Houston We Have a Problem
When the Dolphins entered the 2014 season, every sports gambling fan and everyone in the Miami organization knew that the linebacking crew was one of the weakest units on the entire team. The Dolphins had too many other holes to fill, and they still were holding out some hope that Wheeler and Ellerbe would be able to step up their play and finally start earning their paychecks. Instead, Ellerbe got injured in the first game of the season and never returned, and will most likely be released in March. Wheeler battled injuries all year as well, but even when he did play, he proved to be a liability against both the run and the pass. The one good thing that came out of these two players’ injuries was that Jenkins was able to get on the field and proved to be a tackling machine and a decent coverage guy.
This off-season the Dolphins need to make upgrading the talent at the linebacker position one of their top priorities. Most free bookie software fans would say that the Dolphins will most likely use at least one of their upcoming draft picks on a linebacker, but they should also look to free agency to find some help as well. The Dolphins definitely need a true middle linebacker, so they can then move Misi back to his more natural outside linebacker position. One of the best middle linebackers to hit the free-agent market is Dallas’ middle linebacker, Rolando McClain. However this is the same McClain that had off-field issues, and then retired 2 years ago, and then came back last season. Don’t get me wrong, he is a talented player and helped Dallas turn around their rush defense, but he is also a wild card in the head, so it’s not the safest bet that he will be able to stay on the straight and narrow and continue to keep his focus on football.
The best linebacker to hit free agency this off-season will be Justin Houston from the Kansas City Chiefs. He is not the true middle linebacker that we are in desperate need of, but there is no denying that he is one of, or if not the best outside linebackers in the game. This guy is the definition of a sack machine. He tallied up an astronomical 22 sacks this season along with 68 tackles and 4 forced fumbles. Hypothetically speaking, if Houston could duplicate this year’s performance in the 2015 season that would be a heck of a lot of sacks to add to the Dolphins team total. The Dolphins had 39 sacks last year which ranked them tied for 16th best in the league, or in other words average. If Houston were added to the team and even if he were only able to get 10 sacks, something he has done 3 out of his 4 seasons, then he would make Miami one of the top sacking teams in the league. Sacks are a huge element in a game. Sacks can drive killers, they can be game-changers, they can lead to errant throws, they can lead to interceptions, and they can lead to fumbles.
Houston would immediately upgrade the linebacking unit, and he would be a great addition in the pass rush with Wake and Vernon. A player of his caliber would make Brady and Belichick stay up at night. He is also the type of player that can make a good defense become a great defense. Miami may not have him on their radar, but they should. What does the rest of Phins fans think about making a push for Houston?
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Inside Line Backer I agree this defensive position the player must possess skills to defend New England 6’6 tight end into coverage, strong enough to breakaway from defenders and stop the run, Able to control the middle. Especially when the Raven or the Patriarch decide to run on 4th and 1. This position should not be left to mediocre players. JOBs are on the line this season no joke folks! You stated it! The type of player that can make a good defense become a great defense.
In this draft I don’t see a true Inside Line backer without reaching to the number 30 spot in the 1st. But Eddie Goldman and Malcolm Brown will make a “D” a Great “D”.
In the Coyle D, the MLB does not cover the TE down the field. We dont play a base cover 2 where the MLB is responsible for the hole. Coyle assigns a nickle (Wilson unfortunately) w a S playing zone over top (which does not work) or depending on field position and down and distance an OLB w S over top playing zone (again does not work). Reason this fails is that smart teams like Patriots pull the S away with the Slot WR and exposes the Nickle or OLB coverage on Gronk or any other good TE.
The real flaw is that the Fins dont press Gronk (or any TE) at the LOS allowing him to free release and Brady can time up with the patterns and is accurate. The only way to cover a franchise TE is to maul him at the LOS, play trail, and have him manned up with another physical styled S.
One MLB that would NOT be a reach in the first round, in my opinion, is Butkus Award winner Eric Kendricks from UCLA. Over 470 tackles in his college career, strong against both the run and the pass, and excellent in reading and diagnosing plays. He has the agility and speed to cover TE’s and LB’s in the NFL, and can shed blocks well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x24S4ce1h3s
Yes Kendricks would definitely be a candidate and I love all that he is a tackling machine and that he is a true middle linebacker. I have no problem drafting a player of his caliber withe the first pick