The Miami Dolphins hired their guy in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio making him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the NFL, after firing their current defensive coordinator, Josh Boyer. Miami ranked 24th in points allowed this season and fielded one of the worst defenses in the league. Enter Fangio who is considered a defensive mastermind and whose defenses are usually within the top 10. Fangio’s specialty is of course stopping the passing game. The modern NFL is a pass-happy league, and a strong pass defense is crucial to success. Fangio’s base coverage, Cover 6, is a combination of Cover 4 to the strong side and Cover 2 to the weak side. This unique approach to defense has been successful for Fangio in the past, and it is sure to bring a new level of success to the Miami Dolphins.
Fangio’s Cover 6 defense is designed to cover all areas of the field and shut down opposing teams’ passing game. The strong side coverage of Cover 4 is meant to defend against deep passes, while the weak side coverage of Cover 2 is designed to defend against intermediate routes. This combination of coverage allows for a versatile defense that can adapt to different offensive schemes and react quickly to changing situations on the field. Fangio’s defenses don’t give quarterbacks many pre-snap clues about where the pressure is coming from, or what coverage the defense is playing. This forces the quarterback to make more post-snap decisions, which can slow down their thought process and create hesitation. When a quarterback is unsure or second-guessing themselves, they are more likely to make poor decisions and turn the ball over.
Another aspect of Fangio’s defenses that can lead to turnovers is their disciplined execution of assignments. Each player knows their role, and they are trained to execute it with precision. This creates a defense that is difficult for the opposing offense to penetrate, and it can result in interceptions and sacks when the offense makes mistakes. I expect Xavien Howard and Noah Igbinoghene to play more aggressively, and press coverage on the strong side, as they have safety help over the top. On the weak side, they will play more off coverage, with the responsibility of defending the deep half of the field. Howard and Igbinoghene will have the opportunity to challenge and disrupt the opposing wide receivers at the line of scrimmage, making it more difficult for the offense to complete deep passes. In Cover 2, they will have the ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and jump routes, leading to potential interceptions.
Fangio’s defenses often use two or three linebackers, depending on the personnel on the field. These linebackers will drop back in coverage or rush the passer, depending on the play call. They are also responsible for filling gaps and making tackles in the run game. One of the concerns for the Dolphins this year is linebacker, a position I expect them to address in the draft. It will be interesting to see which linebacker Fangio and McDaniel target in the upcoming draft.
Defensive tackles are crucial in stopping the run, collapsing the pocket, and applying pressure on the quarterback. In Fangio’s defense, the defensive tackles play a two-gap technique, meaning they are responsible for the gaps on either side of the offensive lineman. This allows them to read the play and react accordingly, making it harder for the offense to run the ball effectively. Fangio also uses his defensive tackles to generate a pass rush, often using stunts and twists to get them into the backfield and disrupt the opposing quarterback. By combining the two-gap technique and pass-rushing skills, the defensive tackles become a multi-dimensional threat in the defense.
As the NFL continues to evolve into a pass-first league, the Miami Dolphins must adjust accordingly. Hiring Fangio whose defensive philosophy continues to influence more and more NFL teams is a step in the right direction. Of course, Miami needs to continue adding talented players, they need to get younger on the defensive side of the ball as the scheme can only take you so far. But this financial investment in Fangio should make Dolphins fans confident that Dolphins brass is not sleeping on their laurels or content with making the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Instead, this move signals that the Dolphins are ready to take the next step into a consistent playoff contender.
