Olivier Vernon stealing spotlight from Cam Wake as Miami Dolphins’ sack master | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Olivier Vernon stealing spotlight from Cam Wake as Miami Dolphins’ sack master

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American High and UM alum Olivier Vernon, the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week, is garnering attention with a team-leading 10.5 sacks this season.

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Dolphins DE Olivier Vernon sacks Jets QB Matt Simms at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Dec. 1, 2013. Joe Rimkus Jr. / Staff Photo

NFL SACK LEADERS
15.5: Robert Mathis, Colts
13: Robert Quinn, Rams
12: Mario Williams, Bills
11: Justin Houston, Chiefs
10.5: Olivier Vernon, Dolphins
10.5: Chandler Jones, Patriots
10: Muhammad Wilkerson, Jets

[h=3]BY ADAM H. BEASLEY[/h] [h=3]abeasley@miamiherald.com[/h] There are out-of-nowhere impact players, and then there is Olivier Vernon.
The pride of American High School is tied for fifth in the NFL with 10.5 sacks. On Wednesday, he was named the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week after sacking Jets quarterbacks three times Sunday.
Vernon has built a formidable Pro Bowl resume. Unfortunately, he won’t get a single fan vote.
Why? He’s not even on the ballot, a reflection of just how low his profile was entering the season.
“Yeah, I was told that in the beginning of the year,” Vernon said Wednesday. “It is what it is. It means it gets me more motivation to grind harder for next year.”
In a way, the oversight is a snapshot of not only how anonymous much of the Dolphins’ defense is, but how many of those unknown players are actually carrying the unit.
Statisticians awarded Vernon another half-sack from Sunday’s game, meaning he now has than a quarter of the team’s 37 sacks in 2013. The Dolphins are tied for fifth league-wide in team sacks and have just five fewer than they did in all of 2012.
And they’re doing all this without a standout season from All-Pro Cameron Wake, who has been limited to 6.5 sacks — including just four since the season opener.
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Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/04/3796800/miami-dolphins-olivier-vernon.html#storylink=cpy
 
Cam is all about the team. He is a mentor to the younger DE's. I'm sure that he is happy to see Olivier succeeding for the Dolphins. The spotlight is big enough to be shared.
 
Wake has been up and down, but let's not just measure DL players by sacks alone. That stat seems to be the only stat that matters anymore to the media and fan base.

Wake has been game planned for by all teams we play. Can't say the same for Vernon. Let's hope he keeps it up when the spotlight goes his way.

You have to love the motor the guy has.
 
The d-line is hands down my favorite unit on the team. This group of guys are down right destructive in both phases of the game. All of them can get to the QB and the rotation is fantastic.

That being said, the emergence of Odrick has me thinking Starks is a goner this off-season. Although he has earned himself a big payday and will get it from some team.

And I am most excited about is what Coyle has planned for Dion Jordan next season. Or if he will let him loose if this team makes the post-season. Im just waiting for the time Jordan has a breakout game and turns into a full-time starter. I just see superstar potential with this kid. Yes he needs to beef up but he can straight out rush the QB and close on the ball carrier. Oh and not to mention and can drop back into coverage and more than handle his own. Future pro bowler in the making this kid is.
 
To me, the most impressive DLineman on this team is Jared Odrick. Love his versatility. Cam Wake hasn't been blown off in the running game this bad since his rookie season (Injury will do that to you). The fact that you can slide Odrick over to DE and help with this issue and still get good pressure is amazing, yet get a guy who can do the same thing from an interior spot . . . . he's a stud.

Cam Wake is still the best player on this team when healthy IMO . . . hopefully he still has some good health in front of him going forward as he's hitting an age where it isn't as easy to be 100% as it used to be.

OV / Jordan / Wake / Misi / Odrick / Soliai / Starks . . . . this is a talented defensive group . . . and I've also seen improvements from Ellerbe and even Wheeler the past 2 weeks, plus the secondary is playing at a high end level. Coyle has done a great job with this defense.
 
I'd be curious to see how many of those sacks came with Cam on the other side or Shelby. Regardless, keep both and DJ. Make qbs and ols have a nightmare.
 
Considering wake gets held every other play and nothing is ever called this doesnt surprise me. Good job on vernon taking advantage
 
CW and OV on the filed at the same time is beginning to cause serious headaches for OC's. I like it.
 
Is Wake a FA at seasons end? If not, he'll be back. To be honest, we are in a great position along our dline. This is the real test for ireland. The dline is great but, it will be quite expensive next season. Who do we keep? who do we let go? Starks is gone. He is still playing at a high level and will get paid but, I'll take Soliai and Odrick at DT. Trading wake is a possibility, especially if jordan is ready next year. I'd keep him and have a simply dominant dline next year but, I can see how making that trade of wake can be beneficial. Even w/o wake, our dline is going to be tough next season. We won't have the depth but, depth can be had. Shelby is very good and improving. Shelby and the natural improvements of OV and Jordan will make a loss of wake easier to take. Wake could get us a very good Tackle. We wouldn't have to totally spend our draft on the oline.
 
Dolfan Dave said:
Vernon is to Wake as Ogunleye was to Taylor.

1 isn't as good without the other.
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Vernon has been performing even when wake has been out with injury. Ogunleye was an undrafted rookie out of Indiana U, Vernon has stock as a 3rd round pick of UM. Comparison doesn't fly. Not even close.
 
You have to realize that, Wake is actually opening up Vernon's side of the line. Without Wake's pressure and the attention he draws from a teams oline, Vernon wouldn't have as many sacks as he has. It's equivalent to a dominant wide receiver pulling defenses to one side of the field and allowing the lesser known wide receivers on the opposite side to rack up their stats.

That's not taking anything away from Vernon, but let's understand how/why he's so successful all of a sudden.
 
FlaFinest954 said:
You have to realize that, Wake is actually opening up Vernon's side of the line. Without Wake's pressure and the attention he draws from a teams oline, Vernon wouldn't have as many sacks as he has. It's equivalent to a dominant wide receiver pulling defenses to one side of the field and allowing the lesser known wide receivers on the opposite side to rack up their stats.

That's not taking anything away from Vernon, but let's understand how/why he's so successful all of a sudden.
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Really... the kid has only been in the league for 2 seasons. Last year he racked in 3.5 sacks and I don't think he was in the starting spot as much as he was now. Wake is great but give credit to Vernon. I have seen some nice moves from him against top LT.
 
I will remember that Cam Wake won that Bengals game for us in overtime.... This could be the reason we might make the playoffs over the Bengals.
 
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