Miami Dolphins Finest Moments of 2016: Kiko Alonso’s big plays
The Miami Dolphins made two major defensive moves in the 2016 offseason when they traded for Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso from the Philadelphia Eagles. Both made considerable contributions over the course of the season which included the fact that Maxwell was forced to step up as the leader of the secondary after Reshad Jones was lost for the season.
Through countless injuries, Maxwell made a positive impact on a secondary that crawled through the second half of the season. Alonso on the other hand was given the role of leader of the linebackers when he arrived in Miami on day one. Alonso had a very good season and seems poised for an even better showing in 2017.
Kiko Alonso, being the athletic playmaker he is, made two crucial plays, in two crucial games that sealed victories for the Miami Dolphins.
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The first was the incredible pick six of Philip Rivers in Miami’s game at San Diego. With just over a minute left on the clock with the game tied, and the Chargers driving easily into field goal range on the Miami 42-yard line, Kiko Alonso made arguably the most dynamic play of the year.
Rivers took the snap out of the gun, and as he was set to hike the ball, Alonso dropped back into coverage. It appeared that Phillip Rivers never saw Alonso. As Alonso dropped back into coverage he read Tyrell Williams’ drag route. Alonso undercut the route, easily intercepted the ball, and took it to the house to give the Miami Dolphins a 31-24 lead and their fourth win in a row.
In a game where the Dolphins were able to come away with four interceptions as a team, Alonso’s key pick six was a highlight of the 2016 season that Dolphins fans will surely remember.
Alonso also had a key tackle versus the San Francisco 49ers. In another game that came down to the wire, Kiko was a key contributor in keeping Colin Kaepernick — tongue twister– out of the end zone in the waning seconds of the Dolphins battle against the 9ers.
In yet another 31-24 victory for the Dolphins, Alonso stood strong on the goal line as the fleet of foot Colin Kaepernick scrambled to his right, cut back to his left, and was met by Ndamukong Suh and Kiko Alonso who delivered the back-breaking hit at the 2-yard line.
If I was a betting man, I would’ve guessed that the 49ers would have gone for two to try and win the game if Kaepernick was able to punch it in on the last play. The 1-9 49ers had nothing to lose in that situation, and the impact of a loss to San Francisco could not have been more detrimental to the early playoff chances of the Miami Dolphins.
Nonetheless, Kiko Alonso stepped up all year to help the Dolphins win football games, not just the two instances mentioned in this article. Alonso played hurt a good portion of the year and still produced.
It will be interesting to see where Alonso plays in 2017 whether it be on the inside or the outside depending on how Miami addresses the linebacker position during the off season.
One thing is for sure…Alonso has more than earned the role of the leader of the front seven for the Miami Dolphins.
READ MORE: Two linebackers that should top Miami’s free agent list
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