5 Things the Miami Dolphins Must Do Schematically in 2016

Adam Gase will give the Miami Dolphins a new identity on both sides. The Dolphins will aggressively throw the football down the field and they will pressure more defensively.

New Miami Dolphins head coach Adam Gase wants the Dolphins to play with more of an attitude in all three phases of the game. Gone are the days of the stoic Joe Philbin. The Dolphins will be a different team in 2016 because they will adopt their new coach’s attitude.

Gase is going to get more out of quarterback Ryan Tannehill because he is going to be aggressive as a play caller. He will spread the field and look to push the ball vertically in the passing game. The Dolphins will also play faster offensively under Gase.

New defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will install a 4-3 base defense that centers around getting pressure on the quarterback. Joseph is a firm believer in the fundamentals and playing fast. The Dolphins will be sound defensively in 2016.

Here are five things the Dolphins must do well schematically in 2016.

Jun 14, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore (left) and Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (right) during practice drills at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova South. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Play With Pace Offensively: The Dolphins tried doing this under offensive coordinator Bill Lazor for the last two seasons but the end result was more three outstanding (and outs instead of) touchdowns. Gase is going to play fast offensively but it’s not always going to be about going no huddle. The Dolphins will get in and out of the huddle faster and the communication will be simple. Gase wants Tannehill and the offense to play with more confidence.

2. Run More Man-Gap Blocking Schemes: The Dolphins primarily ran the inside zone, mid-zone and outside zone running game under Lazor. That will change with Gase. He will bring back more man gap blocking schemes. The Dolphins will run the two back and one back power plays as well as misdirection and isolation plays. The Dolphins running game will be more diverse this season.

3. Use More 11, 12 and 10 Personnel: As I mentioned earlier, Gase wants to spread out and play with pace. The Dolphins have four receivers in Jarvis Landry, Devante Parker, Kenny Stills and rookie Leonte Carroo that can make big plays. They also have three quality tight ends that can create match up problems in Jordan Cameron, Dion Sims and rookie Thomas Duarte. With all of this skill at his disposal, Gase will utilize more shotgun and one back formations as a result.

Jun 14, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) talks with reporters after practice at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova South. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Play Twister With the Front Four: New defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is inheriting one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. If Cameron Wake, Ndamukong Suh, Earl Mitchell and Mario Williams stay healthy, they could be dominant. Look for Joseph to use a lot of different stunts and twists with this group to disrupt opposing blocking schemes. All four move well laterally and has (have) the quickness to penetrate and recreate the line of scrimmage.

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5. More Pressure with the Linebackers: The Dolphins have three athletic linebackers in Kiko Alonso, Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi. All three can play all three downs and be used in a variety of ways. Joseph will bring more pressure from depth because he has three linebackers that are quick and run well in space. Look for the Dolphins to use more fronts and pressures under Joseph.

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