Derrick Shelby's role continues to grow with the Dolphins | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Derrick Shelby's role continues to grow with the Dolphins

DKphin

DKphin

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Shelby has played 127 snaps, spelling everyone on the defensive line the past four games, and that includes the 6-foot-2, 282 pounder taking snaps at defensive tackle. With Starks sidelined he's split the defensive tackle workload with rookie Anthony Johnson, and he played in a season-high 38 snaps against the Raiders.

The Dolphins consider Shelby the sixth man of the defensive line, which usually rotates the ends and tackles to keep the starters fresh in the fourth quarter.

"He's a smart football player," coach Joe Philbin said. "He's good fundamentally. He understands the techniques that we want to use. He practices them. He transfers them to the game on a consistent basis. He's got some flexibility, position flexibility. I don't know if we want to play him inside 50 plays a game necessarily, but he certainly can function in there."
Shelby's play was so steady he worked ahead of Dion Jordan, the team's 2013 first-round pick, in the defensive end rotation last season. And even when Jordan wasn't suspended Shelby, who has six tackles, two sacks, three quarterback hurries and recovered one fumble in Miami's first four games, has a higher standing in his unit because he's a more fundamentally sound player.
And that spot is one Shelby doesn't intend to relinquish when Jordan returns at the end of the month from his six-game suspension the NFL imposed on him for failing multiple drug test.

Numbers wise, you're only allowed to bring so many people to the game and Derrick is a versatile guy," defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said. "He gives us a guy that can rush the passer inside, he can play defensive end in the base packages. ... He is a very valuable player on our defense because he's very intelligent, he's got versatility. And when he plays he generally wins a lot more than he loses."
That's what the Dolphins hope Shelby can continue to do during his NFL career, which appears to be blossoming as the opportunities come for this former first-team All Pac-12 player, who started 40 games for the Utes.


"I'm just trying to do my part. At the end of the day if you're drafted, undrafted, that only really counts if you're just a guy. Everybody from all aspects of the team comes from different rounds, and some of the best player weren't drafted. You just have to be reliable," said Shelby, who worked his way back from a knee injury during OTAs. "I've proven that I can make plays when I'm out there. I don't want people to say I'm just a guy."
Click to expand...
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-dolphins-1003-20141002-story.html?track=rss
 
anyone that isn't a Shebly fan knows nothing about football. Wake, Vernon, Starks, Mitchell, Odrick, Shelby, Jordan, Fede...deepest DL in the NFL.
 
This is the first time I could remember that when you notice Cam Wake, Olivier Vernon, or whoever else, isn't in the game, you still feel mighty confident that we can get pressure on the QB. Can't remember seeing anything like this around the league since that Giants team terrorized Brady in the super bowl.
 
I think Fede will be the same kind of guy. Maybe not the most superior in terms of pass rush moves or explosiveness, but you're still getting a guy that's not going to give up ground and can come in without the defense losing much of anything.
 
Shelby was a brilliant undrafted free agent pick up. Somebody in the Dolphin organization recognized the potential after all 32 teams didn't want to draft him (maybe it was Ireland?).
Two questions:-
(a) Shelby is smart, dedicated, reliable and continues to improve. How did all 32 teams fail to recognize his potential at the Draft Combine?
(b) Who was the Dolphin scout who recognized Shelby's potential? Maybe it was luck but when we have someone who can identify talent that others don't see, maybe he should be teaching others in the organization.
 
I'm a fan. I really like every single one of our d-lineman. When the lbs come together our d is gonna be insane. And they are coming along !
 
SportsMiami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins' Derrick Shelby arrested in Fort Lauderdale

Sun Sentinel
Pro FootballDerrick ShelbyMiami DolphinsRandy Starks Chad Johnson
Miami Dolphins' defensive end Derrick Shelby was arrested Saturday in Fort Lauderdale.

A booking mug shot shows Shelby with a bloody and bruised face.

He was charged with resisting an officer and trespassing, court records show.

Shelby is four games into his third season in the NFL. He joined the Dolphins as an undrafted rookie from the University of Utah back in 2012 and has steadily worked his way up the depth chart.

His role and status on the team has grown each season, and so far he's contributed six tackles and two sacks as the top reserve defensive lineman. Because of Randy Starks' back injury the Dolphins have him playing both defensive end and defensive tackle.

Last year he produced 34 tackles, 23 of which were solo stops, 2.5 sacks and forced two fumbles.

Shelby is the first Dolphins player in legal trouble since former NFL receiver Chad Johnson was arrested for head-butting his then wife, reality television star Evelyn Lazado, during an altercation that took place during training camp of the 2012 season.

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His role has expanded into resident punching bag from the looks of his mug shots.
 
See what happens when you start bragging on someone.
 
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