Dolphin D- Keeping The Band Together?

[So Be]

What leads you to believe that Taylor and Davis will be much improved? If you really want to rely on Carroll, Wilson and those two bums.....your gonna have a serious problem on your hands. Carroll and Wilson were decent but will they improve or regress?

JMO on Taylor, who I thought would be starting by the bye, and natural progression for rookies from year 1 to year 2. I may well be wrong, we shall see.

 

[So Be]

Anyone who has the opinion that the Dolphins defense underperformed this season loses a lot of credibility, in my opinion. Our offense averaged less than 20 points a game and that defense STILL kept us in almost every game. I can only think of 2 games where they played BAD - @Steelers @Saints.

Agree that overall the D played well. However, Ellerbe, Wheeler, Jones, and Wake (due to the injury problem) did under perform from a year ago.

Anyone who watched these guys in 2012, especially Ellerbe in the playoffs, should agree. IF he and the rest play up to their former selves, the run is not a problem, and we are a lot better. with no one new.

 

[So Be]

I would make a strong push to resign both and as others have commented on and I've said a few times on here before, I'd make a permanent move to a 30/20 front as I do believe our personnel suits this approach better than a 40.

From a personnel to position standpoint, I do think this Defense [and overall team would be better as more backers means more athletes on specials] puts the athletes in a better position

DL - Starks, Odrick, Soliai with some of the young'uns being developed and some FA depth also

OLB - OV and Jordan, and I would strongly consider switching Wheeler to the outside if they don't cut him based on finances… Just don't see him as an inside backer at all

ILB - I would like to see Misi inside, better range, strong at POA and better in coverage than Wheeler - alongside Ellerbe and looking at the likes of Skov/Bullough in the draft

DBs - as they are and hopefully Patterson can get/stay healthier and the 2 young draftees figure something out

As you may see, Wake is not listed. He's coming close to the end and he's not a good fit in the 34, he's a down end in the 40, so trade him to a contender and possibly pick up a 2nd round pick.

With some FA depth - I do believe we could be a better defense in a 30/20 front, but this would mean a change at the DC position.

Pat, well said, and mostly agree. I'm keeping Wake as a proven playmaker for a team who "can" contend. I love having the 3-4/4-3 options with the same players on the field, and do not think Coyle took full advantage of having that option this year. IMO, he can do a lot with these players flexibility to confuse QB's and OC's.

On a smaller scale, having a TE who can catch and block makes the D respect both, and it is more difficult on the D.