Miami Dolphins rookie LB Jerome Baker moves up to first unit
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins have made a change at linebacker with Jerome Baker now on the first team unit and Stephone Anthony moving back to the two’s.
Jerome Baker was drafted by the Dolphins in the third round of last April’s draft. He looked good during his first pre-season game last Thursday night but this Friday night, he will be working the start of the game with the number one defensive unit.
Adam Gase recognized that something was not good last week against the Buccaneers so he and defensive coordinator Matt Burke decided that a change needed to be made. Is it the right one? Hard to say but something needed to be done because the Dolphins were horrible once again, against the rushing game.
Baker will take the outside spot and play next to former college teammate Raekwon McMillan who will man the middle of the field. It’s good they have a history of playing together. Hopefully that familiarity will help the defense.
Anthony is a former first round draft pick of the Saints. His 5th year option was not picked up by the Dolphins this year. The Dolphins traded for Anthony early last season but he had little impact on the defense.
The move, should it stay gives the Dolphins two inexperienced starting linebackers as Baker is a rookie and McMillan missed his rookie season with a knee injury. Never having played in an NFL game at linebacker. Kiko Alonso will man the other linebacker position.
It shouldn’t be a huge problem for Miami as they don’t always use three linebackers on the field substituting safety help instead. With Minkah Fitzpatrick that is a possibility.
The Dolphins also have moved Bobby McCain to the outside opposite of Xavien Howard but whether this is a test in practice or something else we will need to wait a little longer to see.