Miami Dolphins Position Preview: Defensive Line

Danny DolphinJul 30, 2010

Defensive Line

Miami still isn’t quite sure who will line up front on the defensive side of the ball, but what it does have is excellent depth.

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With their best defensive player, Randy Starks, moving from end to nose tackle, one wonders if he will maintain his effectiveness.

He’s not a a true nose size-wise, but his quickness should make up for it. It’s hard to believe a 300-pound man is considered small in any sense, but a nose tackle’s main responsibility in a 3-4 defense is to clog up the middle and disrupt as many lineman as possible.

Behind him, Paul Solai isn’t the safest backup, so Starks’ health will be critical.

At defensive end, Kendall Langford is ready for a breakout year and has improved drastically in his first two years. But opposite him, there are question marks.

With the incumbent starter Phillip Merling likely out for the season because of a torn Achilles' tendon, three players will battle it out. Rookie first-round pick Jared Odrick will compete with newly acquired veterans Marques Douglas and Charles Grant.

Odrick’s strengths are his burst off the line and his “I’m going to run you over” mentality. The quickness with which he gets out of his stance is astounding for a man his size. He also displays a toughness and motor that will get him playing time from day one. Odrick signed a five-year deal yesterday worth $13 million overall, with a shade over seven million in guaranteed money.

Regardless of who starts, everyone will play. Miami has the depth at both end spots to rotate frequently without sacrificing production. Look for Cameron Wake to occasionally line up in sure passing downs off the edge in a three-point stance.

How good this line becomes is pivotal to the Dolphins’ success this year. A standout line on either side of the football makes life easier for everyone else.