Training Camp Preview: DEs

If the Miami Dolphins line-backing corp is the bread than the DE spot is the butter. This is a fast up-field set of guys who go full speed all the time.

Led by defending NFL Defensive MVP Jason Taylor, the Dolphins DEs will likely once again be giving fits to the opposing QBs.

The Roster:

Matt Roth:

Jason Taylor:

Mkristo Bruce:

The Dolphins situation: The Fins use a hybrid 3-4 and Jason Taylor can be in a 3 point one play and lined up as a LB on the next. One of the reasons that only 3 DE’s are listed on the roster. Aside from the 3 there are some young DTs who can move down to cover if an injury occurs and some depth at the LB spot that can also be used. It is not an ideal situation, but it would work.

Jason Taylor: Call it a cop out. Call it what you want. Jason Taylor is coming off an NFL MVP season. Despite repeated rumors of his slipping talent, Taylor is still one of the premier DE’s in the league and seems to be getting better rather than worse. Taylor will benefit from the addition of Joey Porter and an emergence of fellow DE Matt Roth. There is no more to be said. When you watch TC, you watch JT. He does it the way it is supposed to be done. 110 percent. All the time.

Matt Roth: There was a lot of upset Dolphin fans when Nick Saban drafted the DE 2 years ago. 2 years later and he still has shown flashes of what he can be. But what nice flashes they are. Roth has speed. He has attitude. He has a love for hitting and hitting hard. In a nutshell? This kid is a football player.

Roth is going to elevate to the role of starting DE. He will lineup full time across from Taylor and in front of Porter. Porter will benefit the most from a solid contributing Matt Roth.

He has the skills, and this year, he gets to show the NFL why he was taken high 2. I suspect that fans will hear his name a lot this year, and I would not be surprised to see him post double digit sack numbers. Not expect him to, but wouldn’t be surprised if he did…to clarify.

Mkristo Bruce: This rookie will not get a pass because of the depth on the roster at this spot. He will have to work for the job of a backup and likely wll only see time on special teams. An all pac-10 DE with Washington State, Bruce racked up 31 sacks in 2 years. He has a bull rush ability and will use his speed to get around TEs. His technique will need work as he ties up to easy and he lacks a sure move to get around in tight spaces. When pushed to the outside he will at times stay high and then be driven out of the pocket.

Still, he has the goods, he just needs to apply them.

Overview/Predictions: Overview is simple. One phenomenal DE, 1 promising young DE to work the other side, and one guy who needs some time. Predictions – another year of Tom Brady hoping to hell that someone learns how to keep these guys out of his face.