Dolphins' Melvin Ingram flashing vintage Chargers' form
LOS ANGELES ― Melvin Ingram already has six sacks for the Dolphins, including one in four straight games.
Ingram, 33, seems to have recaptured his vintage San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers form.
But don't propose that storyline to the Miami edge rusher, who will face his former team on Sunday night.
The Dolphins signed Ingram to a 1-year deal, which appears savvy, considering he had only two sacks in his previous 22 games played for the Chargers, Chiefs and Steelers.
Ingram met with Miami media after a practice at UCLA on Thursday.
Question: Do you feel that you're playing at a higher level?
Ingram: I always play at a high level.
Question: Right now.
Ingram: Always.
Question: But in comparison to the Chiefs and the Steelers?
Always. Always. Always played at a high level.
Question: Even when the sacks weren't there?
Ingram: Always. Always. Always.
Everyone laughed. Ingram is an affable fellow. But he's dead serious about this. Even when the sacks weren't coming, Ingram and the Dolphins both saw pressures and solid run defense and, yes, a high level of play.
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"Just incredibly intelligent guy, really sharp football guy," Dolphins linebackers coach Anthony Campanile said Thursday. "His veteran leadership is definitely great for our team. And when you look at his production, I think he's just done a great job when he's in there, you know, including in the run game. He's a physical force on the edges."
Ingram was a three-time Pro Bowler for the Chargers. He was a team captain. But like many stories, it didn't have the happiest ending. In 2020, his final season with the club, there was a knee injury and a contract issue.
Ingram left for the Steelers and then the Chiefs. But he has good feelings about his return to Southern California.
"It's just a blessing," Ingram said. "It's a blessing to be here and still be doing the game I love. And to come back to where it all started at man words can't even explain it."
Was Ingram's best memory as a Charger the 2018 playoff run?
"My favorite time as a Charger was getting drafted," Ingram said. "Because it changed my life forever. And I'm forever grateful."
Ingram said he's still close with many former Chargers, like Eric Weddle, Takeo Spikes and Antonio Gates.
"I came in with a great group of guys who taught me how to be a pro," Ingram said. "How to go about your work. How go about your work when nobody's looking. Not just on Sunday. Always be a pro."
When Ingram played for the Chargers, he coined the phrase "ASAP," which stood for "Any squad any place."
But Ingram says this Miami defense has its own identity.
"A bunch of young, hungry dogs," he said. "We'll do whatever it takes. We lay it on the line for our brothers and our brothers lay it on the line for us."
Ingram said he tries to lead younger pass rushers like Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Andrew Van Ginkel by example.
"There's going to be things that he does and knows and understands that, really, you don't coach," Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer said. "He's been a great teammate. He's been a true professional."
Campanile, the linebackers coach, expanded on the benefits of Ingram's experience.
"Melvin certainly does have a great knack for when to do something, maybe a little artistic interpretation," Campanile said. "And when he sees something in the game that communication on the sideline is valuable."
To what does Ingram attribute the sudden streak of sacks?
"Just rushing, man," Ingram said. "Just doing what I've been doing. Trying to win rushes and get to the quarterback. Nothing different."
Joe Schad can be reached at jschad@pbpost.com
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Melvin Ingram of Miami Dolphins to face Los Angles Chargers
