Here's the biggest reason Miami's rush offense will improve in 2022
The Dolphins hired a head coach, Mike McDaniel, offensive coordinator, Frank Smith, and offensive line coach, Matt Applebaum, who all have a proven track record of run game expertise and success.
This fires up Michael Deiter, the Dolphins' top candidate to start at center.
"You can just tell talking with them that running the ball is something that's important to all three of them," Deiter said Wednesday. "And it's cool. As an o-lineman, that's always refreshing to hear. And the way they're so successful is the detail."
McDaniel was the 49ers' offensive coordinator and run game coordinator.
Smith was the Chargers’ run game coordinator and offensive line coach.
Applebaum was the offensive line coach at Boston College.
"The way they break it down to make it almost simple in how you can be effective and how you can run the ball effectively," Deiter said. "It's cool to have three guys who are smart and care about the run and want to get it going no matter what. They can break it down and simplify it for you and it gives you a lot of confidence."
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Coaching is the number one reason for optimism that the Dolphins' run game will jump from putrid to powerful in 2022. They are committed. They have a plan.
But so is the new scheme.
It's called a zone blocking offense. Think about those great Washington and Denver rushing attacks.
It's all anchored by the "wide zone" play, a horizontal run play that attempts to stretch the defense enough to find a vertical running seam.
The offensive linemen move together and so they're less likely to be on their heels, trying to hold up one-one-one against powerful bull and speed rushers.
"The whole o-line, it's a system where we can play with confidence and cut it loose and really not worry," Deiter said. "Worry about winning, not worry about losing. It's going to be a lot of fun. It's going to be a ton of fun because we can play with confidence."
Miami's youthful offensive linemen, particularly Austin Jackson (possible right tackle) and Liam Eicheberg (possible right tackle or left guard) struggled last season with confidence. They did not play as well as they're capable of.
There are new vibes and a new mojo in Miami Gardens.
Deiter's description of Applebaum evokes the positivity of McDaniel.
"So far he's been really cool," Deiter said. "He's a detailed guy. An intense guy. But we're having a lot of fun. He's doing a really good job of keeping everything fun. He's been a great feature so far. We're learning a ton. And it's gonna be a lot of fun. He's a cool dude. He's fun to be around. But intense and a heck of a teacher."
There's been nothing fun about being a Dolphins offensive lineman in recent years. But new running backs Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert will have a better chance.
"The energy is high," Deiter said. "It's good. Everyone is excited to get better. We can see if everyone is doing their job the way they're supposed to we can be explosive. And we can have a lot of fun doing it. And the way to be explosive is with confidence and everyone working together and everyone cutting it loose. It's exciting and high energy."
The Dolphins could allow free agent guard Connor Williams to compete with Deiter at center. Or they could add another veteran late in the free agent process.
But Deiter is the top choice at the moment.
Deiter has played guard and tackle and it remains to be seen how his skill set translates to the zone rush scheme. But Deiter feels he's improved greatly since converting to center before last season.
"A lot better," Deiter said. "Just taking a lot more reps. A little more experience. Not where I want to be. I can be a lot better still. A lot more growth to have. But I'm definitely more confident than I was at this time last year. Not that it was my first time doing it. It had been a little while. But it's going good."
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins run game is going to be better in 2022; here's why
