It’s been a while since the Phins had even competent Linebackers
The Phins haven’t had a star linebacker since Zach Thomas over a decade ago. Forget about star linebacker, South Flordia hasn’t even had a decent linebacker group in quite some time. It’s not that they haven’t tried to get the situation right, though. Dolphins brass shook its moneymaker at Carlos Dansby and Dannell Ellerbe and even used blue-chips to draft Raekwon McMillan and Jerome Baker, but none of these moves were winners. This offseason Chris Grier took a few huge swings to fix the position. PAY PER HEAD SPORTSBOOK – GREAT ADVANTAGES.
So, did Miami finally turn the linebacker position into a strength?
The Dolphins signed Free Agent linebackers Kyle Van Noy, Kamu Grugier-Hill, and Elandon Roberts. Chris Grier also added Emmanuel Ogbah and Shaq Lawson, who will be edge players in Miami’s 3-4, which is linebacker-ish. In addition, the Dolphins added Curtis Weaver in the 5th round of the draft who is penciled in at Sam linebacker. Sure feels like Weaver hasa ‘Trey Flowers 2.0 sign’ all over him. No?
That’s quite a few new faces to bolster the front seven. Fans should be very happy with all this activity because Miami had needed plenty of improvement to their LBs after the 2019 Season.
Obviously, Kyle Van Noy is the real stud of this new cast. He has a great attitude to get the job accomplished, played for Flores in New England, and is the perfect player to lead Brian Flores’s defense because he can do it all! — Taking Bets on Sports – Offshore Sportsbooks.
PFF grade of Kyle Van Noy
Van Noy is the chess piece Flores will move all around the front seven, so despite the large contract, the addition was a great move. There’s a real chance Van Noy will be the best linebacker since Zach Thomas. Just look at his production over his three-and-a-half seasons in New England! Van Noy played in 51 regular-season games and totaled 250 tackles, with 16.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles (4 recoveries), 2 interceptions, and 3 defensive touchdowns. In 10 playoff games, he added 46 tackles with 5.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.
The Phins defense now has impact and clutch play at linebacker.
The other three presumed starters are Vince Biegel, Raekwon McMillan, and Jerome Baker:
Biegel is entering his fourth year in the league and has already played for 3 different teams in his first 3 seasons. However, he played well last year to have found a home on Miami’s defense–at least for 2019. Biegal didn’t sign an extension in the offseason, so he is betting on getting a bigger contract by having an excellent 2020 Season. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. If Biegal does play even better this year, he could very well price himself out of the Phins’ future. Maybe he’ll end up a place holder for Weaver who’ll take his spot next season?
Hey, even if Biegal moves on at least the good news will be that our coaching is actually better than in past years.
Will Miami add to their number failed blue-chip draft picks?
The other two starters are the ‘Ohio State boys’, which the sportsbook software is saying it’s their make or break season. McMillan is entering his 4th year and was drafted in the 2nd Round. Baker is entering his 3rd year and was drafted in the 3rd Round. While Miami spent blue-chip draft picks on both players, this coaching staff didn’t draft them. So despite their flashes, they haven’t been consistent enough.
Miami added Kamu Grugier-Hill and Elandon Roberts to the LB group this past offseason, so they will have no problem moving on from players that don’t perform up to expectation. This clearly puts Baker and McMillian in the crosshairs. I wouldn’t write either of them off, but I’d definitely use a pencil to write their names on Phins roster.
Do Miami Dolphins News fans think our linebacking group will finally become a strength instead of a weakness in 2020? — How Do Bookmakers Make Money From Sports Betting?
