Outside I Feel A Rush

When you do the math and figure that the Dolphins will probably carry 8 linebackers into the season, and you factor in at least 3 of those 8 will be pure inside guys, I think it's a reasonable thought to have in your head that whoever makes it on the outside positions, will be the creme de la creme of their training camp roster. I mean, think about it, we still need to cut a couple pf players before training camp, yet it's unlikely that any of them will be a linebacker due to the 'tough decisions' Coach Sparano has mentioned since OTAs started.

Needless to say the starters will likely be the same as 2008 but the make-up of the roster could take one of it's biggest re-structuring in this position.

Matt Roth, # 98.
Matt Roth is a guy who looks like a wrestler, plays like a wrestler, and well, he was a wrestler. The big difference is the average wrestler can not run up and down a football field. He converted to strongside LB in 2008 and hasn't looked back. It would be very surprising if the Trifecta doesn't extend his contract during the season at some point a la Camarillo last year. That said, he is not a lock to start, but probable.

Joey Porter, # 55.
Joey had a career-best 17.5 sacks in 2008 playing opposite Matt Roth on the weakside. Earned himself a pro-bowl spot. For most of the season he looked unstoppable coming off the edge. But eventually teams started game-planning for him, and the length of the season slowed him down as well. Still, I was not disappointed in Joey at that point, but in the lack of blitz packages that the coaches brought to the game. When they finally started mixing it up, it was too late for teams to disengage from Porter. If the Dolphins had been sending safety/corner blitzes throughout the year, I believe Porter would have been able to reap the benefits from less protection being slid his way. A guaranteed starter in 2009.

Quentin Moses, # 74.
Ah, Moses. I often was mistaken for joking about Moses as being 'number 74, what's his face?' Truth, is, I was never joking, I honestly could never remember him due to lack of 'showing up'. If he doesn't show up in training camp he will be shown the door.

Jason Taylor, # 99.
Keep an eye on JT in 2009. It may be his last year and it may be your last chance to see something you don't often get to see. A player who's jersey number will be retired, play ball. In my life as a fan, only Marino is a member of that club and I didn't even see the 'good old days'. Only three Dolphins have had the honor. Taylor will be the fourth. It's a shame we didn't have him last year but now we do and the experience Roth picked up cannot down-spoken. Taylor is starter material possibly playing reserve. You cannot ask for better depth.

Tearrius George, # 49.
I was very surprised to see George being used at the outside position. He does have the size to play the strongside position, but with Roth and Taylor there, his best shot at the roster will be as the inside/outside guy. See the video below, George is # 77.

Charlie Anderson, # 56.
Anderson was really hot and cold in 2008, sometimes making big plays on defense, often times negating them on special teams. I went into 2008 training camp and beyond wondering why he was even on the Dolphins roster. I'm willing to give Anderson this training camp/pre-season to show he deserves it or else he should pack it up.

Cameron Wake, #91.
This could be the biggest impact player of training camp. His inability to stand out in the pajama parties could make him even that much more noticeable once they start going full speed.

I already did a full write-up on Wake here, so I won't go into depth again, but despite his unimpressive OTAs, I believe he will take Charlie Anderson's job.

Erik Walden, # 50.
I believe Walden has all the tools to be a legit outside linebacker in the NFL. He's the type of guy who's made a name for himself playing special teams, and that can sometimes hurt a guy's chances at competing at their true position. But considering how often Sparano drops Walden's name, you have to believe he's getting every shot imaginable to make an impression. In my mind he is the current holder-on of the final LB spot right now - could all change once pads go on, for better or worse.