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Title: Defensive linemen need strength work Post by: DolFan619 on July 01, 2008, 11:47:06 am http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2008/07/defensive-linem.html
Defensive linemen need strength work It was refreshing to hear Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland explain the team's 2007 draft philosophy the other day by reiterate that you don't start becoming a good football team until you win the battle in the trenches. That's why the Dolphins used six of its nine draft picks on offensive and defensive linemen. A good offensive line opens up running lanes, and allows quarterbacks to facilitate the passing game, and ultimately develop. A good defensive line stifles the opposition's running game, putting them in difficult down and distance situations, and applies pressure to the quarterback, rushing their passing attack. Phillip Merling, the draft's 32nd pick, represents the future of the Miami Dolphins defense. He's the epitome of the stout 3-4 run-stuffing defensive end this regime wants to build its defensive front line around. That's why I suspect Merling's rate of development will parallel the rate of the defense's improvement in the coming seasons. Right now, Merling's the first to admit he's got plenty to learn. But according to defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers, the upside is there. "I'm getting to learn behind Vonnie Holliday, and getting some good reads from the offensive linemen, going against the ones," said Merling, whose draft stock fell to the second-round because of a sports hernia that limited his workouts. Merling participated in all of the OTA's last month, but he speculated early last month he's about 90 percent recovered. "My groin is feeling good and I'm just learning behind Vonnie and some of the other veterans," said Merling, who produced 78 tackles, seven sacks and two forced fumbles last season in his most productive year at Clemson. But that was as a rush end in a base 4-3 defense. Merling, and most of the team, will be making the transition to a 3-4 scheme, which requires a more physical style of play from the front line guys, and the ability to press off blocks. That's the aspect Merling said has been the most difficult to adjust to going from college to the NFL game. "Playing on the inside in a three technique is real difficult. I'm used to playing on the end," said Merling, who believes becoming accustomed to the strength in the NFL is the biggest adjustment he has to make. "Offensive linemen are a lot faster and more talented so I've got to get back in the weight room and get grinding," he continued. "My quickness and speed is fine. It's more strength, getting a lock on the big guys. I'll get it down." Rodgers, the Dolphins new defensive line coach, hinted that Merling isn't the only rookie struggling in the strength department. "We've got some guys that are big, strong, smart, and they play hard. That's all you need. We just have to keep working every day to get stronger in the weight room and get our technique down," Rodger said. "If we can play with a lot of toughness we'll have a lot of success." Rodgers said Merling and fellow draftees Kendall Langford and Lionel Dotson are busy learning the finer points of the newly installed defense, and what it takes to be successful at the next level? "They are typical rookies. Everything is new for them. The one thing they are doing is putting forth the efforts and trying," he said. "Right now that's all we can ask of them." I've long wondered what is the benefit of running a 3-4 scheme as opposed to a 4-3 when it comes to the front-line play and Rodgers filled in the blanks for me. "In a 3-4 you want to be good against the run game. Just the way you are deployed. But you also want to give yourself angles to rush the quarterback. Then it generally disguises what the linebackers are doing, not making it obvious which [guys] are coming, and which are dropping back," Rodgers said. "It helps you in both worlds, everything you want a defensive lineman to do, stop the run, and rush the quarterback." From watching the OTAs I was able to figure out everyones likely role with one exception, Paul Soliai, last year's sixth round pick, who was pulling double duty as a nose tackle and defensive end. So I asked Rodgers about the mystery man from Utah, who flopped last season. "We're looking at [Soliai] as a developmental player who is playing hard. We like his versatility. He can play end and nose. We think he's usable in both situations," Rodgers said. He better be because the Dolphins are a bit thin behind Jason Ferguson, and no one wants to see a do-over of last year's poor showing when it comes to run stopping. That brings me to this question: How much improvement do you expect from the Dolphins front line in the coming season? And how much does the possible absence of Jason Taylor impact your answer? > Posted by Omar Kelly at 8:19:28 AM |