New Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Sean Duggan will work directly with head coach Jeff Hafley, and he broke down how the defense is set to operate.
With Jeff Hafley now installed as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, he has been busy putting together his coaching staff. One of the last additions was former Green Bay Packers linebackers coach Sean Duggan.
Duggan has worked with Hafley for eight years, dating back to when he was with the Dolphins head coach at Boston College. Now, with them reunited again after a stint in Green Bay, he broke down how their defense will look together.
Hafley already revealed at his introductory press conference that he plans to call plays. However, Duggan will be his right-hand man on the defensive side of the ball.
During Duggan's introductory press conference, he offered some insight on how the pair will work together to elevate the Dolphins' defense.
"I think not to say the same, but we want to be multiple, we want to fit to the strengths of our players. We want those guys to go out there and play fast, know what they're doing and just go play 100 miles an hour. So I think when you build it like that, the teaching is simple but there's levels to it. There's detail to it. They can go play as fast and as violent as they can. You've got to be multiple in this league and present different looks to the offense or it's going to be potentially a long day," Duggan said.
The Dolphins had a lot of success under Brian Flores, as he utilized what was known as the "amoeba defense." This style utilized the ability to change coverages to throw off offenses.
What Duggan is alluding to is something similar. The multiple defense is one that changes coverages from a 3-4 to 4-3, and not staying stagnant in a base coverage system.
The Dolphins have the ability to do so, with fast players like Jordyn Brooks, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and more.
A major way the team needs to improve is in the pass rush and building the defensive line that can consistently put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Despite being a typical answer, Duggan placed emphasis on building the trenches.
"Yeah, I believe the game always starts up front. I think that's kind of the beauty of football is, it's always been that way ... To me, it starts with stopping the run, staying square, playing your gap. You should be able to see a guy's numbers and his nameplate, taking away space for the offense and then up front when it comes to the pass game, everything works together, right? The d-line has got to get pressure on the quarterback and then we've got to cover in the back end," Duggan said.
Duggan referenced the old ESPN classic, where you could go back and watch games from every era. This could mean that he plans to study tape from what worked previously and implement that in his defensive plans.
Building through the trenches is something that Hafley stated, as well as general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. If the Dolphins can strike in the draft and bolster the defensive line in a big way, the defense will have a shot at being very formidable.
Given the Dolphins' young core talent, Duggan also commented on rising stars defensive tackle Kenneth Grant and linebacker Chop Robinson.
"Both very talented guys. To be honest, I'm still kind of studying, I don't want to answer too much. I think they're both very talented guys. Again, they play hard, have a motor, so I'm really excited to work with both those guys."
If Hafley and Duggan can utilize both Grant and Robinson in the right way, the core of the Dolphins' line and pass rush can see a significant bump.
There are good elements on the defense, but the unit was decimated by injuries to the secondary, and Robinson regressed a bit. With a new set of defensive minds in the building and a dedication to building the trenches, Duggan could be the defensive mind the team has sorely needed.