LB Jaelan Phillips makes Dolphins rookie history in victory over the Giants
MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins rookie linebacker Jaelan Phillips set a team record on Sunday, and he did it at a stadium in which he played many college games.
Phillips posted two sacks in Miami's 20-9 win over the Giants. With 8.5 sacks on the season, Phillips surpassed the 8.0 recorded by Bill Stanfill and Lorenzo Bromell as rookies.
"It's a surreal feeling, but honestly it's bigger than me," said Phillips, a University of Miami alum.
Phillips has six sacks in the past three games, including five sacks in the past two contests. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Phillips is the first NFL rookie since Julius Peppers in 2002 to record at least six sacks in a three-game span.
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He is the second rookie in Dolphins history to record back-to-back games with multiple sacks. The other was Marco Coleman on Oct. 25, 1992 (3.0 vs. Indianapolis) and Nov. 1, 1992 (2.0 at N.Y. Jets).
Phillips’s 8.5 sacks are second among all NFL rookies this season.
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With those numbers, Phillips, the 18th pick in the last NFL Draft, is living up to expectations. Phillips said every time he looks into the stands, he notices a sea of hands throwing up the 'U.'
"I never thought I'd end up in Miami in my life. I'm a So-Cal boy, born and raised," Phillips said.
The Redlands, Calif., native was a member of UCLA's program for an injury-riddled first two years of his college career, initially retiring from the sport before announcing that he would take his talents to Miami the following season.
But now, two years after enrolling with the Hurricanes, the "whirlwind" has died down and South Florida "feels like home" to Phillips.
And it's evident with his recent boost in production.
Coach Brian Flores says he doesn't believe that production is the only way to assess a player's talent.
Yet, Flores did admit that Phillips is "doing a very good job."
After his Sunday appearance, Phillips has posted 36 tackles total – 20 solo – and has been featured on the sack sheet for five straight weeks.
His breakout game came in Week 12 against the Panthers when he recorded three sacks, four tackles – three for loss – four quarterback hits and a pass defended.
"They always say sacks come in bunches, and the last five, six weeks or so I just think we’ve been executing really well," Phillips said, attributing his success to his teammates and effort plays.
Linebacker Jerome Baker says he's seen the "hungry" rookie's potential since he first walked through the door.
According to Baker, Phillips didn't run with the defensive line. He didn't run with the outside linebackers either.
"He ran with us," Baker said.
That continued work ethic and eagerness to better himself and his teammates from his beginnings on the scout team has gained Phillips the respect of his peers.
"He took that to heart and to see a young guy do that, it meant a lot," Baker said.
Fellow defensive vet Andrew Van Ginkel doubled down on Baker's comments, commending Phillips' effort and magnetism to the ball.
"Just being in the right spot at the right time and doing exactly what he is supposed to do and putting himself in position to make plays," Van Ginkel said.
Baker spoke for the entire team when he said that Phillips' hard work is paying off and the Dolphins are happy to see it.
"I’m just blessed to be a vessel, to be able to go out there and do what I love and put on for you guys and for the fans and for my teammates, so we’re just going to keep doing it," Phillips said.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jaelan Phillips sets Dolphins rookie record for sacks in a season
