FanPost

Projecting the defensive rotation by week 5

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

While the offense (other than RG) seems pretty set for the Dolphins. There are still plenty of variations to look at with the defense (this tends to happen when there are questions on all 3 LB's in the first group). We also have 2 players that will be out the first 4 games of the season that should be big time contributors for us. That being said, what do we think we will look like by the time the dust settles (and hopefully we are at least 2-2)?

Defensive Line: The strength of the team and possibly best position group in the AFC east. With starters of Wake, Odrick, Mitchell/Starks and Vernon, this group looks to have the least movement from training camp through the end of the season. Add in Dion Jordan (who I still see more as a nickel rusher/LB), Shelby, Fede and whichever DT (possibly 2 we pick) we keep and this will be a very deep group.

I see a 4-some of Wake, Jordan, Vernon and Fede on nickel downs with either Jordan/Vernon as possible "drop" guys if we only want to bring 3.

Defensive Back: When Jones returns I feel our starting 4 are pretty set. I have really liked what I have seen from Finnegan this off-season and preseason and actually feel that was a good pickup (I would never have said that when it happened). We all love Mr. Grimes, who I feel may drop a little, but still be more than solid for us at corner. I like Jones a lot, and feel if we can get the LB's together even a little where he can roam and be near the line of scrimmage he will have a rebound year (at least he will be fresh in week 5). Delmas seems to have the FS spot down, and while I haven't seen anything to be very excited about he seems to have been a solid starter for Detroit and I hope he can be at least that.

Where I see the biggest change is when we go nickel or dime in defense (5 or 6 DBs). I think we bring on Davis in the nickel. I have seen enough during the preseason to like what he gives us. I think Jimmy Wilson plays in our dime (he may be the best blitzing DB we have on the team other than Jones). With Jamar Taylor giving us depth and Michael Thomas the next guys if someone got hurt.

Linebacker: I have to admit a few things right up front:

1) I am not a Wheeler fan at all. I think he has never been a good LB for us. I have a hard time wanting him on the field (at all). One thing he does fairly well is blitz, but I feel we have 2-3 young bucks (McCain, Jordan and others that can give us that look)

2) I like Misi...as a 2 down Sam linebacker. I thought he was good for us there last year. I don't like him in the middle.

3) I love these young athletic guys we drafted this year, probably more than they have earned.

Now that all that is out of the way. Here is what I see us looking like in week 5. Misi is at Sam as a 2 down linebacker. McCain comes in for him on 3rd down situations. He gives us a much better blitzer than most of our LBs. I like Ellerbe playing the Will at least 1st and 2nd down, he would come off in nickel for Jenkins and in dime for Jimmy Wilson. I think our starting Mike will be Jordan Tripp. Not only that, but I think he plays all 3 downs.

As for Mr. Wheeler...I think he is somewhere else by the end of the 3rd preseason game.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Phinsider's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of The Phinsider writers or editors.