This could not have started any better for head coach Adam Gase.
As head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Gase’s team sits atop the AFC East in first place – following a 28-20 win over Oakland on Sunday. With the victory, the Dolphins are 3-0 and the defense should be credited for much of its success. Regardless of teams passing on former University of Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick within the first 10 picks of this year’s draft, Gase and Miami are thrilled that it took the two-time All-American with the 11th overall pick.
Fitzpatrick has been instrumental in each of the last three games, including a performance of 10 tackles versus the Raiders. He accounts for 19 tackles thus far, placing him second on the team behind linebacker Kiko Alonzo.
During his tenure with the Crimson Tide, the New Jersey native proved to be an instinctive playmaker. He assisted the program to two College Football Playoff national championships (2015, 2017), tallied nine career interceptions and won a host of individual honors in 2017 – including both Chuck Bednarik and Jim Thrope awards prior to the draft.
Fitzpatrick will get an opportunity to victimize one of the greatest quarterbacks to play in the National Football League next week. Miami is scheduled to travel to Foxborough, Mass., to battle Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
