Emmanuel Ogbah has been around the NFL long enough to know how “the game” is played, and I’m not referring to the finer points of football.
Or adjusting to Vic Fangio’s style of defense, which is the challenge every Miami Dolphins defender faces this offseason as they learn the intricacies created by the hiring of the team’s new defensive coordinator.
“The game” we’re referring to is navigating the business side of the NFL, which is a professional sports league that has been nicknamed the "Not For Long" league for good reasons, because of the short nature of careers and the brutal business practices it fosters.
Based on his 2022 performance, the Dolphins could be having some buyer’s remorse one season into the substantial four-year, $65.4 million deal they gave Ogbah last offseason.
Contract or cap space?
With the $36 million in guaranteed money concluding after the upcoming 2023 season, anticipate the Dolphins making a business decision on Ogbah's status next offseason, determining if he’s worth the $15.8 million for which he’s on the books.
That figure becomes available cap space if Ogbah is released, and with $187 million already committed to eight players — which includes Ogbah — and a number of key players becoming free agents next offseason, Ogbah’s future is at stake.
That’s why this season is about proving he’s worth his price tag by regaining his status as the team’s top sack producer.
“They’ve taken care of me. I’ve got to go out there and put some good juice on tape,” said Ogbah, who had career lows in snaps (328), tackles (11) and sacks (1) last season.
Ogbah coming off his worst season
The 2022 season was Ogbah’s worst in his seven-year career because he suffered a biceps injury that limited him to nine games (three starts) and prematurely ended his season.
“Obviously I battled some injuries last year but I’m ready to go this year,” said Ogbah, who this week said he’s been medically cleared by Miami's doctors to participate in the team’s on-field work, which have been ongoing, and the OTA sessions, which begin next week. “I’ve got to take care of my body better this year, and just focus on the little things.”
The hope is that a recommitment to himself and his craft will help the 29-year-old get back to being the team’s leading sack producer, which Ogbah was in 2021 and 2022, when he contributed nine sacks a season, and one of the NFL’s leaders when it came to defensive linemen deflecting passes at the line of scrimmage.
Fortunately for Ogbah, he’s the type of versatile defensive lineman who should excel in Fangio’s scheme, which requires the defensive linemen to possess more pass-rushing acumen and disengagement skills than previous Dolphins defenses.
Helping Ogbah is the fact that this alteration in schemes utilized will put Ogbah in his fourth NFL scheme, and his versatility and experience should allow him to play all across the line.
“For the offense, it creates challenges because they don’t know where I’ll be at,” said Ogbah, who could be lining up across from either offensive tackle, positioned in a gap between the tackles and guards, and possibly going head up against the center on obvious passing downs.
With Christian Wilkins, Raekwon Davis and Zach Sieler in the fold, and pass rushers like Bradley Chubb and a blossoming Jaelan Phillips, Miami’s defensive front should have plenty of bite to it. Pass rushers like Ogbah should be able to benefit from the improved coverage the acquisition of Jalen Ramsey will likely provide when paired with fellow Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard.
At the moment, especially without pads, it’s impossible to see how everyone fares in the trenches, the area where plenty of pushing and pulling happens to determine outcome of games gets done.
Fangio presently is figuring out what all Miami's defenders are capable of, and where everyone potentially could fit. But the more a defensive lineman like Ogbah proves he can do, the more likely he is to play an elevated amount of snaps.
“Having to learn multiple positions, it’s a challenge but I’m well equipped to do it,” Ogbah said. “I’m versatile, and it’s a different scheme, so I can adapt quickly on any scheme you present to me.”
Ogbah will have to do much more than adapt if he wants to remain among the Dolphins' premium pay players.
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