Dolphins thinking about shaking up linebackers

Posted by Darin Gantt on April 18, 2014, 4:22 PM EDT
AP

The Dolphins spent a lot of money on free agent linebackers last year, and they appear to be set to shuffle some of those guys around.

According to Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post, the Dolphins are planning to move outside linebacker Koa Misi to the middle, replacing Dannell Ellerbe.

Ellerbe would then move to the weakside, and Phillip Wheeler would play the strongside spot.

Misi signed an extension last fall, after former General Manager Jeff Ireland spent on Ellerbe and Wheeler last offseason.

Such a move would be a huge admission that last year’s moves were a mistake, but since Ireland was fired, they’re the kind that are easier to admit.

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34 responses to “Dolphins thinking about shaking up linebackers”

  2. I don’t know whether Misi can be the long term solution in the middle , but I’m reasonably sure there can be one of only two places to put Philip Wheeler — on the bench or on the waiver wire. That guy couldn’t cover my Grandmother out of the backfield.

  3. we still laugh at the fact that you gave ellerbe 35 million

    signed,
    baltimore

  5. If there has ever been a team with non-descript linebackers, the Miami Dolphins are it. Aside from Zach T, it’s just a revolving door of nobodies — and that includes Nick B and Karlos D.

  6. No they aren’t. This was going to happen a year or two ago as well.

    When Ellerbe was injured last year Misi played exactly zero downs in the middle.

    In fact, it has been reported by some reporters that they have never seen him play a single down in the middle in practice.

  9. I had to go back and read to make sure this wasn’t another LaCanfora “throw some (stuff) against the wall and see what sticks” report about the Fins.

  10. Wheeler was the biggest problem last season and but for a ridiculous guaranteed ballooning payment in this his second year which Hickey inherited, he would be cut. Koa Misi is not the problem. Miami will pick up a mike LB in the early rounds of the Draft. The talk of moving Misi is just pre-Draft B/S.

  13. Problem is Ireland spent on Karlos and Kevin let them go then over spent on Wheller and Ellerbe..Ellerbe and Dansby would have be a decent combo.. Oh well LBs and O-Line should be draft prioty now.

  14. Frankly, it appears that the Ravens got the better of the switch, They liked Ellerbe but obviously not as much as Miami. When they had the opportunity to acquire Daryl Smith, they jumped on it. Now the Ravens have a high quality linebacker and Miami has a liability.

  15. Dansby
    Bush
    Long

    If we kept those guys we’d have made the playoffs and never heard of the Wells report.

    But Jake would still have gotten hurt.

  17. “cwk22 says:
    Apr 18, 2014 7:09 PM
    Love the comments by Ravens fans. They don’t look Super Bowl bound either”

    Ravens have never looked Super Bowl bound and yet they have more rings than Dolphins while being in existence since 96. Good luck with Ellerbee, suckas…

  19. Always; you might want to do a little research before you speak. Here’s a couple of names (other than Nick B who is in the HOF) for you. AJ Duhe, Hugh Green, Bob Matheson, Bryan Cox, John Offerdahl. They have 13 PB’s between them, countless All Pro selections and numerous other awards. But hey, why let facts get in the way.

  20. Since the Dolphins inception into the league (1966) here’s the breakdown of the number of pro-bowlers each team has produced at LB (didn’t count special team LBs):

    Arizona – 6
    Atlanta – 16
    Buffalo – 20
    Chicago – 35
    Cincinnati – 3
    Cleveland – 14
    Dallas – 24
    Denver – 29
    Detroit – 9
    Green Bay – 13
    Indianapolis/Baltimore – 8
    Kansas City – 32
    Miami – 23
    Minnesota – 17
    New England – 17
    New Orleans – 22
    New York Giants – 32
    New York Jets – 8
    Oakland – 15
    Philadelphia – 18
    Pittsburgh – 54
    San Diego – 18
    San Francisco – 26
    St Louis – 17
    Tennessee/Houston – 18
    Washington – 21

    Miami is #8 on that list. Not exactly Pittsburgh but not below average either.

  22. I called for this move last year. I want Jordan to get a shot at left outside linebacker. We have plenty of good DE’s and Jordan is very athletic. Who knows, if Finnegan or Flannigan or whatever that guy from the Rams name is, we might have a solid “DE-fence!”

  23. Misi was drafted to play mlb and played there his first season, they got dansby and moved misi to full time olb where he has played well according to pff he is the 14th best 4-3 olb and 9th against the run last year. He will do well in the middle and ellerbe will go back to the weak side where he shined at Baltimore and will be more comfortable. I’d like to see Jenkins in there more though, he is explosive and I think he can turn into a good player. Should draft a lb in the later rds though for depth, I don’t see wheeler on this team after next season.

  24. More likely that Koa Misi moves to the middle of the bench and CJ Mosley plays ILB.

  28. This moving the linebackers was reported in the Miami Herald, at least 10 days ago.
    And with their first rd pk, the Miami Dolphins take CJ Mosley, linebacker from U of Alabama.

  29. Ravens simply won’t overpay its system players. Yes they wanted to keep him because he fit the scheme. Not so in Miami, maybe he will step it up. Most Raven players that leave for the big bucks, don’t rekindle their play as when they played for the Ravens. Like I said most.

  31. I wish they’d shake up the ownership! SELL THE TEAM, LOSS! END THE COMMITMENT TO MEDIOCRITY! FIRE JOE PHILBIN! SELL THE TEAM TO THE SHULAS!

  32. If the Fins cannot take CJ Mosley(Ala) or he was taken before they pick, they would be wise to draft Chris Borland (Wisc). The guy is a tackling machine. They might be able to get him in the second round. Go Dolphins!

  34. In madden, I actually use koa misi at mlb, ellerbe at weakside, & wheeler at strongside; It really works well!!
    Even in certain package formation dion jordan excels at OLB! Save a early draft pick on another position and use misi at da middle Dolphins! And if it don’t work, trade one of em’ in the bye week or bring Ray Lewis out of retirement! Lol #Champhins!!

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