Miami Dolphins will consider moving Dion Jordan to linebacker | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Miami Dolphins will consider moving Dion Jordan to linebacker

ONole1

ONole1

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It's about freaking time...
When the Dolphins traded up in the 2013 draft to grab Dion Jordan No. 3 overall, they envisioned him as an athletic, pass-rushing freak.

But nearly two years into his tenure in Miami, the Dolphins can’t find a regular spot for him in the lineup.

Miami Dolphins will consider moving Dion Jordan to linebacker photo Allen Eyestone
Defensive end Dion Jordan has not been able to find a role that keeps him on the field as much as coaches would like. (Allen Eyestone / The Palm Beach Post)

For the first time Monday, defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle acknowledged that coaches would consider moving Jordan next season from defensive end to outside linebacker, where the Dolphins have a much greater need.

“We’re going to evaluate everything here as we go into the offseason. That’s certainly going to be one of the main topics,” Coyle said. “We have got to find ways to utilize him more.”

Coyle said Jordan’s development has been slowed because of injury and suspension.

As a rookie in 2013, he missed much of training camp after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. By the time he was healthy he was buried on the depth chart behind starters Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon.

Jordan played in all 16 games last season but was on the field for just 27 percent of Miami’s defensive snaps, recording two sacks, 18 quarterback hurries and 19 tackles.

This season he was suspended for the first six games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Since he’s returned he has played 34 percent of the defensive snaps.

He didn’t record his first sack of the season until Sunday’s win against Minnesota. He has eight hurries and 16 tackles this season.

If the Dolphins keep him at defensive end, he likely would remain a reserve.

But Miami has needs at linebacker, where the starters are Jelani Jenkins (weak side), Koa Misi (middle) and Philip Wheeler.

Jenkins has had a strong year but the Dolphins probably will seek an upgrade over Wheeler.

Misi has shown promise in his first season at middle linebacker but has missed five games because of injuries.

While the Dolphins might consider upgrading in the middle and moving Misi back to outside linebacker, they could keep Misi inside and convert Jordan to outside linebacker.

On Sunday, Jordan (6-foot-6, 275 pounds) showed off his versatility. The Dolphins lined him up at linebacker, end and tackle when Jared Odrick and Derrick Shelby were hurt.

Jordan said last week that he’s willing to move to linebacker. He played the position at the University of Oregon when the team switched to a 3-4 defense.

But he believes he can play as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense like Miami’s if that’s what the Dolphins want.

“I think I can,” he said. “I feel like with my athleticism I can do a lot of different things. All it comes down to is my preparation and just being comfortable at that position.”

Of course, even if the Dolphins try Jordan at linebacker, he has a lot to prove regardless of his position.

“He’s got to continue to get stronger, continue to be a more dynamic pass rusher,” Coyle said. “We think he has those traits and those skills. We have to just get it out of him.”
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http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/s...ns-will-consider-moving-dion-jordan-to/njYmH/
 
if they move jordan to strong and stick with misi at mike without trying to upgrade the mike in the draft i think i will just skip the defense time on the field next year
 
And this is where I hate Coyle. As just a fan I knew this was the better move last offseason! Why did it take 15 games to realize this??? Can you imagine if they spent all of last season and last offseason grooming him for the position and where would we be right now?
 
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hooshoops said:
if they move jordan to strong and stick with misi at mike without trying to upgrade the mike in the draft i think i will just skip the defense time on the field next year
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You would think they realize Jordan at LB is experiential and they have to draft a natural player for the Mike. Plus you gotta take a look at Misi's injury history that can't make anyone comfortable.

Ultimately, Jordan taking snaps away from Wheeler is fine by me.
 
I'd like to see Coyle go to a hybrid 3-4 and mimic what JT was in 2007 in Saban's defense. I know he wont do that though.
 
assuming jordan dropped the weight a subpackage of jenkins and jordan as the 2 lbs would be a pretty darn good unit...and i'm sure a jordan misi and jenkins starting base lb core would be an upgrade but please man do something about the read and diag on the inside...i'm begging ya
 
they're finally figuring out that jordans edge pass rush vs tackles all the time from a 3 point or 4 point stance isn't gonna get it done...let him play more in a 2 down one off the los and fly to the football and blitz thru gaps etc...

again though none of this works if he doesnt drop the bad weight

there's good potential to rescue this draft pick with this move though...if we get the cod and hips athlete and explosion one at the combine there's real good potential to save it and get an impact player off the los
 
hooshoops said:
assuming jordan dropped the weight a subpackage of jenkins and jordan as the 2 lbs would be a pretty darn good unit...and i'm sure a jordan misi and jenkins starting base lb core would be an upgrade but please man do something about the read and diag on the inside...i'm begging ya
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IF we were to employ Jenkins and Jordan as the 2 linebackers used in the nickel would we be looking for just a thumper at MLB? We wouldn't really need a 3 down MLB then, would we?
 
hooshoops said:
they're finally figuring out that jordans edge pass rush vs tackles all the time from a 3 point or 4 point stance isn't gonna get it done...let him play more in a 2 down one off the los and fly to the football and blitz thru gaps etc...

again though none of this works if he doesnt drop the bad weight

there's good potential to rescue this draft pick with this move though...if we get the cod and hips athlete and explosion one at the combine there's real good potential to save it and get an impact player off the los
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How much weight are we talking about? What do you think would be ideal for his frame and the LB position?
 
I still think McCain in the middle along with Jordan and Jenkins could give Miami a very athletic/dynamic group
 
datruth55 said:
IF we were to employ Jenkins and Jordan as the 2 linebackers used in the nickel would we be looking for just a thumper at MLB? We wouldn't really need a 3 down MLB then, would we?
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true...but then you got to worry about guys no huddling you and not being able to get personnel on and off the field and that mike would stick out like a sore thumb then...although teams don't play quick as much as i think they should to exploit matchups

denzel perryman becomes more interesting to me in that 2 down role...can play a drop or under zone with him although he's not great at getting to depth he wouldnt be out there in the sub where the space athlete gets exploited...
 
ANUFan said:
How much weight are we talking about? What do you think would be ideal for his frame and the LB position?
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he's 6 ft 7 almost...thin torsoed...to play a every down lb i think in the 255-260 range is ideal given his height...no more than that...248 at the combine i'd say shoot for 258 max

and off the los he'd be fine poa wise at lb
 
Depends what they decide to do. Fitting Jordan in properly is going to require some chopping and changing. In a base 4-3, his only real position for me is at SAM but I think we need a huge upgrade at ILB and wouldn't be totally happy entering the season with Jenkins on the weak side either. We probably need to prioritise an ILB if we stick with the 4-3 and move Jordan.

I think with an ageing Wake and the probable loss of a lot of our DL talent, the time may be about right to try a 3-4. Jordan, Misi, Jenkins, Wake, McCain provide a sound foundation for the 3-4 in my view and allow us to focus on the DL as opposed to both DL and LB in the draft. It would certainly allow us to use Wake sparingly whilst putting less pressure on the younger LB's that'll get game time. Just requires a significant changing on the DL.
 
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