Ellerbe and Wheeler Problem | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Ellerbe and Wheeler Problem

AJ Duhe

AJ Duhe

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I'm completely dumbfounded as to how these two have played so poorly this year. Are they being asked to do too much in the scheme? Did Ireland not consult with any coaches or scouts on these two before signing them?

I would strongly consider starting Dion Jordan in Wheeler's spot RIGHT NOW. Coyle is worried about Jordan getting overwhelmed with assignments and being able to play the run effectively, but I would argue that he will do a better job than Wheeler on most assignments. At least if we start him in Wheeler's spot, we know he'll do a good job in coverage assignments, and he'll definitely be a more effective pass rusher.

I'm also afraid that we now have a hole at MLB to address in the draft.
 
I wish dion played wlb and have posted about it before. neither wheeler or Ellerbe can take on a block. I don't get it. I want to draft a young stud MLB or linebackers in general bc the depth sucks.
 
We need a stud linebacker, preferably in the middle, that's obvious. Is there a Luke Kuechly in this year's draft?
 
Neither guy is THAT bad... wheeler is close.. I know the money is high but lets not act like they are just getting beat up out there. Ellerbe has been fine
 
This thread is pretty bad... Ellerbe is decent, albeit a little overpaid. Wheeler has his ups and downs. Both are a part of a much improved pass defense at the expense of a worse run defense.

Overall, our defense as a whole is significantly better this year than last, and both of these guys are not only starters, but our primary starting 2 LB's. Moreover, Ellerbe calls all the plays for the defense.

And to top it all off, they're both players playing in a new scheme, new system, with new players, Ellerbe is in a completely new position (MLB in a 4-3 as opposed to 3-4). Give them a chance, because as it stands right now, our OFFENSE, OFFENSIVE PLAYCALLING, and halftime adjustments are the problem, not the defense or any one player in it.
 
Dansby's mouth is what got him in trouble. by critising the coaches and front office on top of mediocre production on the field signed his ticket out of town. Ellerbe has stepped in and played well, providing more big plays (he has two INTs this season, Dansby had 1 in three seasons). Wheeler has been disappointing. He has not been an upgrade at OLB.

What has been flustrating is Dansby and Burnett have had better seasons this year than at in point in their time in Miami.
 
But if you look at Buffalo's Kiko Alonso drafted in the 2nd round, with his speed and all of the tackles he is able to make, we appear to have overpaid Wheeler significantly.
The irony is that he was a known tackling machine in Oregon, and we know that Ireland and the scouts watched a lot of Oregon video to have moved up for his roommate and best buddy, Dion Jordan.
Kuechly is a stud and we had our chance to get him, but we needed to get Tannehill at the #8 slot the year before. Kuechly went to Carolina at the #9 slot. We cannot complain about that. We got the young QB we needed to have drafted for many years. I tend to concur that Ellerbe is pretty decent and Wheeler is making progress. Hopefully they are both in form for the playoffs.
 
All 3 starting LB's are solid.

None are super stars or difference makers.

Ellerbe and Wheeler are both over paid.

I think that is everyones issue. Ellerbe and Wheeler are not worth the money, but are still solid LB's.
 
When is the last time a linebacker (other than Misi) has made an impact tackle behind the line of scrimmage? They are both slow to react to their zones in the passing defense. They take poor angles and can't get off a block. Wheeler is at least a 3 miss tackle a game machine.

With that being said, I hope they improve for a playoff run.
 
Both guy's could improve. We kind of took a chance on some talented young LB's hoping one or both would have a break out year (like a Charles Clay). Yes, they both need to be more stout against the run and that may happen after another off season, but they seem to be a little better against the pass. I am for Dion Jordan moving to OLB. Dansby and Burnett were never going to get better VS the pass and are both on the downside of their careers.
 
I think the biggest area if improvements is how we cover the TE & RB (minus the Saints game). They are not dominant but they cover & blitz better than Dansby & Burnett did.
 
They've been far better in coverage than Dansby and Burnett, which is another reason (along with Grimes and an improved pass rush) why our pass defense has been way better this year.

For further evidence, take a look at how "historically" bad Arizona has been covering TE's this year...hmm, isn't that where Dansby went?

True, we lose a little strength in run defense, I'm sure the front office hoped our stacked D-line would be able to do a better job protecting ellerbe on runs, like how Bowens and Gardener used to do for Zach.

But with the direction the league is heading, I'd much rather have an awesome pass defense than a strong run defense. As we've seen over the past few years...especially when Parcells was calling the shots...the bigger, stronger, but slower defenses just aren't as effective in today's NFL.
 
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