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Malik Willis: Dolphins’ Week 1 Mistakes Are ‘Easily Fixable’

Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis isn’t running away from the mistakes that contributed to Miami’s season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

After reviewing the film, Willis pointed to situational awareness, taking care of the football and eliminating critical mistakes as areas where the Dolphins must improve before facing the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2.

For Willis, the answer isn’t complicated.

Miami simply has to execute better.

“I mean situational awareness as far as just making critical mistakes,” Willis said. “Whether it was me taking a sack or somebody else and me in there or whatever, it doesn’t matter, we’re all one team.”

Willis specifically acknowledged the importance of protecting the football, something head coach Jeff Hafley has continually stressed to his team.

“Taking care of the ball, obviously,” Willis said. “He says it in every meeting, that’s always going to be important.”

Willis Wants Dolphins to Eliminate Critical Mistakes

Willis didn’t attempt to make excuses for what went wrong against Las Vegas.

The Dolphins found themselves playing from behind, forcing the offense into situations where the Raiders could play softer coverage and make it more difficult for Miami to generate explosive plays.

Willis acknowledged that he may have been too aggressive on his interception, but didn’t believe he was consistently forcing the football downfield.

“More than anything just on the interception, but other than that not really,” Willis said.

The quarterback instead emphasized that Miami must continue executing regardless of the score or situation.

That includes eliminating sacks.

Willis described the issues that led to sacks against Las Vegas as a “mixed bag,” but importantly, he believes the problems are correctable.

“It’s all easily fixable stuff,” Willis said.

Willis Isn’t Interested in Chasing Lamar Jackson

Willis’ ability to create plays with his legs remains one of the most dangerous elements of Miami’s offense.

He’s already among the NFL’s leading quarterbacks in rushing yards, sitting just one yard behind Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson when Willis was informed of the statistic.

De’Von Achane even joked that he has encouraged Willis to run more.

Willis, however, isn’t interested in chasing individual numbers.

“I’m not really looking to compete in a facet for stats,” Willis said. “I’m more trying to win games.”

Willis also acknowledged some of the outside skepticism surrounding the Dolphins after their Week 1 loss.

“Maybe they’re a little harder on us because who we are and they don’t think we’re going to do anything anyway,” Willis said. “So just try to take along that challenge and more work towards that goal versus a stat.”

For Willis, rushing totals don’t mean much if they don’t translate into victories.

Caleb Douglas Continues to Earn Willis’ Trust

One of the most encouraging developments from Miami’s opener was the connection between Willis and rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas.

But Willis doesn’t view Douglas’ early success as something that appeared overnight.

Douglas has been working with the Dolphins since OTAs, giving him valuable repetitions in the offense and plenty of opportunities to develop chemistry with his quarterback.

“He’s got all the reps and he’s confident in what he’s doing and we’re just continuing to build and grow,” Willis said.

Douglas remains a rookie with plenty to learn, but Willis pointed out that he’s also still learning Miami’s new offense.

The goal is for both to continue progressing together.

“We’re just going to continue on that same path upward,” Willis said.

Dolphins Need to Establish the Running Game

Miami’s running game will be another major focus against San Francisco.

Willis believes establishing the run is fundamental to everything the Dolphins want to accomplish offensively.

“The running game is important to everything,” Willis said. “You start there, the defenses try to stop the run. That’s where football starts.”

A successful ground attack can open up play-action opportunities while putting the offense in better situations when it needs to drop back and throw.

Willis also made a point to support Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

“I think Bobby has a great scheme and he does it the right way,” Willis said. “He teaches us the right way. We just got to execute.”

That was a recurring theme throughout Willis’ media session. Whether discussing the passing game, running game, sacks or turnovers, the quarterback continually brought the conversation back to execution.

Willis Holding Dolphins Rookies Accountable

With so many young players occupying important roles on Miami’s roster, Willis understands there will be growing pains.

He remembers experiencing them himself.

Willis said Miami’s Week 1 loss provided some of the Dolphins’ rookies with situations and pressures they had never experienced at the professional level.

“At the same time, I remember when I was a rookie, I had the same mistakes and same mess ups,” Willis said.

That doesn’t mean the rookies get a pass.

Willis wants to be understanding while still holding every player to the same standard once they step onto the field.

“You do want to hold them accountable because they’re out there playing ball,” Willis said. “Whoever’s out there playing ball, you want them to do their one-eleventh and that goes to me as with myself as well.”

It’s the same “one-eleventh” message Hafley has emphasized as Miami attempts to get all 11 players executing their responsibilities simultaneously.

Willis Excited About Kadyn Proctor‘s Development

One of those young players is rookie offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor, who made his regular-season debut against Las Vegas.

Willis liked the attitude and physicality he saw from Proctor.

“I think he played with great edge and we just got to continue to clean stuff up,” Willis said.

More importantly, Willis likes Proctor’s willingness to learn.

“He’s willing and he wants to learn and he wants to keep getting better,” Willis said. “So I’m super excited for him in this next opportunity we get this week.”

Proctor will get another significant test against a talented San Francisco defense.

Willis Doesn’t Believe in a Quarterback’s Internal Clock

Willis also offered an interesting perspective when asked about the idea that quarterbacks have an internal clock telling them when they need to get rid of the football.

He doesn’t buy it.

“I feel like that’s made up,” Willis said. “There’s no such thing as a clock, there’s just what it is.”

Instead, Willis views pocket awareness as something a quarterback feels while simultaneously reading the coverage and trusting his protection.

“Sometimes they win fast, sometimes they win slow,” Willis said. “It’s just understanding the feel of when are they going to get there more than a clock telling you, ‘Okay, I need to throw it now.'”

Willis explained that quarterbacks have to account for what’s happening throughout a play. A receiver could get rerouted, coverage could change the progression or protection could hold longer than anticipated.

“You got to see what’s going on out in the coverage and how that plays out,” Willis said.

As for sensing pressure coming from behind, Willis said it’s something that can’t necessarily be heard.

“It’s just feel,” Willis said. “You can’t hear nothing happening, you’re just playing ball.”

Willis’ Message Is Clear Heading Into Week 2

A consistent message ran through Willis’ comments: Miami’s problems can be corrected.

The Dolphins need to protect the football, avoid unnecessary sacks, establish their running game and execute their assignments across all 11 positions.

Willis isn’t concerned about individual statistics. He isn’t blaming the scheme. And he isn’t placing Miami’s Week 1 problems on one position group.

He’s putting the responsibility on everyone, including himself.

The Dolphins now get an opportunity to show whether the lessons from Las Vegas have sunk in.

Against a talented 49ers team in Week 2, simply identifying those mistakes won’t be enough.

Miami has to fix them.

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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