Hyde5: This stat shows why Dolphins kept Koa Misi

[jim1]

One question of the Dolphins off-season was why they soldiered on with linebacker Koa Misi,even at minimal cost, considering his age and developing injury history.
Misi is 30, and his season-ending neck injury was the latest and most serious in a string of injuries the last several years. He has played three, 13 and 11 games the last three years.

Well, here’s a quick reason for why they kept him so far: On a run-challenged defense, he’s good. The stats back that up. The Dolphins introduced the wide-nine defense last year that asks a lot of linebackers. Some, like Jelani Jenkins and Spencer Paysinger, struggled in it. Misi, in an admittedly small sample size, did well in stats filtered by Chris Kouffman, a committed NFL student (and former “Draft Winds” co-author, for veteran readers of this blog).

In the 64 rushing plays Misi was in last year, the opponents (Seattle, New England and Cleveland) gained 210 yards. That’s a 3.28-yard average. That means in the 38 rushing plays he wasn’t in the game, those opponents rushed for a 6.1-yard average (38 carries for 232 yards). In the 450 rushing plays Misi wasn’t in last year, the defense surrendered 5.03 yards per carry.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/dave-hyde-blog/fl-sp-hyde5-koa-misi-20170327-story.html

 

[Phinatic8u]

I always thought this. As a SLB Misi is phenomenal.

He plays the run excellent, and is a sure tackler. His problem is health.

 

[uk_dolfan]

I always thought this. As a SLB Misi is phenomenal.

He plays the run excellent, and is a sure tackler. His problem is health.

When healthy Misi has always been a solid player, but I am not sure than even his mother would call him phenomenal

 

[mwestberry]

It's amazing hoe one player can have such an impact in a team oriented sport...I wonder why he made such a difference....Why can't a scheme adjustment cover a missing linebacker when there are 2 other linebackers involved in the plays when he is active and when he is not....I understand a talent drop off when we are talking Zach Thomas or Luke Kechley (spelling?)...but I never thought Koa Misi's talent was that indispensable....

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Misi is the prototypical LB that this scheme needs to defend the run. Sound within their assignment, strong at the POA. Unfortunately he's the only LB we currently have that fits that bill. Health has been his only major issue.

 

[fansinceGWilson]

When healthy Misi has always been a solid player, but I am not sure than even his mother would call him phenomenal

Agreed. IMO, Misi has two knocks. 1) He's a workman-like player. Not great, but not many mistakes. 2) LBs should be play-makers. Misi isn't. That said, I like him as depth and glad he's still a Dolphin.

 

[Kdawg954]

Agreed. IMO, Misi has two knocks. 1) He's a workman-like player. Not great, but not many mistakes. 2) LBs should be play-makers. Misi isn't. That said, I like him as depth and glad he's still a Dolphin.

4-3 SLB in this defense doesn't need to be a "playmaker".

Just Play the run well and be a sound tackler. He isn't great in coverage but more than adequate for a SLB. The MIKE and the WLB are the 3 down guys.

Misi fits very well in this defense but it always goes back to his health and at this point its the same as Pouncey . . . Do you gamble on it. It looks like Miami will in regards to both players and that could be a huge mistake. Or they could look like geniuses . . . I am leaning towards the former and people should be held accountable if this holds true.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

I think it's smart to take him into camp or at least bring him in with the understanding that we need another SLB ready to play when he gets hurt, or even to start over him.

But yes, he plays the run well. That's why the last staff -- and now this staff -- like the guy and want to retain him if he's healthy. He's good at his job.

 

[hoops]

I will eat my shorts if Miami drafts a 2 down strong that rushes on the edge in the sub

 

[russianbear]

just last week you'd think he'd given half the locker room some sort of deadly virus the way he was being talked about....

always liked Misi....hope he can play this year

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

just last week you'd think he'd given half the locker room some sort of deadly virus the way he was being talked about....

always liked Misi....hope he can play this year

If we've learned anything from the 50,000 Ryan Tannehill threads on this site, it's that some people aren't very good at evaluating football players.

I mean, I certainly wouldn't agree with P8u's use of the word "phenomenal," but the guy is a quality starter when he can suit up. This team is desperate for quality starters at LB.

 

[fansinceGWilson]

4-3 SLB in this defense doesn't need to be a "playmaker".

we disagree to a degree. SLB SHOULD be a play maker, depending on the definition. I want a SLB who gets FFs, FR, TFL, and "big stops" at critical times. Misi is MIA in those stats - OK, nearly so. He has a lot of years with zeros. I agree, he's good in run D and seldom makes mistakes, Good, but replaceable.

 

[Kdawg954]

we disagree to a degree. SLB SHOULD be a play maker, depending on the definition. I want a SLB who gets FFs, FR, TFL, and "big stops" at critical times. Misi is MIA in those stats - OK, nearly so. He has a lot of years with zeros. I agree, he's good in run D and seldom makes mistakes, Good, but replaceable.

There is no disagreement there . . .but for me, there is much more pressing issues on this team as a whole. A healthy Koa Misi is low on the list . . . If I could guarantee his health.

IF I could guarantee it, to put it in perspective, I would rather proactively seek out a RT that could potentially replace Juwan James in 2 years . . . Not to mention CB, FS, MLB, DE, DT, OG and RB.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

There is no disagreement there . . .but for me, there is much more pressing issues on this team as a whole. A healthy Koa Misi is low on the list . . . If I could guarantee his health.

IF I could guarantee it, to put it in perspective, I would rather proactively seek out a RT that could potentially replace Juwan James in 2 years . . . Not to mention CB, FS, MLB, DE, DT, OG and RB.

Odd that you're fine with a good player like Misi, yet advocate a RT replacement for James. Very similar in terms of being good players.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

JaWuan James struggled badly to open the season. IIRC it was the Bengals game in which he was downright awful. He really picked it back up as the season wore on, though.

I do understand why someone would be down on James, but on the flip side, he's a competent right tackle and I think that if you can sign him back on at a reasonable price it's a no brainer. Why invest more draft picks in the tackle position right now?