No Jason Taylor, No Problem: Previewing the Miami Dolphins Linebackers

Danny DolphinAug 2, 2010

Former Dolphin stars Jason Taylor and Joey Porter are out. Still, Miami managed to upgrade their linebacking corpse after throwing down an eager $43 million for Karlos Dansby , the playmaking linebacker who spent his first six seasons in Arizona.

Dansby is going to be the leader of coordinator Mike Nolan’s defense from the start. Just ask head coach Tony Sporano about the instincts of his new star linebacker.

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“He’s so long, and he runs so well for a big guy,” Sparano said. “When Karlos sees something, he pulls the trigger right away.”

Alongside Dansby is veteran Channing Crowder who has been steady but not spectacular in his tenure with the only pro team he has ever known.

He does play with a high energy level, but the unnecessary celebrations and emotional outbursts beaming from the former Florida Gator don't quite match his on-field production. Playing next to Dansby is going to make him look like a stud.

On the exterior, there are going to be a couple of new, fresh faces. Rookie Koa Misi has been getting rave reviews and has all but locked up one of the outside backer spots.

Linebackers coach Bill Sheridan on Misi: “He’s really a quick, athletic guy. He’s got a lot of explosion to him. He’s developing in regards to learning our defenses. That’s not different than the rest of our defensive players with [Mike Nolan's] scheme coming in here. He’s got a lot of ability. He’s quick. He’s got excellent pass-rush ability.”

Cameron Wake is a special pass rusher . He displayed that uncanny skill last season when he piled up 5.5 sacks in very limited playing time. The queston is whether he has improved enough in other areas to garner a full-time starting role. He has played with the first time a ton in training camp thus far, giving him every opportunity to be the guy.

Sheridan on Wake: “He can be a dynamic pass rusher, exceptionally dynamic. We’re just trying to make sure he gets well-rounded and can play on every down and be a quality run stopper and a quality — or at least an adequate — guy in coverage. He has a unique talent. He is an outstanding pass rusher.”

Miami doesn’t have nearly as much depth here as they do up front. Charlie Anderson is a solid, versatile backup who doesn’t stand out in any particular area, but is solid across the board. Rookie A.J. Edds of Iowa has the body and smarts to be an NFL linebacker, but has a long ways to go.

The success of the defense is going to be heavily linked to the linebacking corpse. The pass-rush is going to come from this group, and it’s critical that Wake and Misi become playmakers of the edge. Wake has me sold, while Misi leaves me intrigued because that really wasn’t his role at Utah.

A part of me is sad to see a player like Taylor leave, to the gastric-bypass-led Jets nonetheless. However, the excitement with this young group of linebackers is going to leave us many jaw-dropping moments on Sundays this fall.

*Another FYI to Jets fans out there. Dolphins coach, Tony Sporano, lost over fifty pounds this offseason through dedication and hard work via a rigorous training program. Hard work beats the easy way out every time.

Anybody ready for some football?