Chris Perkins: Dolphins' defense is biggest disappointment of early season

"Weaver's unit sustained heavy losses in the offseason, losing players such as defensive tackle Calais Campbell and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, a pair of likely Hall of Famers. The Dolphins carelessly replaced them with defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, the first-round pick who is a part-time starter, a few lower-round draft picks and a few veterans who were castoffs from their former teams."

"The defense has been an unmitigated disaster. If the defense is disastrous Thursday at Buffalo, it's probably all over for coach Mike McDaniel. And it'll make it tough to whole-heartedly endorse Weaver to become interim head coach. Weaver, a hot prospect for head coach jobs after interviewing with Chicago, Atlanta, Washington and New Orleans in recent years, remains the odds-on favorite for interim coach if McDaniel is fired."

"But if you're one of those who think this team has lost faith in McDaniel, don't you have to consider that same opinion for the defense under Weaver? I'm a Weaver fan, but there's room for questioning. Linebacker Willie Gay, perhaps the most impressive player in training camp. rarely sees the field. Safety Iffy Melifonwu has already lost his starting job. They've consistently had blown assignments, missed tackles and seemed low on energy. The defense appears uninspired and unprepared."

Despite expectations for a strong unit under coordinator Anthony Weaver and a fearsome front seven, the Dolphins' defense suffered significant offseason neglect, particularly at cornerback. The team lost veteran standouts Calais Campbell and Jalen Ramsey and replaced them with part-time starter Kenneth Grant, lower-round picks and veterans cast off by other teams. The defense has produced blown assignments, missed tackles and low energy, with players like Willie Gay rarely seeing the field and safety Iffy Melifonwu losing his starting role. Opponents scored on the first 10 Dolphins' defensive possessions to open the season, increasing scrutiny on the coaching staff.

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