One of Jeff Hafley’s coaching staff hires is already standing out at Miami Dolphins minicamp for a very unique reason
Miami Dolphins special teams coordinator Chris Tabor is proving himself an impressive hire already this summer.
The Miami Dolphins‘ coaching staff under Jeff Hafley has a blend of former college coaches, young former players, and several long in the tooth veterans.
Hafley’s most experienced hire is special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, who has been coaching on some level since 1993. Tabor most recently held the special teams coordinator gig in Buffalo, and before that had the same role in Carolina. He brings a plethora of experience to his post — while also bringing a very unique perspective on how to make the most of his time as a coach during practices. Reports out of minicamp this week have had Tabor working hands on with defensive backs during defensive periods. And on Thursday, he talked about why.
Miami Dolphins special teams coordinator Chris Tabor’s impressive perspective on maximizing practice
“I want to be around. The other part is I get to be around the guys and in their environment of offense and defense. Plus, I mean, football is football. I might see a skill – the other day one of our corners crack replaced on an inside run, which is the same technique he’d be using on kickoff. Sometimes you might be able to say, hey, what you just did right there, that’s a kickoff play, and it kind of triggers for them and kind of gives them a little muscle memory. So I just want to be around them as much as I can.”
— Miami Dolphins special teams coordinator Chris Tabor
This is a pretty awesome tidbit. Tabor is hunting for chances to impress himself and his unit’s techniques into players at every turn. And, as he says, football is football. Getting a chance to get hands on with his players as often as possible, especially on a roster as young as Miami’s? It not only serves as a scouting opportunity for his players and special teams reps, but it also helps to build up the relationship between Tabor and the players he’ll be pushing throughout the course of the season.
We got a chance to catch a glimpse of Tabor’s coaching style during a recent mic’d up video provided by the franchise. It’s easy to see why Tabor is constantly in demand.
The Tabor hire is one that provides Hafley’s staff with some valuable experience. He’s been an interim head coach before. He’s been a long-time steward of special teams units across the NFL. And, as we’re finding out quickly, he’s dialed in on some of the little things that can both help his connection to his players. And, also steal some extra coaching reps along the way.
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