MIAMI GARDENS — Many believe turnover margin is the greatest indicator — outside of score, obviously — of wins and losses in football.
The Miami Dolphins’ turnovers have been well documented, as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had three in the season-opening loss to the Indianapolis Colts and then key interceptions late in narrow defeats against the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills.
But the other side of that: The Dolphins have forced any turnovers themselves. Zero takeaways in three games.
As Miami (0-3) enters its “Monday Night Football” showdown with the New York Jets (0-3), another team which hasn’t forced a turnover, it’s a key area where the team can alter its fortunes.
“Certainly let them know about that multiple times,” Dolphins secondary coach Brian Duker said Friday. “I made a point of it. Continuing to attack the football, obviously the forced fumble element is a big part of it. Just trying to punch at the ball and create opportunities to take shots on goal. And then the interceptions, it’s more just a matter of good vision, put the quarterback under stressful situations, break and hoping both those things come to life.”
Dolphins defensive backs, before facing Jets quarterback Justin Fields, if he clears concussion protocol, are aware of it and have received the message.
“We got to attack the ball, first of all,” cornerback Jack Jones said. “Punches, rips, swipes at the ball when we get a chance to sack the quarterback.”
Added opposite starting cornerback Rasul Douglas: “The ball. That’s the only thing. Can’t get a turnover without the ball. Got to be more intentional.”
Related Articles
Chris Perkins: Dolphins’ Weaver brings the calm, but he has an intensity the defense also needs
It’s finally time for the Dolphins to debut tight end Darren Waller
Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver sends impassioned message of playing with violence
Dolphins’ Tagovailoa responds to Cam Newton’s harsh criticism, makes stunning admission
Perkins and Furones: How Dolphins win against Jets on Monday night | VIDEO
Jones and Douglas are both capable of jumping routes in coverage. Douglas has 19 career interceptions and Jones seven in his three previous seasons.
And defensive backs have been seen, going back to early in the week, focusing on punching the ball out against ball carriers in drills.
“I think a lot of it is intent,” said safety Ashtyn Davis, who played every defensive snap against Buffalo and now faces his former team in the Jets. “You can take a shot on the ball to take a shot on the ball and get a pat on the back from the coach, or you can take a shot on the ball like you’re trying to get it. I think the goal is to find the air behind the ball; you don’t want to punch it into them, you want to find the air behind it. That’s what we’ve been working on.”
There are many things the Dolphins need to do better. They are last in scoring defense, 31st in third-down defense, 28th in rushing defense, 26th in total defense and 21st defense.
Miami defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver preached for his defense to play with violence with virtually every answer in his Friday news conference after this 0-3 start. It was no different when the topic of takeaways was brought up.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve got to say violence,” Weaver said. “If you want to take anything away from somebody during the game of football, you have to do it with aggression and that’s what we need to do.”
But maybe most indicative of the lack of opportunities to force turnovers is how the defense is rarely putting opposing offenses in compromised positions to force the ball down the field. That No. 28 run defense comes into focus, as Miami has not often put opponents in third-and-long situations to force the ball downfield, which makes them more vulnerable to turnovers.
“We’ve got to stop the run so that we can get the ball in the air a little bit,” Davis said. “Do good on first and second down and then when the ball is in the air, we’ve got to attack it.”
Added Jones: “Our No. 1 problem is we’re kind of making it easy for offenses. … If we don’t make the offense get complicated, then they’re going to keep it simple.”
