Do the Dolphins have the best LB group in the division?

[JonnyZ81]

Some people are going to call me a homer. But the Dolphins have some very good linebackers on this team. Having the 2008 AFC sack leader, Joey Porter, instantly makes this unit worthy of being in the upper half half of the divisional rankings. His 17.5 sacks are more than the combined 2008 sack totals of the Jets' projected starting linebackers this year. But the Dolphins are much more than just Porter. Channing Crowder, despite his lack of big plays, is a solid linebacker who really stepped up last year. His 113 tackles last year is more than any other current AFC East linebacker other than Jerod Mayo. And his 3.5 tackles for loss were more than Mayo and David Harris - and just as much as Bills' LB Paul Posluszny. Matt Roth really stepped up in his first year at linebacker - doing a terrific job setting the edge and stopping the run. It got to the point where teams made it a point to run away from Roth's side when he was on the field. And Roth picked up 5 sacks and 5 tackles for loss along the way. He's only going to get better, too.

http://www.thephinsider.com/2009/7/10/944092/around-the-afc-east-ranking-the

However, this guy - who is a Dolphins fan I believe - doesn't have the Dolphins #1. What do you guys think? Should they be ranked #1? Or are they good right where they are?

I'd say they should be #1 in the division. Joey Porter alone makes this unit that good. Roth is a beast against the run. They are deep now at outside linebacker - with Taylor and Wake as depth - and Channing Crowder is at least a very solid linebacker.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

Don't yet know. If Roth improves the way I hope - and think - and Wake and Taylor contribute the way I hope - and think - I would label out unit the best. While our ILB play won't be as sterling as the Jets or Pats, our OLB should be much better than either, and OLB is a more significant position in the 3-4 than ILB (not that ILB isn't important).

Lot of "ifs," though.

 

[ArmyFin7]

I think it depends on 2 things.

1) How effective is JT at getting to the QB? We already know Roth is pretty effective against the run. If JT can get some pressure on the QB, our pass rush will be scary good.

2) Can Crowder finally make some big plays? If he could just have 4 or 5 BIG plays throughout the season it would be a huge boost to our D.

Wake IMO is just a bonus. If the guy can pick up a few sacks throughout the yr it will just be a bonus. Also an insurance policy for our other OLB's.

 

[patswho?]

I'd say the pats are ahead of us

 

[McDolphins]

I'd have to put the Jets ahead of us just a little until I actually see the product on the field.

 

[dlockz]

I give us the edge. We have 5 starting level linebackers including Jason Taylor, not to mention Torbor was a starter for a super bowl winner although he did nothing last year. The jets are fairly close and have a superior DT to make thier linebackers job easier.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

If Porter and Taylor were younger I'd feel pretty positive about this unit. But we have to take into account that one or both could decline pretty quickly. Taylor didn't play well in Washington last year and Porter didn't do much for Miami in the final four games. Like it or not, that has to be considered. The Dolphins inside linebackers are average at best. I'm not expecting Crowder to suddenly start making big plays when he hasn't been that type of player throughout his career. I love Roth as a player, but he needs to be complimented by a pass rusher on passing downs (Taylor or Wake?). Who knows with Wake, Anderson and the others. I guess it really depends on whether Porter and Taylor can play at a high level. Otherwise we are near the bottom of the division. Honestly I think this unit will receive a lot of attention from the front office next offseason.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

I think a lot of people are going to be shocked at just how big and fast Wake is - 25 to 30 lbs bigger than he was when he came out of college. That size and athleticism should make up for some deficiencies in technique (assuming he has deficiencies).

Also, dlockz, I'm guessing you read Watchmen. Did you hate the film?

 

[Kdawg954]

I give us the edge. We have 5 starting level linebackers including Jason Taylor, not to mention Torbor was a starter for a super bowl winner although he did nothing last year. The jets are fairly close and have a superior DT to make thier linebackers job easier.

Ehhh, even without Gholston playing to potential as of yet . . . how can u argue with David Harris, Bart Scott and Calvin Pace . . . and Rex Ryan and his defensive mind with linebackers. I personalliy think he will turn Vernon into a beast at WOLB, and with Jenkins up front manning the NT, they are going to be tuff. Jets are clearly better at ILB and I probably give the edge to the Pats over the Fins with Bruschi and Mayo.

