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Sports Buzz: Wednesday.

AL R

AL R

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Mike Hull is the Dolphins’ smallest linebacker, factoring in height (6-0) and weight (233).

On Sunday, he could be their most important, if Kiko Alonso cannot play because of hamstring and thumb injuries.

Alonso did not speak with reporters on Wednesday but Adam Gase said he’s more concerned about Alonso’s hamstring than his thumb, which was surgically repaired on Monday.

That means Hull could be thrust into a major role, asked to play more snaps on defense Sunday than he has all season (28).

Gase said unequivocally Wednesday that Hull will be the middle linebacker against visiting Arizona if Alonso can’t play.

Despite leading the Big 10 in tackles with 140 as a senior at Penn State and earning eight All-American recognitions, Hull went undrafted in 2015, largely because of his small stature.

He said that still drives him. “It definitely fuels me every day,” he said. “This league is about proving yourself.”

The Dolphins signed and cut him twice last season, but he made the team this season because of his special teams acumen (Darren Rizzi says he and Michael Thomas have been Miami’s best players in coverage) and because he showed improvement as a linebacker.

He performed capably when Alonso left the game for 20-plus snaps last week

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/s...y-jackson/article119489978.html#storylink=cpy
 
It's not Hull's height that is the real issue, it's his weight. I'm guessing he's about 225, despite his listed weight of 233 or 240. I think he realizes that he has decent quickness and speed at that weight, but may lose that if he bulks up, and he'll never be a powerful stack-and-shed LB. His instincts are fantastic, and his mobility is pretty good ... but he's going to get dominated at the point of attack in the run game. Pro guards will take him out of the play, quick WR's will create separation, and big TE's will wall him off as blockers and receivers. I really like Hull, and he was awesome in college ... but he's not stout like Zack Thomas or the old Saints LB Sam Mills.
 
Digital said:
It's not Hull's height that is the real issue, it's his weight. I'm guessing he's about 225, despite his listed weight of 233 or 240. I think he realizes that he has decent quickness and speed at that weight, but may lose that if he bulks up, and he'll never be a powerful stack-and-shed LB. His instincts are fantastic, and his mobility is pretty good ... but he's going to get dominated at the point of attack in the run game. Pro guards will take him out of the play, quick WR's will create separation, and big TE's will wall him off as blockers and receivers. I really like Hull, and he was awesome in college ... but he's not stout like Zack Thomas or the old Saints LB Sam Mills.
Click to expand...

Agree, but this effort was still some of the most physical play that I've seen out of the middle all year.

[vine]5P0tZ5FB7qr[/vine]

Alonso gets put on skates there and watches from 5 yards further downfield.
 
rooting for him. i was an undersized lb at louisville and zach was who i looked up to. so i always root for guys like hull
 
Sons Of Shula said:
Agree, but this effort was still some of the most physical play that I've seen out of the middle all year.

[vine]5P0tZ5FB7qr[/vine]

Alonso gets put on skates there and watches from 5 yards further downfield.
Click to expand...

And if paysinger isnt a special teamer that play is stopped for nothing
 
Yeah, Paysinger completely whiffed on the play ... but honestly, that's not at all uncommon for him. Even in Hull's best stack and shed clip you see that the RB gains 5 yards and Hull has a long time to stack before shedding the OL who simply figured the RB would be past him by that point. Hull backed out 3 or 4 yards and moved laterally moreso than he really shed the block. I like the guy ... but that's a hot button for him.

Regardless, we have an epic collection of steaming hot mess at LB this year, and I definitely agree that Hull is the best Mike in this group. I'd rather see a journeyman athlete make the right decisions, do his job, contain the play, then a bonehead athlete that so often makes the wrong decisions allowing gash plays or guys like Paysinger who are in position to stop the RB for no gain ... and predictably miss the tackle leaving those same workmanlike guys to have to win 10v11. Bill Arnsparger was a master of taking those disciplined journeymen and making them an elite defensive unit ... as long as everyone just does their assignment.
 
Digital said:
Yeah, Paysinger completely whiffed on the play ... but honestly, that's not at all uncommon for him. Even in Hull's best stack and shed clip you see that the RB gains 5 yards and Hull has a long time to stack before shedding the OL who simply figured the RB would be past him by that point. Hull backed out 3 or 4 yards and moved laterally moreso than he really shed the block. I like the guy ... but that's a hot button for him.

Regardless, we have an epic collection of steaming hot mess at LB this year, and I definitely agree that Hull is the best Mike in this group. I'd rather see a journeyman athlete make the right decisions, do his job, contain the play, then a bonehead athlete that so often the wrong decisions allowing gash plays or guys like Paysinger who are in position to stop the RB for no gain ... and predictably miss the tackle leaving those same workmanlike guys to have to win 10v11. Bill Arnsparger was a master of taking those disciplined journeymen and making them an elite defensive unit ... as long as everyone just does their assignment.
Click to expand...

That about sums it up. We have to draft a LB rd 1 or 2 this year we have no choice just like we had to draft a CB early last draft. Its not a good situation being boxed in like that but not counting on much from FA thats for sure.
 
Sons Of Shula said:
Agree, but this effort was still some of the most physical play that I've seen out of the middle all year.

[vine]5P0tZ5FB7qr[/vine]

Alonso gets put on skates there and watches from 5 yards further downfield.
Click to expand...

Where is Alonzo in that clip?
 
datruth55 said:
That's when he was out with a messed up thumb.
Click to expand...

Was wondering if the statement about Alonzo being put on skates referred to that clip or Hull's Physical play...neither are in the clip.

I know this sounds like I'm trying to be rude about it, I just wasn't sure if there was another video that didn't load for me.
 
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Digital said:
Yeah, Paysinger completely whiffed on the play ... but honestly, that's not at all uncommon for him. Even in Hull's best stack and shed clip you see that the RB gains 5 yards and Hull has a long time to stack before shedding the OL who simply figured the RB would be past him by that point. Hull backed out 3 or 4 yards and moved laterally moreso than he really shed the block. I like the guy ... but that's a hot button for him.

Regardless, we have an epic collection of steaming hot mess at LB this year, and I definitely agree that Hull is the best Mike in this group. I'd rather see a journeyman athlete make the right decisions, do his job, contain the play, then a bonehead athlete that so often makes the wrong decisions allowing gash plays or guys like Paysinger who are in position to stop the RB for no gain ... and predictably miss the tackle leaving those same workmanlike guys to have to win 10v11. Bill Arnsparger was a master of taking those disciplined journeymen and making them an elite defensive unit ... as long as everyone just does their assignment.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it was the only time this occurred during his one series. Not necessarily his best or worst, just the only instance. It would have been more proper to call it hustle. Once Alonso gets locked up he just kind of gives and becomes a spectator.
 
yeah I think you are gonna find with hull that a "good play" is a 5 yard gain
 
FSU Truth said:
Where is Alonzo in that clip?
Click to expand...

Hull was playing because Alonso broke his thumb. Kiko did return to the game ... but hey, playing with a broken thumb is not really recommended, LOL>
 
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