Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle spent his bye week watching film. But it wasn’t just Miami’s tape. Coyle broke down the Texans' first six games to find out why AFC-leading Houston was so good at tipping passes at the line of scrimmage and creating turnovers.
“We studied all six of the Texans games prior to this weekend's game and made edits on every tipped pass they had and where their alignment was on every pass where they got their hands on the ball," Coyle said. "You can see it's definitely a point of emphasis they do with all their players ... We all emphasize, and they seem to reap the rewards more than anyone in the league.
Coyle added that he is going to spend more time teaching his players to put their hands up and trying to block passing lanes near the line of scrimmage.
"It's one of those things certainly you want to teach as you approach the QB and get your hands up to be more disruptive," he said. "And we've talked about it, and it’s a point of emphasis for us here as we go on through the rest of the season."
Egnew update: Rookie TE Michael Egnew is getting closer to playing in a game.
The third-round draft pick from Missouri had an awful training camp and struggled to make an impact in the running game as an edge blocker. Combined with a lack of experience on special teams, Egnew has had difficulty finding a role with the Dolphins. Still, offensive coordinator Mike Sherman said Egnew is improving from the player he harshly criticized two months ago.
“I think he’s making progress,” Sherman said. “I really have been on him pretty good since he’s been here, and I think recently I’ve been fairly complimentary of him, how he practices, how he’s developing. I can’t put a timetable on when he’s ready because that affects other guys as well who are also working to be the second- or third-team tight end."
Engew currently is running with the scout team, impersonating the TE from another team to help the Dolphins prepare for the upcoming game.
"When you’re the second or third tight end, you have to be a factor on those special teams and right now he’s not quite there on that," Sherman said. "But he is getting better (and) he is making progress.”
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