Miami Dolphins Need A Healthy Koa Misi
With the first full week in pads and scrimmage past us and the Miami Dolphins first pre-season game of the year on the horizon; one thing is pretty clear for Miami, linebacker Koa Misi needs to get healthy.
While the Miami Dolphins have been auditioning Buffalo cast off Kelvin Sheppard at middle linebacker trying to determine if he’s good enough inside to relegate Misi back to the strong-side. It’s obvious to the naked eye, it’s a clear step down in quality from Misi to Sheppard. When Misi was able to practice, the team’s tight ends and backs where quiet in the passing game, with reports that even starting tight end Jordan Cameron might be struggling; but since he’s been out with his calf issue, the backs and tight ends have come alive. With Cameron catching two touchdowns in Friday’s scrimmage and one coming after running past “second string middle linebacker” Sheppard on a post corner. Wonder why I emphasize “second team middle linebacker”? It’s because that’s what Sheppard is, a reserve type player; one who will know the playbook well, will play tough against the run, and be able to fill in a few games here and there as an injury replacement.
Sheppard shouldn’t be your starter…
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The issue though is, heading into his 6th season, Misi hasn’t played all 16 games in a year since his rookie season. As the veteran of the linebacker room and the middle linebacker of the defense, the Miami Dolphins need their captain out there lining up defenders in the best positions to succeed. He’s never battled serious injuries and the nicks always seem to be to his lower legs; ankles, calves, and things of that nature. Miami will need to monitor it carefully, as they have, and that may even mean sitting him out the first two pre-season games.
If the Miami Dolphins do choose to sit Misi the first game of the pre-season, it would be a great opportunity for them to see who out of Sheppard and strong-side backer Chris McCain is the more impactful base defender. Because lets face it, neither of them will be on the field in nickel defense as those roles will be filled by weak-side backer Jelani Jenkins, Misi, and reserve weak-side backer Jordan Tripp. A decision needs to be made soon fro that cross competition as both McCain and Sheppard would require the reps to build continuity with the starting unit before opening day.
In the end, Misi is a critical piece to the defense’s success, he’s vital to the run defense and is a versatile player who impacts the defense in all phases — whether its in run support, rushing the passer, or in coverage. If he can stay healthy, Misi is poised for a break out season behind one the league’s best defensive lines, but he’s gotta stay on the field to do so. The Miami Dolphins can help that by resting him and getting him healthy like they have and then getting Tripp into the nickel rotation with Jenkins to lighten Misi’s play count and keep him fresh throughout games.
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