ILB ranks:

Jets
Pats
Fins

At OLB it gets interesting. The Fins have JT and JP . . . name wise they are the tops, but both guys are in their 30's, and nobody can be certain how much JT as left after last season. JP faded last year also due to the consistent double teams. Matt Roth does a tremendous job setting the edge on the run, but provides very little at pass rush. Wake is getting hype, don't know how much of a factor he will be tho. The Jets have a solid OLB with Calviin Pace . . . the big key is the jack LB, in which Gholston has alot of potential, but can he play OLB in this league. Bryan Thomas did his thing last year, but Rex wants Ghol to improve. If he does, the Jet are going to be nasty on defense. The Pats don't have Vrabel anymore, but Crable has looked good and they still have Adalius on the other side . . . decent.

OLB ranks:

Fins
Jets
Pats

Overall LB ranks:

Jets
Fins
Pats

If the Jets get solid production from Gholston . . . they take this easily. Fins have alot of potential, but I'm still concerned with the inside . . . they are average . . . Channing needs a big year. Pats are solid, but the age crept up on them, and they are putting in new guys, they still have the best front 3 of the 3 teams.

 

[JT-forpresident]

let's see...

if i had to make a starting 3-4 Linebacker corps, it would look like this:

SOLB: Adalius thomas (patriots)
ILB: Jerod Mayo (patriots)
ILB: Bart Scott (Jets)
WOLB: Joey Porter (Dolphins)

the 2nd team would be:

SOLB: Calvin Pace (jets)
ILB: Channing Crowder (dolphins)
ILB: David harris (Jets) / Poznulsny (Bills) (tied)
WOLB: Jason taylor (dolphins)

so all in all, the patriots also have bruschi and ??? at WOLB

the fins have JP and channing as two good starters, roth is IMO the third best SOLB, and JT even though he's a backup is better than any other WOLB in the division (for a 3-4, that is, because kawika mitchell is one good 4-3 willbacker) The fins also have a reliable Akin ayodele

The jets are also in good shape with scott, pace and harris, their WOLB is the weakest link

the bills are way behind in terms of 3-4 defence...


so i'd say:
1- Patriots
2- Dolphins
3- Jets
4- Bills

even though i think it's pretty close between the pats dolphins and jets... they're almost 1-a 1-b and 1-c in my mind...

 

[dlockz]

I think a lot of people are going to be shocked at just how big and fast Wake is - 25 to 30 lbs bigger than he was when he came out of college. That size and athleticism should make up for some deficiencies in technique (assuming he has deficiencies).

Also, dlockz, I'm guessing you read Watchmen. Did you hate the film?

I love the book and actually like the film very much. It was pretty damn close to the book, a few minor changes.

 

[ckparrothead]

I give us the edge. We have 5 starting level linebackers including Jason Taylor, not to mention Torbor was a starter for a super bowl winner although he did nothing last year. The jets are fairly close and have a superior DT to make thier linebackers job easier.

Are you feeling ok?

 

[ArmyFin7]

Are you feeling ok?

LOL, I was wondering the same.

 

[Farmer]

Ehhh, even without Gholston playing to potential as of yet . . . how can u argue with David Harris, Bart Scott and Calvin Pace . . . and Rex Ryan and his defensive mind with linebackers. I personalliy think he will turn Vernon into a beast at WOLB, and with Jenkins up front manning the NT, they are going to be tuff. Jets are clearly better at ILB and I probably give the edge to the Pats over the Fins with Bruschi and Mayo.

Overall LB ranks:

Jets
Fins
Pats

If the Jets get solid production from Gholston . . . they take this easily. Fins have alot of potential, but I'm still concerned with the inside . . . they are average . . . Channing needs a big year. Pats are solid, but the age crept up on them, and they are putting in new guys, they still have the best front 3 of the 3 teams.

i agree.

Jets get this one

 

[j-off-her-doll]

I love the book and actually like the film very much. It was pretty damn close to the book, a few minor changes.

Know this isn't the place for this, but I didn't think the changes were so minor. I appreciate the difficulties a director would have condensing the book into a film, but the beginning montage was a way of paying homage to what they couldn't cover more than actually addressing those scenes. Also, I don't like what they did with Rorschach or Dr. Manhattan. In the book, Rorschach's fire scene was one of the best, and it was completely altered. In the film it lost all meaning beyond the apparent. Also, Manhattan's time on Mars was altered in a similar fashion - and in the book was one of the two or three best scenes. And, of course, there's the end. I, too, love the book.

. . .

I think the Patriots LB group is too old - save for Mayo. They're just not what they were. Thomas was one of the best OLB's in the league. Now, he's just good. I'd rate them behind the Dolphins and Jets.