Chris Perkins: If you think the Dolphins’ defense will be good this year, just wait until next year

MIAMI GARDENS — Tyreek Hill said he didn’t really know the plays last season. The Dolphins All Pro wide receiver said he’d basically just run to spots and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would get the ball to him.

Keep that comment and similar comments in mind this week, and this season, when you look at the Dolphins’ defense and when you listen to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Also keep that in mind as the Dolphins prepare for Sunday’s opener at the Los Angeles Chargers.

Because if you think the Dolphins’ defense will be good this year, just wait until you see this defense next year, when players have a year of Fangio’s system under their belts.

Year Two is almost always better than Year One.

This is a building process, not a one-year wonder.

It’s the same deal with this year’s offense now that players have a year of coach Mike McDaniel’s system under their belts. The offense, which was sixth in the league last year at 364.5 yards per game, should be better this year.

This year’s Dolphins defensive players will be going through the same learning curve as Hill and the offensive players went through last year.

The Dolphins were 15th in total defense last season at 337.8 yards per game. They were 27th against the pass (234.8 ypg), fourth against the run (103.0 ypg) and 24th in scoring defense at 23.5 points per game.

They should be better this year.

And as good as the defense is this year, it should be even better next year.

That doesn’t mean to disregard what happens with the Dolphins’ defense this year. It should be an exciting year for the defense.

It simply means you need to understand this year is setting the table for next year, when All Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey is available for an entire season and most of this year’s other starters return.

In August, Hill talked about being in Year Two of the McDaniel offense versus Year One.

“Last year I was just out there running routes and just getting open,” Hill said. “But this year I completely understand the offense, and how to use leverage against (defensive backs) and know where I need to be at in certain coverages. Everything has slowed down man.”

This is what happens in the first and second years of a new system.

Guys say they understand it in Year One, that everything is great, that the new system is a breath of fresh air.

And then in Year Two they’ll admit they didn’t fully grasp the system in Year One.

It’s happening with the Dolphins’ offense, and it’ll happen with the Dolphins’ defense.

Year Two almost always comes with a better understanding than Year One.

The key is still being able to accomplish big things in Year One.

It sounds as though the Dolphins’ defense is on that path.

They just have to be patient.

“Being patient is the ultimate goal,” safety Jevon Holland said.

The comments about Fangio’s defensive system, which features two deep safeties instead of an eight-man front, fewer blitzes and zone coverage instead of man-to-man, among other things, have been all over the place.

Some guys say it allows them to make more plays.

Some guys say it’s complicated.

Some guys say there are subtleties to it.

“I think it’s a complicated defense in terms of scheme and how the offense sees it, but for us, it’s kind of easy to learn,” edge rusher Bradley Chubb said. “Especially the outside linebackers, we don’t have too much verbiage and stuff like that that we have to go through. So it’s easier for us.

“But I know those guys on the back end, they work together, they study together, they do all those things to make sure they get it.”

Defensive players are saying all the right things now.

But it usually takes a year to smooth out the process.

Look at the offense.

Tagovailoa and McDaniel have mentioned the long play calls. The plays aren’t any shorter this season. McDaniel is just counting on the quarterbacks to have a better familiarity.

Tagovailoa gave an example recently and challenged media members to repeat the play.

“All right, we got north right clamp south fox H top pass 38 top Gumby XP sweat,” he said. “Let’s go.

“Anyone? Sounds like a pre-snap penalty to me.”

In theory, the Dolphins should be much better this year. It’s the second year in the new offense, and the first year in the new defense.

The thing for the defense to remember is to be patient because as good as things should be this season, things should be even better next season.

And if in doubt, follow Hill’s advice.

“I feel like if I was on defense,” Hill said, “the message is easy: just play fast and run to the ball.”