Reshad Jones and Koa Misi have been making a big impact on defense

Written by Matthew Cannata at 8:30 AM EST | Twitter: @PhinManiacs

The Miami Dolphins have gotten a jolt of energy with the return of several players coming back from injuries. More specifically, Reshad Jones and Koa Misi have made a huge impact on and off the field in their return to the team.

“It’s been a big boost without a doubt,” Joe Philbin said. “I think Reshad (Jones) has played at a high level. It’s great to have Koa Misi back on the field. I thought he was very active yesterday. There were a lot of pictures on the film yesterday of our D-linemen (defensive linemen) and Koa, when he was blitzing, playing with leverage, taking their offensive linemen and moving them backward, which is really encouraging to see. Dion Jordan in his two games back has made a nice contribution, so there is no question those guys have helped.”

Defensive Coordinator Kevin Coyle said that they have made such a big difference in terms of calling out various coverages, adjusting the other players on defense and really being able to read the quarterback to get an extra jump on the play.

“I think it makes a big difference. As I mentioned to you guys last week, I think Reshad is playing about as well as he’s played, with the exception of the tipped ball that him and (Brent) Grimes were fighting over (joking), but he’s playing terrific. He’s tackling well, he’s a physical presence, he’s playing with the best awareness that I’ve seen him play with.”

“Koa Misi is a force, he really is, you see him out there on Sunday. There were a couple of shots of him, you talk about compressing the pocket, we blitzed him a couple of times and he literally, there was one shot where it looked like he about lifted one of their guards up off his feet and dropped them on the quarterbacks lap. When he hits people they feel it. There was a couple of tackles that he made down the field, Koa is a guy that you’ve got to watch out for, a little friendly fire down there, when the pile is going Koa is coming a million miles an hour and you hope that he doesn’t hit one of our own guys, especially those little guys in the back.” 

There is no doubt that the defense is much better with Jones and Misi out on the field and Sunday’s game proved just that. They’ll look to continue their great play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

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