Many sports media types, myself included, went on and on about the Dolphins parting with Pro Bowl level talent. Whether it’s Jarvis Landry at wideout, Mike Pouncey at center or Ndamukong Suh at defensive tackle in the offseason. However, the success they had against the New York Jets in their 20-12 is proof of addition by subtraction in the Dolphin rosters. After all, how does one argue with 2-0 after so many were saying 3-13 for the season?

Who has replaced Pouncey’s protection?

By now you are likely aware that Daniel Kilgore has filled the roster spot, but that’s not the only thing that has helped the Dolphins offensive line move past Pouncey. Frankly, it’s the health of the offensive line in the middle that’s a big factor. I know it seems insane to cite health fresh off of losing starting left guard Josh Sitton, but to have enough depth to fill in with a player like Ted Larson who was a starter last year for this team speaks volumes.

Also acquiring a hard-nosed runner like Frank Gore to join Kenyan Drake in the running back committee delivers another aggressive ball carrier for depth in the ground game. Both guys are also stable in protection when called upon in the backfield.

Having better health in the line overall compared to 2017 where only two offensive linemen at the top of the depth chart started more than 10 games isn’t directly replacing Pouncey. However, the increase in prowess provided by Kilgore and Sitton (for a short time he was available) led to this team changing their identity to a run-first ground-and-pound offense.

How Jarvis Landry’s production has been replaced

I could end this section quickly by saying, “they run the ball now”– But that is an oversimplification of what head coach Adam Gase has schemed with some of the new toys brought in to move the ball.

Kenny Stills is still on the roster as the deep threat, but the addition of Danny Amendola and Albert Wilson has augmented this receiver corps into a skilled group perfect for a management style offense. This also relieves pressure put on quarterback back Ryan Tannehill from having to win it all with his arm.

Heck, the Dolphins first play run was a fake handoff to Gore for a twenty yard Tannehill scamper — fresh off an ACL tear last year too. If that doesn’t scream creative ball-control style attack, what does?

Maybe a wildcat play to Wilson to set up Drake’s first-quarter touchdown scamper? Then when Wilson makes a mid-level catch and then into the New York end zone for six because the defense is spread so far apart, the scheme effectiveness becomes evident. All this even with two fumbles and a missed throw for what surely would have been a score to Wilson.

How the Dolphins replaced Ndamukong Suh’s presence

While the Pouncey and Landry departures were fixed more directly through free agency, adjusting for Suh came from the defense changing their focus. Back in the offseason, the coaching staff had said this defense was improved even with Suh gone. There were questions in their ability to stop the run in the preseason. But when you manage to grind down the clock with an offense gobbling enough ground yards for Gore to become the NFL’s fourth highest all-time rusher in yards, that opponent playing catch-up is less inclined to run the ball.

That then plays into the acquisition of Robert Quinn pairing up with Cameron Wake to attack the passer. All this and drafting Minkah Fitzpatrick at safety as someone who is already in the defensive rookie of the year conversation.

When the Jets are double teaming both defensive ends on the outside and are still fail to complete a pass because of the coverage as it occurred in the Jets’ second-to-last drive in the first half, that is the ultimate example of what this Miami defense is trying to do.

Sure, the Jets made their share of mistakes in this contest and handed the Dolphins some opportunities, but in 2017, it’s not a given that those turnovers would be rolled into 14 points on the board. Hopefully, the trend continues when they return home to Hard Rock Stadium to battle the Raiders.