Miami Dolphins Dline working out together ahead of camp

The Miami Dolphins defensive line is expected to be bad this year but don’t tell them that. The group is working out together ahead of training camp.

In a recent tweet from the Miami Dolphins official Twitter account, several members of the teams defensive lineman and even a defensive end or two are working out on their own ahead of camp, at the beach. That is a good thing.

What we don’t know are all of the names of those participating. What we do know is that they have taken it upon themselves to run drills to get ready for the start of camp. This is the last day the players have off as they report to camp on Wednesday. Their first practice is on Thursday.

National sports media have been quick to call out the Dolphins defensive line after Miami released Ndamukong Suh their star defensive lineman but this unit could be far better than they are getting credit for.

Without Suh Miami did indeed lose one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL but consider that in his three season with the Dolphins, the defensive line and the defense as a whole have been pretty bad. So how much can really change?

If the defensive front struggles it won’t take long for the media to start calling Suh’s release a huge mistake, not that haven’t called it that already. There are behind the scenes things however that they don’t report.

Suh was good but in the locker room he wasn’t all that approachable. He wasn’t necessarily stand-offish as much as he was quiet and stayed to himself. Youngsters looking for advice or help were not “led” by Suh. They were not cultivated by his knowledge but instead stood back and watched. Sometimes that is a good thing but it doesn’t create a cohesive unit.

Suh is now out of the picture and his position is now said to be a hole. I disagree. Davon Godchaux looked very good in his rookie year and Jordan Phillips is entering a contract season. After his first two seasons produced mixed results, Phillips did far better in 2017 and looks ready to continue that improvement.

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Miami also added former Lions defensive tackle Akeem Spence who is good against the run. Another 2017 rookie, Vincent Taylor is also making progress and should see more playing time in 2018.

Miami should be better against the run because the linebacker group appears to be better this year as well. Where the Dolphins may lose is rushing the quarterback. Suh was adept at pushing the pocket but the addition of Robert Quinn should help in that department.

The fact that the defensive line is working together ahead of camp is important. It’s a committment to not only the team but each other. It’s a bonding that you can’t always get simply from camp and one that you can’t really put a price on. Hopefully for the Dolphins it will pay off sooner rather than later. One thing is for certain, this is the type of activity that Adam Gase loves to see.