Ranking the DL

[DKphin]

Have we not been down this road before with inflated expectations?

10. Miami Dolphins: Ndamukong Suh, Mario Williams, Cameron Wake, Earl Mitchell, Jordan Phillips

Can we start the backlash to the backlash to Suh's tenure in Miami? There still aren't many defensive tackles we'd take over the three-time first-team All-Pro. Still, there could be a big fall-off in performance after Suh.

This group of names would have been ranked No. 1 two seasons ago. Now no one knows if Williams still has the motor and the juice to be a top-level talent. Wake is one of the best pass rushers of his generation, but he's 34 years old and is coming off a torn Achilles tendon. His recent contract extension was a curious moment, the result of chronic salary-cap mismanagement in Miami.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ing-the-nfls-top-12-defensive-lines-whos-no-1

 

[Phinatic8u]

Has the potential to be elite..

Has 3 elite players on it, although Wake is at the end of his career he's still an elite pass rusher..

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I think a little shy of elite. Suh is elite, Wake might still be. Is Williams on the decline, or will he bounce back? The position opposite Suh is a question mark. Phillips definitely has the potential to be a good player.

 

[royalshank]

I think so. Williams had like 15 sacks two years back, Suh is in his prime and Cam will be Cam. I like the depth we have on the line too.

 

[Fintastic2124]

If Philips can become a player we all hope he can, that's an elite dline

 

[Dr. Phin]

I heard this crap last year and said they were massively over-rated...I see that trend continues...

Wake may or may not be what he used to and probably will not last the year.
I think Mario Williams will continue his trend from last year and be underwhelming...
Mitchell sucks...
Phillips showed flashes "for a rookie", but needs to continue improving
Suh...not going to argue this one...

 

[phinfan33]

On paper, and actually going out there and doing it are 2 different things. The potential to be elite is there, but I personally have to say no until they actually go do it.

 

[Ruckus45]

Elite status will come from coaching this year. That DL has plenty of talent to be elite, but they have to be used right.

 

[Tannchise]

we were teased last year, and I believe things swing on the potential jump by Phillips and the health of Wake. Mitchell is a waste of space

 

[dnespins]

suh wasnt even elite last year and you guys have the entire group as elite? we go through this every camp because they dominate the OL then we find out oh no wait theyre not it was just the ****ty OL they were going up against.

 

[fansinceGWilson]

suh wasnt even elite last year and you guys have the entire group as elite? we go through this every camp because they dominate the OL then we find out oh no wait theyre not it was just the ****ty OL they were going up against.

Suh HAS demonstrated he can be elite. Same for Williams. Same for Wake. That's 3 of 4. I see that as a POTENTIALLY elite DL. That's the good news. But all that comes with questions. Will fans see the '14 Mario or the '15? Is Wake all the way back from injury? Can Branch hold his own in running downs? How will Phillips play? No one can answer those. For me, the POTENTIAL is there. Certainly, the run D should be better.

 

[Tannchise]

Suh HAS demonstrated he can be elite. Same for Williams. Same for Wake. That's 3 of 4. I see that as a POTENTIALLY elite DL. That's the good news. But all that comes with questions. Will fans see the '14 Mario or the '15? Is Wake all the way back from injury? Can Branch hold his own in running downs? How will Phillips play? No one can answer those. For me, the POTENTIAL is there. Certainly, the run D should be better.

hope to see Jordan contribute at a high level. Still holding out hope

 

[lotion]

They are elite in July.

 

[Tannchise]

They are elite in July.

scary how good they were in camp. I hope they clean up the run defense. Nothing is more demoralizing to both sides of the team, when you are getting thumped on for 6-7 yards a carry

 

[72 Undefeated]

Potential does not equal elite.
Exceptional performance does. We shall see.