MIAMI GARDEN — Sitting at his new locker, both knees on ice, Jalen Ramsey was handed the phone of teammate DeShon Elliott with a video rolling a half-hour after Sunday’s win. Several other members of the secondary leaned closer to the scene.
The phone video involved Ramsey’s other big play Sunday, the one that wasn’t, the one earlier in the second quarter where his hit on New England running back Ezekiel Elliott sent the fumbled ball bouncing toward the sideline at the New England 32-yard line. The Dolphins’ Elliott made a play for it.
“I told him he should’ve picked it up and run it back,” Ramsey said.
The ball trundled out of bounds, he saw now, handing back the phone without a word. His standard, it was clear, was set. You either made big plays or you didn’t. Ramsey even downgraded his interception despite his baiting Jones into a sideline throw, then stepped in front of receiver Kendall Bourne with at the 10-yard line and began running down the sideline.
“It was a good play, but in order for it to be a great play, in order for me to help the team out a little more, I should have scored,” he said. “I’ve got to find a way to do that.”
He returned it 49 yards to the Patriots’ 40-yard line. New England’s scoring threat wasn’t just canceled, but the Dolphins added a field goal before half to widen their lead to 17-7.
The Dolphins have addition by rehabilitation. Ramsey’s return will be more impactful than any trade made in the NFL. When Xavien Howard returns to the other cornerback spot and safety Jevon Holland from concussion, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can begin playing with the kind of talented back end this team built.
Ramsey remembers the July practice where his left knee, “just popped or something.” His meniscus needed repair. The immediate question was when he’d return — or if he could this season. He was first told he’d be healthy by December.
“I wanted to beat that by a month,” he said.
He considered November.
“That was realistic,” he said.
But in the second game of the season at New England, Ramsey told coach Mike McDaniel — “during the game, on the field,” coach Mike McDaniel said — he’d be ready for the two team’s rematch in late October. He then told the team the last couple of weeks that he’d get an interception. That makes him two-for-two on predictions.
“I was telling everybody, ‘Yo, I’m going to be as advertised (Sunday),” Ramsey said. “Like Mike, I’m going to prove you right. Like (general manager Chris Grier), I’m going to prove you right. (Sunday) is going to be one of those day for me.”
This win didn’t just sweep this divisional series for the Dolphins or send them to 5-1 against New England over the past three years. It told of a talent gulf between the teams. The Dolphins have playmakers across their offense.
Their talent is starting to show on defense, and Ramsey enters his season with a portfolio like no other: three-time All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl ring.
His standards are that high, too. No need to ask DeShon Elliott about that fumbled ball. Just ask Ramsey about his interception. It was big, he knew. He expected bigger.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill catches a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill catches a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans cheer as the Miami Dolphins take on the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hands the ball off to running back Raheem Mostert against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs with the ball against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans cheer as the Miami Dolphins take on the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa runs with the ball against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa runs with the ball against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa gestures after running with the ball against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans cheer as the Miami Dolphins take on the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey intercepts a pass against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey runs with the ball after intercepting a pass against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey celebrates after intercepting a pass against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looks to throw against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. catches a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa before a play against the New England Patriots during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle celebrates with teammate Tyreek Hill after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa walks off the field after beating the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
