OCTOBER 28, 2017 Dolphin Digest 23That the Miami Dolphins sit here today with a 4-2 record, owners of three
straight victories, is really one of the most compelling stories of this NFL sea-
son.
Considering what this team has had to overcome, considering the road (lit-
erally) it has been forced to travel and considering the litany of off-the-field
distractions it has had to endure, for the Dolphins to reside in the thick of the
playoff race is a testament to the resiliency of these players and coaches.
What we saw against the Jets was simply another example, not as resound-
ing an example as the victory the Sunday before in Atlanta, but clearly further
evidence that this team has turned the proverbial corner.
The defense has been good all season, but it’s the offense that had to right
itself in a hurry after some anemic early-season performances. With Jay Cut-
ler out with a chest injury, Matt Moorecame in against the Jets and led a
17-point fourth quarter comeback that produced a stirring 31-28 victory.
While the problems on offense aren’t fixed — there is still some shaky offen-
sive line blocking — there are encouraging signs even if Cutler’s injury keeps
him out for a while.
The Dolphins haven’t been 4-2 since the 2003 season. We all know how
difficult the schedule becomes late in the season with the Patriots twice and
the Broncos in one three-game span.
It is imperative that the Dolphins continue to make their move right now.
With three straight prime-time games immediately ahead of them, two of
them against teams currently with losing records, the opportunity is right in
front of them. How they react could very well define their season.By ANDY COHENDolphins just keep finding a way
Not sure how Jay Ajayi does it. How he keeps his body moving
and his legs churning. How he takes a hit and keeps on coming. No
player in the league last season gained more yards after initial con-
tact than Ajayi and, based on what we’ve seen this season, it sure
looks like he’ll reach that lofty status once again.
Not since Larry Csonka has this franchise had a player who can
run through tackles the way Ajayi can. It’s what I believe separates
him from so many other backs in this league. We notice the 10-yard
runs. We see how he can run over defenders in the open field.
But what we don’t often focus on is how he turns a 1-yard loss
into a 3-yard gain just by refusing to go down. He’s had so many of
those already this season. How’s this for a stat: 96 of the 130 yards
Ajayi gained against the Falcons came after contact. He’ll take a hit,
then another, and just keep on scrapping.
We have seen that in wide receiver Jarvis Landry as well. The per-
fect example was a third-and-9 play against the Falcons when
Landry caught the ball 4 yards short of a first down and did his best
Ajayi imitation, dragging one defender with him the final yard.
“We watch how Jay runs and it inspires us all,” said Landry.
Ajayi is on pace to put together another memorable season,
though he did not have one of his better games against the Jets. Still,
even when he struggles, the yards after contact are still there. That
indeed is what makes Jay Ajayi so special.
Jay Ayayi’s toughness
his greatest asset
Think the stellar play of this Dolphins defense
through six games has anything to do with its first-
year defensive coordinator? Just ask the players.
They’ll set you straight about Matt Burke.
“He’s as smart as any coach in the league,”
said linebacker Mike Hull.
“He was always going to run a defense, it was
just a matter of when,” said linebacker Rey
Maualuga. “Everything he does is impressive.”
Each game you hear a different defensive
player talk about a call made by Burke or a ten-
dency he noticed or maybe just a subtle move or a
slight tweak in a blitz package. Against the Jets,
for instance, the Dolphins struggled in the first
half, giving up 191 yards. But after some adjust-
ments by Burke, the defense gave up 81 yards in
the second half.
Adam Gase has entrusted Burke with the keys
to this defense. Gase spends most of his time on
offense and that gives Burke the freedom to use
all the skills he has spent these years developing.
He isn’t afraid to shake things up, evidenced by
his decision — a wise one — to move rookie cor-
nerback Cordrea Tankersley into the starting
lineup.
“Whatever I need to do, whatever is best for
this defense, that’s what I’ll do,” he says.
Indeed, there is no longer any doubt whether
Matt Burke was the right man for the job. He’s
proving it just about every week.Matt Burke making a difference
DOLPHIN DIGEST STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND OWNERSHIP 1.Publication Title: The Dolphins Digest 2. Publication No. 0744-3226. 3. Filing Date: October 16, 2017- Issue Frequency: January, April/May, June/July, Aug, 2 times monthly Sept-Dec and one special issue published in April. 5. No. Of Issues Published Annually: 13. 6. Annual Subscription Price:
$39.95. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 7680 Dryer Rd, Victor, NY 14564; Contact Person: David Aultman; Phone: 585-942-4250. 8. Complete Mailing Address of
Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher; PO Box 401, Victor, NY 14564. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher: American Sports Media, PO Box 401, Vic-
tor, NY 14564; Editor: Alain Poupart, PO Box 401, Victor, NY 14564; Managing Editor, Andy Cohen, PO Box 401, Victor, NY 14564. 10. Owner Name and Address: David Aultman, PO Box 401,
Victor, NY 14564; David Jones, PO Box 401, Victor, NY 14564; Brian Spindler, PO Box 401, Victor, NY 14564. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or
Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount on Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12. Tax Status: Not Applicable. 13. Publication Title: Dolphin Digest 14. Issue Date for Circulation
Data Below: October 14, 2017. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation. Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months. A. Total No. Copies: 2,400. B. Paid and/ or Requested Circula-
tion. 1. Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541: 1,906. 2. Paid In-County Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541: 23. 3. Sales Through Dealers and Carriers,
Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: 0. 4. Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 226. C. Total Paid and\or Requested Circulation: 2,155. D. Free Distribu-
tion by Mail. 1. Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541: 5. 2. In-County as Stated on Form 3541: 0. 3. Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 0. E. Free Distribution Outside the Mail: 25. F.
Total Free Distribution: 30. G. Total Distribution: 2,185. H. Copies Not Distributed: 215. I. Total: 2,400. J. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 98.63%. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation
Number of Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 2,200. B1:1,652. B2: 12 B3: 0. B4: 203. C: 1,897. D1: 5. D2: 0. D3: 0. E: 25. F: 30. G: 1,897. H: 303. I: 2,200. J. Percent Paid
and/or Requested Circulation: 98.42%. I certify that the statements above made by me are correct and complete. (Signed) David Aultman, Owner, October 16, 2017.