Linebackers are a beat-up bunch | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Linebackers are a beat-up bunch

Daytona Fin

Daytona Fin

Queeks Draw
Club Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2002
Messages
42,328
Reaction score
44,963
Age
53
Location
Daytona Beach
The Dolphins linebackers are so beat up that newly-signed Kelvin Sheppard isn’t sure if he’s been practicing with the first team or not.
“I guess I was. I guess you can say that,” Sheppard said. “I’m not sure.”

Starting weak-side linebacker Dannell Ellerbe is out for the season with a hip injury. Weak-side linebacker Philip Wheeler was at practice on Tuesday but wore a cast on his right thumb. He also practiced with the cast last week but sat out Sunday’s season opening 33-20 win against New England.

Middle linebacker Koa Misi, who was injured in the Patriots game, had a cast on his left foot and ankle on Tuesday and is not expected to play Sunday against Buffalo.

Even linebacker Chris McCain, who had a blocked punt and sack on Sunday and is up for the NFL Rookie of the Week award, missed Tuesday’s practice with an illness. He’s also reportedly dealing with a hip injury that he played through.

So the Dolphins are mixing and matching different linebackers to figure out what’s the best unit to play against the Bills.

“They’re kind of piecing guys in,” Sheppard said. “Just trying to see the chemistry.”
Click to expand...
Defensive end Jared Odrick said all the turmoil at linebacker means that the defensive line, which excelled against New England, will have to step up even more against Buffalo.

“It’s another opportunity for the d-line to be able to elevate their game even more, for us to be even more of a contributing factor,” Odrick said. “I can’t say enough about the guys that are filling in because they work so hard, all of them play special teams. all of them work their asses off every day. I don’t think anyone has any reservations about the guy who’s filling the roles.”

Jenkins said it’s an especially tough challenge going up against Buffalo, which has one of the NFL’s better running back tandems in C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson.

The Dolphins linebackers struggled against the run last year,but held New England to 89 rushing yards.

The Bills ran for 193 yards in last week’s 23-20 upset in Chicago with third-string back Anthony Dixon equally sharing the load with Spiller and Jackson.

“They’re excellent at running the ball and they’ve got two running backs back there that can really make you miss, that can really make big plays,” Jenkins said. “I think that’s the biggest challenge — just stopping the run and playing disciplined, playing physical.”

Defensive end Cam Wake said he’s not concerned. He believes the reserve linebackers “are just as able as anybody else on the team.”
Click to expand...
http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news...pbpstubtomypbp_launch#82f40c1d.3454205.735485
 
Assuming Tannehill doesn't crap the bed for us, I see LBer being a priority next draft.
 
Wake is the ****ing man. He's all business. It has been a real pleasure watching him play these last few years. He's the type of guy that's is easy to root for. Even though there has been a dark cloud hanging over this team for what feels like forever, he has been a silver lining.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom