MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) – Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith looked up at the Jumbotron at Hard Rock Stadium and saw a piece of history etched next to his name.
He just broke Miami’s single-season records for receptions (76) and yards (802) by a tight end, making him the most productive player at the position in Dolphins history in his first year with the team. .
After the 29-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, Smith took a moment before explaining what the feat meant to him.
“I’m just feeling grateful right now,” Smith said. Yeah, this is a guy that has to execute consistently in this offense. ”This is the first time in my career that I have really come into my own, and this is my 8th year. And God’s timing was perfect. ”
Smith, one of Miami’s first free agent signings in March, was brought in to strengthen the Dolphins’ tight end position, which has always played the primary blocking role in coach Mike McDaniel’s offense. However, reinforcement was needed. Miami led the league in total offense in 2023, but was unable to get a touchdown from its tight ends.
The Dolphins didn’t exactly expect Smith to be one of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s primary targets. Tyreek Hill was coming off a season in which he led the NFL in receiving yards. Jaylen Waddle followed his third straight year with 1,000 yards receiving. The Dolphins then signed former All-Pro Odell Beckham Jr. as their third receiver option behind those two.
“Jonnu didn’t start off with huge numbers like he did in Week 1,” McDaniel said. “I think at the beginning of the season he was unblinking and worrying about the right things, which was worrying about getting better and being the best. As a result, he was a key contributor every week. ”
Smith’s numbers were modest at the start of the season. He had just 14 catches for 140 yards in the first five games, but caught seven passes for 96 yards and his first touchdown in Week 7 against Indianapolis.
Since then, Smith has recorded 55 receptions for 566 yards and six touchdowns. He has recorded at least 44 receiving yards in all but one game since Week 7, including a career-high 113 yards on 10 receptions against Green Bay on Thanksgiving. I am doing it.
“He impacts the game in a unique way and complements the rest of our players well,” McDaniel said. , Jonnu usually makes them pay.
Smith had no catches in regulation in overtime against the Jets in Week 14, catching all three targets for 44 yards.
Not the type of player to call for the ball or complain about lack of involvement, Smith went up to McDaniel at the end of that game and just looked at him.
“He came in and we signed a contract that reminded me of one play, so it’s constructive, but we know what it means,” McDaniel said after the win.
Smith employs a two-high safety look that limits Miami’s offense’s big-play ability and benefits from the increased attention the defense gives Hill and Waddle. As a result, Smith was often left behind, and his physicality allowed him to gain a lot of yards after the catch.
The result was the most productive season of his eight-year career. Smith ranks fourth among NFL tight ends in receiving yards and receptions, and is tied for fourth with six touchdowns.
Until 2024, Smith had never recorded more than 50 receptions and 600 receiving yards in a season since being selected by Tennessee in the third round of the 2017 draft. His most productive season coming into this season was last year in Atlanta, when he caught 50 of 582 passes. yards and 3 touchdowns.
“For Jonnu to come here and believe that I could be his quarterback,” Tagovailoa said. He’s open. Give him the ball and you’ll see what he does with it. I’ve heard he’s the standard safety blanket, so he’s my safety blanket so to speak. ”
Smith acknowledged that McDaniel’s system and Tagovailoa have shown potential over the years.
He said tight ends coach John Embree especially got the best out of him.
“I went over the line on one play and he’s freaking out over there,” Smith said. So just him holding me to such a certain standard and keeping that in the back of my mind, I’ve never been pushed that hard in my career and There were a lot of great coaches. ”
Copyright 2024 Associated Press. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
