MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Vic Fangio can go a long way as defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins if he can unlock the Pro Bowl potential that safety Jevon Holland and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips possess heading into their third NFL seasons.
The two standout early draft picks from the Dolphins’ 2021 class spoke highly of Fangio in their first public comments about their team’s new leader on defense.
“I’m really excited coach Vic is here,” Holland told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Saturday at the Dolphins Challenge Cancer charity event. “He’s got a huge rap sheet of successful players in his system, and I’m just hoping that I can fit that mold.
“I can’t get ahead of myself. The season just ended. I take some time, but I’m definitely excited, for sure. … I’m just excited to get into the playbook and see what it is.”
Added Phillips, to the Sun Sentinel before a 100-mile bike ride to help raise funds for cancer research: “I know he’s a coach that’s been around for a long time. He’s extremely serious about football, and he’s going to do everything in his power to make sure we’re in the best position possible.”
In recent stops, Fangio’s defenses have had success with safeties between his time as head coach of the Denver Broncos (2019-21) and defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears (2015-18) and San Francisco 49ers (2011-14). Dashon Goldson, Donte Whitner, Antoine Bethea, Eric Reid, Eddie Jackson and Justin Simmons have all had Pro Bowl seasons under Fangio. Plus, Fangio had time as a defensive assistant in Baltimore when Ed Reed was a Ravens’ All-Pro.
“We’ve had some good luck with safeties over the years in the last few stops,” Fangio said at his introductory press conference last week, “and I’m hopeful and confident that [Holland] can be one of the top safeties in the league.”
Fangio said he can adjust his scheme to fit what his players do best and to match up against opponents, but historically, he keeps his safeties in two-high looks in zone coverage much more often than his aggressive predecessor, Josh Boyer. Boyer blitzed safeties at a high rate, so there lies a probable shift in how Holland will play free safety alongside strong safety Brandon Jones, who is rehabbing a torn ACL that cut his 2022 season short.
“I ran that in college,” Holland said of his comfort with Fangio’s style. “I do actually prefer that — two high safeties. You can rotate down and things like that, disguises and whatnot. I’m just excited to get into the playbook. It looks like a fun defense to play.”
Fangio’s defense could put Holland in position to expand on the two interceptions per year Holland has come down with in his first two NFL seasons out of Oregon, adding another in the January playoff loss at Buffalo.
“Justin Simmons, looks like he had a great time out there [in Denver] playing in it,” Holland said, “and so I feel like I can fit in that role. Just have fun out there playing, not thinking, just letting it flow.”
When Fangio made his first comments as Dolphins defensive coordinator, he pointed out how great the combination of Phillips and Bradley Chubb, whom he previously coached with the Broncos, can be on opposite ends of the box.
“They have great potential. But potential — we got to see it,” Fangio said. “Talking about it is easy, projecting it as easy, but we got to see it. … They both have the tools. They both have the makeup to be really good players on the edges for us.”
Like Holland, Phillips noted it’s still too early to know what, specifically, Fangio can unlock in his game and for the Dolphins’ pass rush with the acquisition still a bit fresh.
“I’ve talked to him a few times, but haven’t really been able to talk ball,” Phillips said. “I’m interested to see what he’s going to bring.
“I trust him. I trust [coach Mike] McDaniel. And I trust Bradley and trust the rest of our defense.”
