MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith performed an instrumental position in creating Darren Waller right into a Professional Bowl tight finish effectively earlier than Waller determined to come back out of retirement to affix the Dolphins.
It’s one of many causes Waller would solely come again to taking part in soccer if it was beneath Smith.
Smith, who had Waller as tight ends coach with the Raiders from 2018 to 2020, received emotional Monday when he spoke to their relationship as Waller returns after being traded from the New York Giants.
“It’s why you do that,” Smith stated. “It’s the connections you have got with guys. His journey is absolutely distinctive, and it’s a whole lot of the explanation I’m right here right now. To have the ability to share it once more with him is absolutely cool, and to listen to him and the place he’s at mentally and the way he needs to contribute and simply be part of the workforce once more is an superior second due to who he’s as a person after which what he can present as a participant.
“I’m glad it labored out as a result of I bear in mind once I left Vegas and it was a type of the place it was simply, that’s like a little bit brother. To have the ability to share it once more is superior, and I’m excited to see what he’s going to have the ability to convey for us.”
Waller has began camp on the physically-unable-to-perform checklist as a result of, whereas coach Mike McDaniel stated he’s in great form, he doesn’t wish to rush him into soccer exercise proper out of retirement.
The Dolphins are working to get him caught on top of things earlier than he makes his technique to the follow discipline.
“The very first thing that basically impressed me about him is his means to shortly grasp the offense,” Miami tight ends coach Jon Embree stated. “He has grasp on it, fairly good grasp on the main points initially beginning out, in order that’s clearly large as a result of that enables us to do extra with him and transfer him round within the formations and all that.”
However at 6-feet-6, Waller additionally has the bodily instruments.
“His vary, his catch radius,” stated Embree, who has a prolonged resume teaching the place. “In all probability not since Tony (Gonzalez) or Jordan Cameron have I had a man that has that form of radius so far as catching the ball. So, (quarterback) Tua (Tagovailoa) ought to like that.”
Whereas Embree stated it’ll be good to get Waller working with Tagovailoa in follow quickly, he talked about they’ve thrown collectively and he’s not too involved about creating chemistry with the quarterback.
“On the finish of the day, him and Tua on a stick route, they need to be capable of do this of their sleep,” he stated.
Waller’s skillset ought to assist ease the transition to now not having Jonnu Smith at tight finish.
“Clearly, shedding Jonnu, making an attempt to switch that piece with him along with his pass-catching and his route-running means,” Embree stated. “He’s all the time been one of many higher route-runners within the league at that place. So it’ll be good seeing him doing that for us.”
Smith famous similarities within the model of the West Coast offense Miami runs to what Waller had beneath Gruden with the Raiders.
“He’s extraordinarily clever and works his butt off, so I’ll ensure that he may have all of it down,” Smith stated. “After I ask him questions, it’s wonderful what he’s capable of fireplace off actually shortly. On the Raiders, he lined up all over the place. He lined up within the backfield, tight finish, extensive receiver. He traces up wherever works, so he’s very keen and able to handing him a load of doing no matter is critical for what we’ll want him to do.”