Linebacker corp unsettled heading into opener | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Linebacker corp unsettled heading into opener

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DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — The linebacker corps was the most unsettled area on the Miami Dolphins' defense when training camp began.

It still is.

Miami is expected to start Kelvin Sheppard in the middle and Koa Misi and Jelani Jenkins on the outside in Sunday's season opener at Washington. But Chris McCain is also an option, Misi can move to the middle, and the Dolphins will experiment with different combinations early in the season.

"We've got a number of guys at the linebacker spot, and we're going to play them," defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said Monday. "There are going to be guys in and out of the game throughout the early part of the season, and we'll kind of let it play its way out under game conditions. We'll have multiple guys in different packages. As our season develops we'll have a better feel for how we'll continue that."

The Dolphins would prefer more stability, but new defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh's $114 million contract left little money to spend on other positions in free agency, and Miami didn't draft a linebacker.

Only Jenkins has a well-defined role after leading the team in tackles last year. Sheppard has started only eight games in the past two years, and doubts persist about his pass coverage. Misi started in the middle in 2014 but struggles to stay healthy. McCain shows flashes as a pass rusher but hasn't progressed as quickly as coaches hoped.
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http://pro32.ap.org/article/linebacker-corps-unsettled-dolphins-heading-opener
 
Sheppard has started only eight games in the past two years, and doubts persist about his pass coverage.
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Hahaha. Doubt? There's no doubt about Sheppard's lack of pass coverage.
 
that DL though. My infamous mother-in-law can play LB behind that line
 
"Multiple guys in different packages" doesn't sound too much like meeting an earlier preseason goal of simplifying things. After last year Coach Philbin said that the Defense need to be simplified. My concern is that Coyle sometimes tries to get too smart and he's up to his old tricks, albeit he's got a great new toy to play with.
 
Good thing is Sheppard won't be in there for most high percentage passing downs. He seems to be the odd man out in nickel sets. The Fins just need him to shoot the right gaps when he is in there and that D will be fine.
 
First 2 picks next year...OL and LB for sure
 
Gonna be a weakness somewhere. Pick your poison really.

It's been QB, no running game, **** WRs, terrible OL, no pass rush, LBs who stink, corners that miss tackles or don't get picks, and kickers who choke.

There's always something and that's okay. The DL is the strength of the defense.
 
Oline wont be a priority unless albert gets hurt...dont think it should be either... lb corner and de
 
Im not even sure lb will be a priority other than better depth though...i can envision a mcclain vigil jenkins starting lb core in 2016 and they cut misi after the season

But that will depend on how mcclain shows imo developmental wise this season
 
No way we prioritize O-line next year. We have two Pro bowl type players in Pouncey and Albert, and two ascending o-linemen in Thomas and James. Add a promising rookie in Douglas. Though Turner has struggled some, he may well improve from his 2nd to his 3rd year like Dallas Thomas appears to have. For next years draft we in all likelihood will need help at LB, CB and DE. Maybe TE or RB. Unless somebody on the o-line has an injury that could derail their career I don't see us likely looking o-line until the 5th round or later.
 
They will bank on turner and douglas development...imo they should...but if albert goes down i think a left tackle cant be ruled out unless they start giving turner some tackle looks or they move james which doesnt seem to be a possibility right now

Albert goes down for the count again miami probably starts counting days til they can be out of that contract
 
hooshoops said:
Im not even sure lb will be a priority other than better depth though...i can envision a mcclain vigil jenkins starting lb core in 2016 and they cut misi after the season

But that will depend on how mcclain shows imo developmental wise this season
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Earlier in the preseason you were hesitant on Vigil. Did you really see enough from him in terms of instinctive play this preseason, that you think he can overcome his physical limitations enough to be a competent starter at MLB for us?
 
I am not expecting big things from the LBs. I just want to see them be steady.
 
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