Dolphins like new defensive scheme

[DolFan619]

http://www.miamiherald.com/614/story/563146.html

Dolphins like new defensive scheme

BY JEFF DARLINGTON
Miami Herald

Ask them to describe this defensive system. Go ahead.

Ask Dolphins safeties Jason Allen or Yeremiah Bell or Renaldo Hill to compare this year's scheme with the previous one. Within a matter of moments, each will use the same phrase -- as they did Sunday -- to explain what is so likable about their new situation.

''It's player-friendly,'' Allen said, expressing the sentiment shared by his teammates as well.

''It allows you to play free,'' Hill added.

''There's not as much thinking involved,'' Bell said.

Of course, for just as quick as Allen, Bell and Hill were to dub the latest defensive scheme as a likable defense that caters to athletic players, their position coach had a warning of his own for anyone who might confuse this defense with something that it isn't.

''I don't think it's simple,'' said Todd Bowles, who oversees the defensive backs. ``It's only player-friendly if they get it.''

Good news: The players, at least at this point, are convinced that they already are getting it.

That is specifically encouraging for Allen, who has struggled to pick up some of the complexities of the past two defenses orchestrated by former coach Nick Saban and former defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

But what does it really mean when a defense is ``player-friendly?''

After all, if a defense doesn't involve ''much thinking'' while allowing more freedom, does that mean the Dolphins just spent the weekend's minicamp installing the same playbook used by your local pub's flag-football team?

Relax. That's not what these guys mean.

STICKING WITH CALLS

''Basically, it means there's just not a lot of adjustments now,'' Hill said. ``Last year, we made adjustments based on what the offense did. A lot of reads. A lot of calls. Now, if we make a call before a play, we're sticking with it. We dictate what we're going to do rather than letting the offense dictate it for us.''

As Bell put it, last year caused a situation in which coaches would tell the players, ''If this guy moves, you make this check; if this guy moves, you make this check.'' That led to confusion for several defensive backs -- not and just Allen, who has been criticized in the past for lacking the ability to pick up the system fast enough.

Bowles also defended that aspect of Allen's game. He noted that it often is difficult these days, based on new limitations at the college level, to expect defensive backs to come into the NFL with the proper knowledge to make an immediate impact.

''As a result, you have to teach these first-rounders, too,'' Bowles said. ``It's not like before, where they can just come in and play.''

Don't be misunderstood, of course. This unit still has plenty of progress to make before it can be considered anything other than a group in question. Even Bowles is hesitant to endorse these players just yet, noting he needs to evaluate their ability in pads at training camp first.

QUESTION MARKS

It's not difficult to see why, either. Despite some progress near the end of last season, Allen (who will compete for the starting free-safety job) has yet to prove to be a consistent, reliable NFL defensive back -- even if his potential seems mostly untapped at this point.

And Bell (who appears to be a lock at strong safety) still says he is not fully recovered from a torn Achilles' tendon that sidelined him nearly all of last season.

Alas, the players are hopeful. They are enthusiastic about the new system, and they also are growing anxious to see how they will perform when they can start using their athletic ability more often than they have been able to in the past.

That, they say, is at least a few fast steps in the right direction.

''We're giving them the ability to play in the scheme,'' coach Tony Sparano said. ``It's not so complicated that they have to think of a bunch of things when they're out there, and maybe there are not 10 different checks when they get to the line.

``I think it's a little more friendly for them, and they can go out and execute it.''