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Dolphins’ Hafley discusses Chris Johnson’s missed sack, offers Kadyn Proctor update
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- Dolphins’ Hafley discusses Chris Johnson’s missed sack, offers Kadyn Proctor update
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley pointed to missed opportunities after Sunday's 24-19 loss to the New England Patriots, and rookie cornerback Chris Johnson had a head-scratching one.
In the second quarter, with the Dolphins leading 6-3, Johnson blitzed from the nickel cornerback position, bounced off a chip block from a tight end and had an open shot at Patriots quarterback Drake Maye's blind side.
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Having a chance to sack Maye on a fourth-and-3, he, rather inexplicably, dove at Maye's feet, missed him entirely and allowed the New England quarterback to complete a pass to Efton Chism III to extend the drive.
"He knows he's more than capable of making those plays," said Hafley on Monday, opting to keep specifics of conversations with his player private . "It was a one-time thing, and he'll make the play the next time. Those are the ones, you just got to move on. You can't get them back.
"He'll make the play. It happened. I got his back, and we move on. I love the guy. He's going to be a really, really good player. We move on, play the next play and live the next day."
And that's what Hafley liked about what Johnson did. He didn't let the one negative play lead to poor play the rest of the way.
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"I thought he responded really well," Hafley said. "I mean, that's life in this league. You're going to make some plays, and especially at his position, you're going to give up some deep passes playing corner and you got to have short memory. And we can coach him on how to finish in those positions.
Johnson was also picked up emotionally by teammates.
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"We're all going to have plays throughout the game we wish we could have back ," fellow cornerback JuJu Brents said Monday. "We're playing defensive back. You're going to have some great plays, and we're going to have some plays that, if you mess up, it's going to be magnified on a big scale. We just got to all have each other's back, which we do."
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While appearing costly in the moment, Johnson's missed sack did not result in points for the Patriots, as kicker Andy Borregales later missed a 40-yard field goal wide right.
Proctor still in protocol
Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said rookie left guard Kadyn Proctor will continue to navigate concussion protocol this week after missing Sunday's game.
"He's progressing through it and will continue to follow the steps, but he's currently still in the protocol," Hafley said.
Proctor missed the entire week of practice before the Patriots game, but he was seen doing aerobic exercises on the side of drills last Friday.
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Without Proctor, Jarrett Kingston started at left guard.
"He started off a little slow, and then, as he picked it up and got comfortable, I thought he played well. I thought he played physical. His assignments were good. I know he had the one false start early in the game, but I thought he finished well. I thought played well for his first start, and I was proud of him."
Hafley had similar things to say about right guard Jonah Savaiinaea's play Sunday after he started with some struggles.
Miami's offensive line gave up five sacks Sunday, but they were all in the first half and one was a matter of a play breaking down because a receiver ran the wrong route.
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Also getting put into protocol early last week was Brents, who was cleared in time to play and had a fumble recovery in the game.
"That was my first time being in the concussion protocol in the league, so it was a little bit different," Brents said Monday "I came in (last) Monday, went through the whole ordeal, if I had any symptoms. When I was cleared to play, it felt good."
Among players on either injured reserve or the physically-unable-to-perform list who are eligible to return to practice this week, Hafley said cornerback Darrell Baker Jr., who is on the PUP list, has the best chance to return.
Miami also has veteran linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr. on IR, plus rookie linebacker Trey Moore. The fourth-round pick started the season on IR due to a preseason ankle injury that the team knew would take time to heal.
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"Trey's doing good," Hafley said. "Do I think he's going to be back this week or next week? I don't. But we'll see how he progresses, and still hopeful that we'll get him for some part of the season to get another young guy on the field and see what he can do."
Playing time
Versatile rookie safety-linebacker hybrid defender Kyle Louis played 11 snaps Sunday , with Hafley saying Monday it was mostly in an outside linebacker-type role that could be viewed as a nickel.
"I thought Kyle played well. I thought he got better as the game went, having not played a lot of football," Hafley said. "Overall, he was physical. I thought he did a really good job in coverage and he tackled well. And he'll continue to play if he continues to do that."
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As kicker Zane Gonzalez missed a field goal and had another one bounce in off an upright, Hafley said he will stick with him as kicker this week. Gonzalez, who is on the practice squad, has one elevation left before the team has to decide whether to sign him to a spot on the active roster.
Running back Kaytron Allen played 16 special teams snaps and stood out, rocking Patriots punt returner Marcus Jones right as he caught the football on one third-quarter punt.
"That's what our expectation is of every player, whatever your role is," Hafley said. "I think you guys have seen how we're building this thing. The foundation is going to be playing with that type of physicality and effort, and it's really cool to see him run down on a punt and make a play like that and have some big blocks on some of the other ones."
