Story by
Dolphins’ Jonah Savaiinaea impressed in preseason opener, possibly signaling Year 2 breakthrough
- Story by
- Dolphins’ Jonah Savaiinaea impressed in preseason opener, possibly signaling Year 2 breakthrough
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins second-year guard Jonah Savaiinaea impressed so much in Friday night's preseason opener that coach Jeff Hafley had to highlight his play in front of the team.
On Saturday, Hafley revealed he played clips of Savaiinaea coming off the ball with ferocity and driving back defenders, knocking them to the ground.
Advertisement
"Putting someone on the ground, man. That was the first play until the end," Savaiinaea said of his mindset after Monday's practice . "After that game, watching myself, I was like, 'I never done that in college. If I watch myself in college too, I've never like — I don't know why. I'll be honest, it was probably cardio in the Miami heat, that's been helping me.
"Just going out there and doing it, I was like, 'Oh s—, I got it.' "
"I got to give it up for Jonah," Hafley said in a Saturday web conference call with reporters . "I thought Jonah took a step. He was physical."
After Savaiinaea struggled as a rookie at left guard, his play in the first two series in his Dolphins right guard debut, albeit in an exhibition against the Washington Commanders, seemed to be the culmination of an offseason of dedicated work.
Advertisement
"It feels amazing, being able to be shouted out like that," Savaiinaea said of the coaching praise he received.
But he takes the humble approach after an outing that should leave observers encouraged he's bound to reach the potential that was seen in him back when Miami's previous regime traded up in the second round of the 2025 draft to select him.
Related Articles
"That's just us, the O-line unit, working as one," Savaiinaea said. "It wasn't just me on that field. All the guys made my job easy out there. (Center Aaron Brewer, right tackle Austin Jackson), being able to play between them, it really makes my job easy, as far as mentally and physically. Friday night, all I had to do was just go out there and play."
Advertisement
The big offseason storyline for Savaiinaea was his switch back to the right side of the line, where he made a name for himself in college at Arizona in order to become a touted draft prospect. That came to fruition for him in a game setting against Washington.
"It felt really good," he said. "Finally get to play — it's preseason — but an actual live game. At the end of the day, I'm proud of, not only myself, but as a whole unit, of how we pushed each other to become better on that field."
Savaiinaea looked more natural playing right guard. He played with an instinctive nature.
He noted he was having fun in Friday's game. As much as he surely enjoys playing the sport, he'd probably say that about most games, but there was likely a different degree of fun to be had being comfortable playing his new — and old — position.
Advertisement
Savaiinaea is thinking less and playing freely in his second season.
"It helps me play fast, just going out there thinking less," he said. "That's the name of the game right there. It's go out there and play."
Savaiinaea has put behind his struggles from his rookie season.
"I thank God for adversities, because, without them, I wouldn't be where I'm at today," he said. "It's okay to fail. It's August and I don't want to talk about last year anymore because that's like far, far behind me. I'm already moving forward. So, all I got to say is embrace those failures and adversities, because it'll help you in the long (run)."
Advertisement
Being the team-first player that Savaiinaea is, he loved that the first game action of the new season he saw resulted in a 14-play, 93-yard touchdown drive.
"Nothing beats that feeling," Savaiinaea said. "When the ball was spotted backed up, I looked at (rookie left guard Kadyn Proctor), I was like, 'Get ready. Buckle up. It's going to be a long one.' And it so happened to be his first drive."
Savaiinaea gets to work between Brewer and Jackson, when all are healthy, and that can work to his advantage, especially alongside Brewer, the second-team All-Pro last year.
"Every team should scheme him. He shouldn't be able to climb to the second level if that were me," Savaiinaea said. "But him being able to sneak up to the second level and not even touching a down lineman, that's what makes my job easy."
Advertisement
A breakthrough second season for Savaiinaea could jump-start his career and amplify the physical nature Hafley wants his team to play with.
