With just one sack over three games -- their lowest total to start the year since 1993 -- the 'Fins have done little with a unit headlined by defensive terror Ndamukong Suh, cover man Brent Grimes and pass rusher Cameron Wake.
"No. I couldn't imagine that," defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said Monday of the ugly start, per ESPN.com. "But that's the reality of what it is and that's my job. I take responsibility for that. It's on my shoulders. It's my job to make sure we are playing winning defense and I've got to get that done. I'm disappointed, but I'm mostly disappointed in myself."
Rewatching the Miami-Buffalo game, one immediate impression is the poor tackling. The Dolphins played soft, allowing Bills tight end and former teammate Charles Clay to shake and bake through the secondary for 58 yards and a touchdown off three catches on the opening drive. Check this out:
"I don't think we've shown our identity yet to be quite honest with you," Coyle said. "We've been playing on our heels a little bit throughout the past three games. We haven't just been able to go out and attack. I think that's something that we need to address as we move forward. Eliminate the thinking and just let guys to just go out there and play football. Hopefully that will show what our guys are capable of doing as we move forward."
It start with Suh, who has yet to register a sack or quarterback hit through three games amid whispers he was "freelancing" inside the scheme. Inked to a six-year, $114 million deal and already frustrated, Suh suggested last week that Miami needs to "go back to the drawing board" to set players free.
Coyle is part of a coaching staff that was already under fire going into the season. If he can't turn his star-studded defense around in a hurry, someone else will get the chance.
