Crossman should be the first Miami Dolphins coach fired at seasons end
When the 2022 season is finally over for the Miami Dolphins, regardless of whether a playoff game is played or not, these coaches should be fired.
Danny Crossman isn’t a name that many fans will know immediately but they should. He is the special teams coordinator and frankly, there is absolutely nothing special about the Miami Dolphins special teams.
When I hear “Special Teams” and the Miami Dolphins in the same sentence, my first thought is the A+ Dolphins volunteer and charity branch that are called the “Special Teams”. They rock, the Dolphins on-field unit, not so much.
Crossman is part of the problem. Crossman has been with the Dolphins since 2019 and that is too long. Another holdover from the Brian Flores regime, Crossman isn’t what the Dolphins need.
It is hard to pinpoint the exact problems on Miami’s special teams but Miami consistently doesn’t start drives outside of the 20 – 25 yard line following a kick-off.
According to ProFootballReference.com, the Dolphins, on average, start their drives at their own 26 yard line. This is an average of all drives so it is a bit skewed. The eye-ball test sees the Dolphins consistently start inside the 25. Opposing teams are averaging a starting point of the 29 yard line. Breaking this down more, opposing teams are averaging about 35 yards per drive this year against the Dolphins.
If teams start at the 30 yard line and drive 35 yards, they are in field goal range consistently. Miami averages about 32 yards per drive and if they are starting at their own 25, they are not consistently getting into field goal range on an average.
The numbers are tricky and there is a lot that isn’t taken into account but Miami starting their drives on our inside the 25 is a problem.
On Sunday, the Dolphins gave up a big return of 93 yards, the defense held the Packers to a field goal but Miami lost by six points and while we can’t know how a game would turn out without a big kick return, the fact it happened at all is concerning. Miami’s special teams defense has struggled all year.
According to Lineups.com, the Dolphins special teams unit is not ranked highly across the NFL.
- Opposing teams punt return average – 11th
- Opposing teams kick return average – 18th
- Miami’s punt return average – 31st
- Miami’s kick return average – 21st
It’s hard to win consistently and put an offense in position to succeed when your special teams isn’t doing its job. The Dolphins STs are not good and they haven’t been in a few years now. It’s time to move on from Crossman.
