Miami Dolphins Linebacker Battle Taking Shape

With the first couple days of Miami Dolphins training camp in the books, a couple of positions on the Miami Dolphins roster are beginning to take shape. The depth chart is beginning to fill out and the competition is becoming more apparent, especially with Miami putting on the pads. At linebacker however, the movement couldn’t be more noticeable as the starting line-up has a cross position battle going on and the rest of the reserve jobs are very much up for grabs.

McCain vs. Shepard, but don’t sleep on a Misi breakout

The last four days have seen the Miami Dolphins alternate their starting line up featuring a shuffle between the middle and strong-side linebacker positions. Starting weak-side linebacker Jelani Jenkins remains the one constant in the line-up as he should be coming off a break out year.

The incumbent line up features veteran Koa Misi at middle linebacker and second year pro Chris McCain at strong-side linebacker. The other line up features Buffalo cast-off Kelvin Sheppard at middle linebacker and Misi at strong-side. Coaches are trying to figure out which is the best combination to put on the field.

"“We’re looking to find the exact right combination,” Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said. “Who works best with one another? Who communicates best with one another? Who has the most production when they’re out there? Obviously, playing linebacker, the running game it’s about getting off blocks and making tackles.”"

The competition for a starting spot seems to be coming down to McCain vs. Sheppard. Although, there’s more at play than that, as a break out season from Koa Misi in the middle shouldn’t be ignored, which would force McCain into the starting line-up. In his second year playing the position plus the addition of Ndamukong Suh in front of him, Misi should enjoy a stellar year.

Through the early portion of camp, it has been evident Misi is the best middle linebacker on the Miami Dolphins roster. Sheppard is a quality reserve player but struggles in coverage and isn’t the caliber of player Misi is in the middle. Meanwhile, McCain has flashed the potential to be dynamic as an attacking force. McCain finds ways to make plays in the backfield tracking down backs and pressuring quarterbacks; and has been doing so consistently throughout camp.

McCain spending time with the defensive line

With all of the success McCain is experiencing in a simplified defensive system at SLB, he’s also pulling double duty at defensive end. Unlike suspended Dion Jordan, McCain is playing linebacker and getting pass rush work as opposed to playing defensive end and moonlighting as a linebacker in the Speed package. McCain plays with a certain amount of violence that is infectious and it’s been on display early in camp rushing the passer off the edge. Instead of being relegated to one side rushing like his defensive end counterparts, McCain is getting reps rushing from both sides situationally. You wonder though if the double duty will be at a detriment to his development at linebacker where he needs work dropping into coverage. McCain, acknowledged as much when speaking to the media Friday.

"“I’m pretty cool at defensive end. I rush and do what I have to do,” McCain said. “The workload right now is just at linebacker, which is very simplified. I feel real comfortable dropping back (into coverage). It’s a lot of fun.”"

Tripp taking the next step

Second year man Jordan Tripp made an impact on the third day of camp, flying to the football, flashing a couple of times blitzing the quarterback and popping running backs in the hole. He’s noticeably bigger and stronger; looking more comfortable by the day. He’s currently running second team behind Jelani Jenkins at the will backer spot, but has the potential to pair with Jenkins as the team’s nickel backers. His main role will be to serve as a leader of the special teams, but the overall improvement of his game has been noticed and Tripp acknowledges the development in his game.

"“Completely different player,” Tripp replied, when asked how he feels this off-season compared to last year. “I’ve learned a lot of things and I’m going to continue to progress in forward fashion. Coming back for a second year allows you to focus your will power on playing. You have a better relationship with the coaches, the players, a lot of them are some of your best friends. It’s just a lot easier to communicate that way and it makes it a lot of fun because it’s not only a relationship on the field, it’s the same off the field.”"

Vigil rising amongst undrafted crew

Keep an eye on undrafted free agent Zach Vigil who has moved into the second unit at middle linebacker when Sheppard runs with the ones. He’s been getting more relevant reps than his fellow undrafted rookie free agent linebackers. Mike Hull, Neville Hewitt, and Jeff Luc have been primarily running with the third team defense and haven’t gotten many looks against better competition. Vigil also provides position flexibility like Tripp, capable of lining up at all three linebacker positions.

All in all, there’s great competition going on in the linebacker core and a player like Spencer Paysinger better bring his A game or one of these cheaper, younger linebackers will be coming for his roster spot. This is the best competition, depth and group of young talent the Miami Dolphins have had at linebacker in quite sometime; this should make for improved play from the unit in 2015.

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