The Dolphins need more pass-rush from their young ends -- the defensive linemen had just 9.5 sacks in '08 (3.5 by unemployed veteran Vonnie Holliday) -- and training camp has produced mixed results so far. Second-year end Lionel Dotson (10.5 sacks in 40 games at the University of Arizona) flashed pass-rush skills on the third team last week; coach Tony Sparano told general manager Jeff Ireland he likes how Dotson ``is motoring pretty hard all the time.''
But it was discouraging to hear Phillip Merling (one sack last year) admit he did not practice as hard as he should early in camp -- he shouldn't need backup-type Tony McDaniel replacing him on the first team to motivate him. McDaniel has been with the first team since Tuesday.
• Receiver Davone Bess is much stronger and more muscular, which he said will help him get off press coverage. ``Quickest receiver I've ever faced,'' cornerback Eric Green said.
• Linebacker Cameron Wake generated a strong pass rush in recent days, and Jake Long said it's clear to him Wake's skills will translate from the CFL. ``He plays low to the ground and has the strength to bull through you,'' Long said. ``And he has a nice spin move.'' . . . Expect a more daring defense. Channing Crowder said coordinator Paul Pasqualoni ``wants to blitz a lot more this year.''
• How happy is safety Gibril Wilson to be here instead of Oakland again? ``Here, there's structure. There's no structure there.'' But an NFC executive cautioned, ``He's not an ideal cover guy and struggles in space. He's better as a blitzer.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/columnists/barry-jackson/story/1177825.html
But it was discouraging to hear Phillip Merling (one sack last year) admit he did not practice as hard as he should early in camp -- he shouldn't need backup-type Tony McDaniel replacing him on the first team to motivate him. McDaniel has been with the first team since Tuesday.
• Receiver Davone Bess is much stronger and more muscular, which he said will help him get off press coverage. ``Quickest receiver I've ever faced,'' cornerback Eric Green said.
• Linebacker Cameron Wake generated a strong pass rush in recent days, and Jake Long said it's clear to him Wake's skills will translate from the CFL. ``He plays low to the ground and has the strength to bull through you,'' Long said. ``And he has a nice spin move.'' . . . Expect a more daring defense. Channing Crowder said coordinator Paul Pasqualoni ``wants to blitz a lot more this year.''
• How happy is safety Gibril Wilson to be here instead of Oakland again? ``Here, there's structure. There's no structure there.'' But an NFC executive cautioned, ``He's not an ideal cover guy and struggles in space. He's better as a blitzer.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/columnists/barry-jackson/story/1177825.html