Top 5 Jaguars the Miami Dolphins will face

Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) cuts between Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Sergio Brown (38) and Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) for a long gain in the fourth quarter of their game at EverBank Field. The Carolina Panthers won 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

The Jaguars reportedly almost cut linebacker Paul Posluszny this past off-season. Posluszny restructured his deal to stay in Jacksonville but the Jaguars were concerned not only about his salary but his injury history and his declining play. Last week against the Panthers Poz registered 9 total tackles, two passes defensed, and one interception. It was a good game for the linebacker.

Poz’ biggest issues seem to be his ability to cover tight ends and over the middle receivers. It’s a skill set that has declined over the last two to three years. The Dolphins should be able to find quality match-ups with Jarvis Landry and Jordan Cameron from the tight end and slot positions. The Dolphins should use split tight end formations giving them two slot receivers who are very capable of creating space behind the linebackers. In this case Posluszny.

While he may be declining a bit he is also a player that can play ver hot. Taking him out of the game is important because he is still the leader on defense and the Jaguars could find themselves in a chaotic position defensively. The Jaguars have not standout leader so removing a potential one is important.

Where Poz excels though, still, is in run support and the Dolphins last week found themselves passing far too often and abandoning the running game far too early. Miami needs to attack the Jaguars defense with both an ariel and ground attack, a balanced attack and they could find success driving both directly at the Jaguars middle linebacker, challenging him to step up or step out.