019 fifth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin is a valuable two-unit player for Miami, excelling on special teams and, more importantly, in the outside linebacker rotation for the Dolphins in a loaded room.

Needham was undrafted in that same year of 2019, and although initially cut, the Dolphins rewarded him a practice squad spot followed by an in-season promotion. Through trials by fire and social media, Needham worked to become a fixture in the Dolphins lineup as a second-year player in 2020, and, in 2021, he was one of the NFL’s top slot cornerbacks.

Needham suffered an Achilles injury in Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings, and although a free agent now, and rehabbing ahead of schedule. He even told reporters that Miami has communicated that they have plans for him and are interested in bringing him back.

Both will have suitors beyond the Dolphins, as Needham was recently signed by Athletes First, a top-tier agency representing a long list of NFL talent. Van Ginkel is also being courted by heavy-hitting representation, so these are situations to track this offseason.

Veteran defenders such as captain Elandon Roberts, Melvin Ingram, Eric Rowe and Duke Riley enter free agency, so that makes four free-agent linebackers who saw significant snaps in 2022. You can add in a fifth in Sam Eguavoen as well.

The Dolphins inked punter Thomas Morstead to a one-year deal last offseason. He had a fine year on the field and became a fan favorite off of it. Miami would be wise to throw another one-year deal his way with his work ethic and leadership.

There are a number of other veteran free agents Miami has decisions to make on, as well as coaching. McDaniel brought in his offensive coaching staff upon being hired in Miami, but essentially inherited the defensive crew, led by coordinator Josh Boyer.

Boyer was originally hired by former head coach Brian Flores. While last season had a bit of controversy as to who exactly was running the show on defense regarding play-calling, Boyer was retained last offseason despite the firing of Flores.

UPDATE: Boyer was fired on Thursday, along with three members of his staff.

This season, a talented Dolphins defense was underwhelming through the course of the season but did sustain a slew of significant injuries to key players. Emmanuel Ogbah, Brandon Jones, Needham and not to mention the Byron Jones saga, all led to Boyer playing with a limited deck.

Miami finished 2022 18th in total defense and 24th in scoring defense. The main issue was on third downs, as they were tied for the NFL’s 24th-ranked unit here, and, many times throughout the season, it was key conversions that plagued the Dolphins.

At the moment, it’s not confirmed one way or another if Boyer will be retained, and another coach where the speculation is flying is special teams coordinator Danny Crossman. The Dolphins ranked near the bottom of the league in special teams categories.

Now that 24 teams are looking to 2023, the coaching carousel is underway, but the timetables will be anybody’s guess on what, when, who and how this will play out from a staffing side.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwhebtqp7ahdjt player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=457337]

Josh Boyer discusses controversial third-and-goal vs. Chargers

He understands the frustration.

The Miami Dolphins were down by just three points heading into the final four minutes of the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers before Justin Herbert and company went 90 yards in 13 plays to put them up by 10.

On that drive, Miami’s defense had their opponents in a third-and-goal from the 17-yard line – an advantageous situation to force a field goal or a long fourth-down attempt.

Instead of playing a normal defensive look, defensive coordinator Josh Boyer opted to put a majority of his players around the goal line, essentially allowing for plays to be completed underneath. The Chargers did exactly that, as Herbert hit Austin Ekeler, who then ran 16 yards, setting up a fourth down from a yard out.

Head coach Brandon Staley, being the gambling man that he is, went for it, resulting in a rushing touchdown for Ekeler.

Throughout the week, Boyer has had that play call questioned by fans and analysts alike, so when he was given the opportunity to speak on the decision, he took it.

“Yeah, so there was a timeout on that play and look, let’s start with every play call of every game, I would say that there’s nobody more critical of it than myself,” Boyer said. “Like I would say the first play of the second series, I wasn’t very happy with that play call, but nobody that’s watching the game is going to think much of that call one way or the other.

“But to reference the third-and-17, yeah, I definitely think that I probably could have put the guys in a better situation than that. It was third-and-17, I didn’t want to give them a one-on-one shot into the end zone. That was kind of the thought process. We had a personnel grouping out there before that probably would have been a better call. Similar concept, but probably would have been better call. The timeout, I probably overthought it a little bit and obviously you’d like all your calls to work. I’m fine with the thought process. I wish I would have put them in a little bit better situation on that, but at the end of the day, we still had an opportunity to come off the field with no points because there was a play after that.”

A swing of four-to-seven points in the second quarter could’ve made a huge difference in the contest.

That play call is about knowing the opponent. Ekeler has been one of the best receiving backs in the league, and Staley is a risk-taker. It shouldn’t have been unimaginable that they would settle for picking up yards and making it a four-down possession. That mistake isn’t something that can happen again down the stretch.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwhebtqp7ahdjt player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=456178]

Stats, news and notes from Dolphins’ 31-27 win over Lions

A few things to note following another victory.

The Miami Dolphins leave Detroit with a 31-27 victory over the Lions and get to 5-3. While the game started out with the Dolphins down 14-0, the offense and defense made the necessary adjustments.

Credit to Mike McDaniel and defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, who must’ve had productive halftime speeches, as the defense didn’t give up a single point in the second half and allowed a mere 67 total yards of Lions offense.

Offensively, Tua Tagovailoa had the highest-rated passing game of his career (138.7 passer rating). Additionally, Tagovailoa now has at least a 90 passer rating in each of the five games that he’s started and finished this season.

This is tied for their best eight-game start in the past decade, as Miami started the 2014 and 2020 seasons 5-3 as well. McDaniel’s start is the second-best by a new coach in team history. Only Dave Wannstedt, who started his tenure in 2000 at 6-2, had a better record after eight games.

Here are a few stats, news and notes from the Dolphins’ Week 8 victory: