- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,272,102
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Cornerbacks Juju Brents (8) and Chris Johnson (3) are among the Miami Dolphins defenders fighting for starting jobs in 2026. Photo by Peter McMahon/Miami Dolphins
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Jeff Hafley said he'll seek immediate physicality from his cornerbacks, which typically brings the toughness the Miami Dolphins' rookie coach craves.
The defensive backs guru, who was hired in January, has eyed the group throughout training camp as an intense competition unfolds to determine his starters.
Meanwhile, he marches a comprehensive quest to alter the culture of the Dolphins, who haven't won a playoff game in 25 years and vie to amplify tenacity.
"I think when you look at a football team in general, the way I view a defense is when I turn on the tape, whether it's our team or another team, if the corners are physical and they're tackling, it's usually a pretty tough team," Hafley said at training camp in Miami Gardens, Fla.
"It's like when I watch wide receivers, if I'm watching a tape and wide receivers are blocking down the field and they're getting after defensive backs and linebackers and defensive ends, it's usually a sign that's a pretty tough team. So, corners who stay on blocks, that's not OK with me."
Hafley, who spent the last two years as defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, said it is nonnegotiable for his cornerbacks to shed blocks during defensive plays.
Hafley has worked among elite cornerbacks, including Richard Sherman and Darrelle Revis, throughout his college and NFL coaching tenure. Those All-Pro defenders were known for their physicality, but Hafley said he also learned from their mindsets.
"That's what separates the really talented players from Hall of Fame guys," Hafley said. "You learn so much from them, not only how they play on the field, but how they approach the game.
"Those guys would send you videos and texts at 11 p.m. They are studying. They want to be better. They want to know about their opponent. It's just a different mindset that they have."
Hafley previously specified his favorite characteristics of players at the cornerback position. He wants those players to excel at all three coverage levels -- the line of scrimmage, intermediate space and deep.
He also wants cornerbacks to make pass catchers stop and start their feet, utilize their hands and quickly change direction. And he examines the efficiency of angles his players take in cutting off routes.
For intermediate coverage, Hafley needs cornerbacks to drop their hips and accelerate out of cuts, especially if they can't dominate at the line of scrimmage. He also watches for the ability for cornerbacks to win down-field battles, when quarterbacks attempt to air out deep passes.
Hafley admitted it's rare to find players who can be excellent at all coverages, but said he might have to "find a different player" if his targets don't excel in at least two.
Just three years ago, the Dolphins appeared to secure star stability at cornerback, bringing together All-Pros Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard.
But a training camp knee injury for Ramsey denied that duo from catching on. They appeared in just seven games together. Since then, Howard has retired, while Ramsey has been traded.
Injuries ravaged the Dolphins' cornerbacks room last season. That, combined with the departures of Ramsey, fellow 2024 starters Kader Kohou and Kendall Fuller and 2025 starters Jack Jones and Rasul Douglass, triggered their current situation.
The Dolphins' new group features Chris Johnson, a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Jason Marshall Jr., Juju Brents, Storm Duck, Darrell Baker Jr., Ethan Robinson, Ethan Bonner, Alex Austin, A.J. Green III, Marco Wilson and Miles Battle, who logged two interceptions at Friday's session.
Competition continues to escalate at training camp, with Hafley introducing competitive segments that sometimes include defenders doing pushups after surrendering deep pass completions.
Marshall, who spent the majority of his snaps last season as the Dolphins' nickelback, is to move outside. Johnson could move to the interior, while Brents is likely to be among those competing for playing time.
Dolphins defensive coordinator Sean Duggan continues to praise the rookie for the poise he's displayed this summer.
"For a rookie, the moment's never too big," Duggan said of Johnson. "He always seems under control. I think I kind of said this in the spring is he learns from his mistakes. He understands how he's going to be attacked and very rarely does he make the same mistake twice."
He also touted Marshall for his discipline and physicality, citing his ability to break off blocks, a Hafley priority.
"He loves to challenge people and get his hands on guys," Duggan said. "The guy can run. It's nice to see him using his hands, not staying blocked. He's done a great job."
Duck and Baker, who have starting experience at the position, are sitting on the active/physically unable to perform list. Hafley said he expects them to return "at some point this season," leaving the door open for others to wrestle for playing time in their absence.
Johnson, who frequently moves in and out of the slot at practice, said he is getting more comfortable with his flexible role. He said communications for the strategy are "a work in progress."
"It's still kind of in the works just because when I come on the field, the corner might think I'm coming to take him out or it's just a little bit of confusion, but we just trying to get the comms, hand signals, whatever it is going, just so we could get everything right, make sure we have 11 players on the field," Johnson said.
He acknowledged Brents' ability to stay calm under pressure and hopes to mimic that ability.
"Definitely a place where I'm trying to get to where whether you make a play or you don't, it's not too high, not too low," Johnson said of Brents. "Just kind of being able to stay calm and understanding you made that play because you did good or you didn't make that play because you were messed up somewhere."
Marshall complimented Johnson's quick absorption of the playbook. He also said he is helping Johnson with tips about playing in the slot and feels more comfortable at his "natural position."
Johnson, a 6-foot defender, was touted during the pre-draft process for his ability to attack blockers. Marshall, who is about the same height, also is known for his ability to jolt receivers in press coverage.
Brents, who is several inches taller than Johnson and Marshall, can lose ground against speedy playmakers, but has also been praised for his early contact with pass catchers.
Battle, Robinson, Green, Austin, Wilson and Bonner were mostly used in special teams last season, but could find their way onto the field with elevated play throughout training camp or due to further injuries at the position.
The Dolphins had the No. 18 pass defense in the NFL last season. They had the ninth-best unit in 2024, with Ramsey, Kohou and Fuller leading the cornerbacks room. Douglas was the only Dolphins cornerback last season who ranked inside the Pro Football Focus' Top 65 in coverage rating for those who were in for at least 50% of the maximum snaps played at the position.
Ramsey and Kohou both ranked inside the Top 27 among qualifying cornerbacks in 2024.
Like every other NFL team, the Dolphins must trim their 90-man roster to 53 by Aug. 30. They kept six cornerbacks and six safeties through final cuts last season.
Continue reading...
