Dolphins' best defender might surprise you
The Miami Dolphins have become synonymous with offense and rightfully so. Through the first five weeks, they have set multiple records and are ranked No. 1 in every major offensive statistical category.
When a team lines up against the Miami Point Machine, household names like stars Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle — along with the rhythm — is gonna get them. So far, the defense has only been asked to hold serve to get Miami four wins out of five tries, with Week 2 coming as the only standout performance for the 23rd-ranked unit in the league.
It was in that victory against the New England Patriots that Andrew Van Ginkel asserted himself as Miami's best defender. Subbing at outside linebacker for an injured Jaelan Phillips, Van Ginkel tore up the Patriots, continually pressuring Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and registering his first sack of the season.
"For him to be able to come in and not just play but be an impactful force says everything about him and all the people around him," Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said, per Dolphins Wire's James Trefry. "It didn’t surprise us really. I figured he’d have a pretty good game."
In the pass-crazy NFL, defenders who can disrupt the timing of QBs are more valuable than ice-cold beers in the hot Florida sun. Van Ginkel leads the Dolphins in tackles for a loss (six) and sacks (four). He's knifing his way through offensive linemen with precision and has played so well that Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio must find a way to keep him on the field.
"He’s making a case for that," Fangio said, per Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. "We will try to get Gink as many snaps as we can between edge and the ILB [inside linebacker] position."
Van Ginkel is situated on the edge because he plays with one. The fifth-round pick out of Wisconsin solidified his status as a must-start player with his unrelenting drive in Miami's 31-16 Week 5 win at home against the New York Giants. Van Ginkel pressured Giants QB Daniel Jones eight times, hit him five times and sacked him once.
The Dolphins D rebounded from a poor showing in a Week 4 loss to the Buffalo Bills and did not give up an offensive touchdown to the Giants, limiting them to only 85 yards rushing.
"We came together as a defense and we told each other that we had to play as one," Van Ginkel said, according to Fox Sports. "Play as a team and everybody do your job so when you can come out and put pressure on the quarterback and get DBs playing aggressive. We were really shutting down receivers, that's what it is all about."
Van Ginkel is all about making big plays. A free agent after the season, he has found a niche in Fangio's defense. Sometimes, a change in philosophy and terminology suits certain guys. Van Ginkel fits schematically with what Fangio likes to do and picked up the system quickly. Even after starting Week 1 as an inside LB, Van Ginkel made the transition to the outside look super-easy.
There are different ways to play each coverage that Fangio sends in. Communication is imperative. Van Ginkel believes he's aced the formations due to his accountability.
"I just try to be on top of it and I think that allows me to play fast and be in the right spots." Van Ginkel said, per Miami Herald's Barry Jackson.
Even though the Dolphins are known for their offensive exploits, Van Ginkel is in the right place at the right time to be Miami's playmaker on defense. Teams can't control him any longer.
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