Dolphins' Vic Fangio made a big mistake with handling of Stefon Diggs
Sometimes change is good. It sure would have been for the Dolphins on Sunday. WR Stefon Diggs had a massive day in the Bills 48-20 romp over the Miami Dolphins. The speedy wideout had 6 catches for 120 yards and 3 touchdowns. Diggs' big day came at the expense of Miami CB Kader Kohou, who […]
Sometimes change is good. It sure would have been for the Dolphins on Sunday.
WR Stefon Diggs had a massive day in the Bills 48-20 romp over the Miami Dolphins. The speedy wideout had 6 catches for 120 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Diggs' big day came at the expense of Miami CB Kader Kohou, who largely drew the responsibility of trying to stay with the elite receiver. It was quickly clear that Kohou was overmatched. On Diggs' second score of the day, he caught a pass ahead of Kohou, who couldn't wrap him up (along with safety Brandon Jones) and saw him break free and sprint to the end zone.
Kohou needed a lifeline on Sunday, and his defensive coordinator Vic Fangio didn't give him one. Xavien Howard should have been called upon to shadow Diggs, but unfortunately that didn't happen. Fangio told the press last week that he didn't really see the Dolphins using a corner to shadow Diggs.
Well, it might be time to re-think that strategy. After the game, Howard talked about his willingness to handle that assignment, and he didn't shy away from it.
Would this move have decided the outcome of the game? No. Miami was bad enough in other areas that putting Howard on Diggs wouldn't have ultimately led Miami to a win. I think that's pretty obvious to say. And it is a "what if" game to some degree as far as how well Howard would have done in that situation.
However, that doesn't mean that shifting Howard to a shadow corner wouldn't have been helpful. Howard is right. They paid him that money to be that type of player, and while he's coming off a relatively forgettable season last year (one which was also hampered by injury), he's still Miami's best corner on the roster until Jalen Ramsey gets back.
The Dolphins have games against the Giants, Panthers, and Patriots coming up, none of which feature the caliber of wide receiver of Diggs' ilk. However, when the Dolphins face the Raiders and Jets with Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson, respectively, the issue might come up again.
If so, hopefully Fangio listens to his star cornerback next time.
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