‘He’s earned that right’ — Expect to start seeing more of another one of Dolphins’ defensive young guns in Week 2 and beyond
Keep an eye out for another one of Miami’s young bucks to seize more playing time sooner rather than later.
The Miami Dolphins‘ defense is looking to make a different impact on the team’s Week 2 contest against the New England Patriots. Week 1 was not a good time for anyone in Miami, and seven possessions leading to seven scores for the Indianapolis Colts has given everyone a sour taste about the team’s outlook after the season opener.
Perhaps home cooking is just what the doctor ordered. Something else that might help? Miami following through on a promise from defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver on Thursday that he needed to get another one of Miami’s rookies on the field. We saw plenty of Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, and Jason Marshall on defense in Week 1.
Add safety Dante Trader Jr. to the pile. Weaver has big expectations.
Rookie safety Dante Trader Jr. gets a major vote of confidence amid coverage struggles in Week 1
“Trader had a good week of practice,” said Weaver. “We were a little bit nervous just because of the injuries he’s had since he’s been here and exposing him too much. We didn’t want to risk any further injury, but when he went out there, he did some good things, so we’ll continue to get him in the game because he’s earned that right. It’s funny because he hasn’t practiced a ton, but he’s a guy who’s been in the building and has been working at his craft regardless of time on the field, so there’s a lot of confidence in his ability to go out there and communicate with us.”
What does Weaver like the best about his young safety?
“Elite instincts,” Weaver added. “Very good quicks and he takes direct angles to the ball…I think he has an incredibly bright future. He’s one of those guys eventually you’re going to talk about being a coach on the field because he just puts so much time into his craft, so really excited about his trajectory.”
In the same media session, it was notable that Weaver helped explain one coverage breakdown that led to an explosive play. He indirectly laid the blame at the feet of one of Miami’s starting safeties, Ifeatu Melifonwu. Weaver did not mention Melifonwu by name, but he disclosed that the safety in Miami’s “Tampa-2” coverage did not properly space two vertical routes, which allowed Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman to get up the sideline for a score.
Melifonwu, interestingly enough, played 49 snaps on defense in Week 1. Thirty-seven of those snaps came in the first half, followed by six snaps apiece in the third and fourth quarters. The movement appears to have already begun.
Trader Jr. was a player who got votes of confidence throughout August, even when he was not playing, so this does not appear to be lip service while reacting to Week 1. Weaver’s had eyes for Trader Jr. for quite some time. And the right to be on the field is already considered earned.
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