DE Olivier Vernon
The Dolphins’ rookie class might not make a huge impact right away in 2012, other than right tackle Jonathan Martin, who has been the starter from Day 1. Ryan Tannehill will probably start the season as the No. 3 quarterback, Michael Egnew is running as the fourth or fifth tight end currently, Lamar Miller might be relegated to kickoff duty until coaches feel comfortable with his blocking ability and late-rounders like Josh Kaddu and B.J. Cunningham can’t expect to do much than special teams this year.
But Vernon, the third-round pick, looks like he’ll be an impact player sooner rather than later. Even though he played just 16 games in an abbreviated college career at the University of Miami, the Dolphins believe that the stout 6-3, 260-pound defensive end has is already a polished pass rusher. Vernon has played so well in camp that he will likely be installed as the right defensive end in the Nickel package right away.
“He’s got big strong hands, he can play on either side, he’s got some natural pass rush skills, he’s hard to knock off the ball,” Jeff Ireland said on SiriusXM this week. “I’m very proud of him so far. He’s really made an impact in camp, and probably will continue to do so.”
4. RB Marcus ThigpenBut Vernon, the third-round pick, looks like he’ll be an impact player sooner rather than later. Even though he played just 16 games in an abbreviated college career at the University of Miami, the Dolphins believe that the stout 6-3, 260-pound defensive end has is already a polished pass rusher. Vernon has played so well in camp that he will likely be installed as the right defensive end in the Nickel package right away.
“He’s got big strong hands, he can play on either side, he’s got some natural pass rush skills, he’s hard to knock off the ball,” Jeff Ireland said on SiriusXM this week. “I’m very proud of him so far. He’s really made an impact in camp, and probably will continue to do so.”
Speaking of making an impact, it seems like every time you look up from your notes, there’s a little guy streaking across the field with the football and making big plays. You see a “4” on his jersey and at first you expect it to be Lamar Miller, who wears No. 44. Then you take a closer look and it’s Thigpen, wearing No. 34. Not that Miller hasn’t had a good camp – the coaches have been impressed with his blocking, though Sherman said he dances in the hole too much – but Thigpen, 26, sure does seem to make a lot of plays.
Thigpen, a little rocket at 5-foot-9 and 192 pounds, was the first player in Canadian Football League history to score a touchdown five different ways – run, catch, kickoff return, punt return, missed field goal return. During camp he has displayed great hands, and is fearless catching the ball over the middle when coming out of the backfield. Like Miller and Bush, he’s a total mismatch for a linebacker or safety.
Unfortunately for Thigpen, his chances of sticking on the 53-man roster aren’t great, as Bush, Miller and Daniel Thomas have spots locked up, and Steve Slaton seems to have a leg up for the final spot.
But while Thigpen is running fifth on the running back depth chart, his chances of making the roster or practice squad are much better now than they were two weeks ago. New coach Joe Philbin listed Thigpen as the starting kickoff returner, and he’s clearly impressed enough that the coaches want to see if he’s worth keeping around as a returner and flex player.
5. DE Derrick ShelbyThigpen, a little rocket at 5-foot-9 and 192 pounds, was the first player in Canadian Football League history to score a touchdown five different ways – run, catch, kickoff return, punt return, missed field goal return. During camp he has displayed great hands, and is fearless catching the ball over the middle when coming out of the backfield. Like Miller and Bush, he’s a total mismatch for a linebacker or safety.
Unfortunately for Thigpen, his chances of sticking on the 53-man roster aren’t great, as Bush, Miller and Daniel Thomas have spots locked up, and Steve Slaton seems to have a leg up for the final spot.
But while Thigpen is running fifth on the running back depth chart, his chances of making the roster or practice squad are much better now than they were two weeks ago. New coach Joe Philbin listed Thigpen as the starting kickoff returner, and he’s clearly impressed enough that the coaches want to see if he’s worth keeping around as a returner and flex player.
Every training camp produces a surprised undrafted rookie or two, and this year it’s Shelby, who started 40 games at Utah and was a First Team All-Pac 12 defender last year with five sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Shelby, 6-2 and 266 pounds, started at both left and right end at Utah, and has climbed ahead of veteran Jamaal Westerman to be listed as the primary backup at left defensive end.
Shelby still has a lot to prove during camp, and must hold off Westerman, Jaquies Smith, Jarrell Root and others to win one of the final roster spots. But he’s in the driver’s seat right now, and could make Westerman, who signed a one-year deal after spending four years with the Jets, expendable.
http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thed...gh-two-weeks-of-miami-dolphins-training-camp/
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