Dolphins' Holliday learning another new role

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http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/miami-dolphins/story/628342.html

Dolphins' Holliday learning another new role

BY SARAH ROTHSCHILD
Miami Herald

Some Dolphins players laughed while talking about Vonnie Holliday lining up at linebacker, but the team's experiment with the longtime defensive lineman is no joke.

In the past six months, Holliday has been switched from a defensive tackle to primarily a defensive end. And now, as he learns another new position, he often can be seen working off to the side during practices with defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni and three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter.

Holliday last played linebacker at Camden (S.C.) High School about 15 years ago, so, naturally, teammates have been eager to see how he fares.

''He's a good rusher when he gets in pass coverage,'' linebacker Channing Crowder said, chuckling. ``It's funny to see a [285-pound] guy chasing running backs around. It brings a new dynamic to the defense having a guy that big off the edge. It's hilarious seeing a little [running] back trying to block him -- he doesn't need to move.

``Every time we drop into coverage, we'll do our job and kind of look in the corner of our eyes to see what he's doing.''

He played outside linebacker at one point during Saturday's scrimmage, positioned almost as a defensive back, and on the next play lined up as a defensive tackle.

NOT A PROBLEM

Holliday doesn't mind being used at several positions.

''It adds a new wrinkle into training camp, it breaks up the monotony,'' Holliday said before the team's day off Sunday. ``It's a challenge to be 11 years into your career and be asked to stand up. We're playing around with the idea. It's not a big deal right now. I get thrown in a couple [of] plays here and there. We're just trying to see what it looks like.''

Coach Tony Sparano said trying Holliday at linebacker is part of the team's effort to be efficient with roster management.

If he can be effective at multiple positions, it could ''save us a player,'' Sparano said, and give the team depth should injuries affect the defense.

Sparano is optimistic about Holliday's ability at linebacker but indicated it could take a while for the 32-year-old to get comfortable -- and effective.

''He's a guy that's used to having his hand down in the ground and sometimes that takes a little bit longer, but he's a strong, intelligent player,'' Sparano said.

``He's a crafty veteran that uses his hands really well.''

Holliday, who has started 44 games at defensive tackle the past three seasons for Miami, was used to playing in a three-point stance. In addition to playing in different positions, he is learning the team's new 3-4 defensive scheme and getting accustomed to being positioned standing up.

EMBRACING HIS ROLE

''I'm always up for the challenge and up for new things,'' Holliday said. ``For a big defensive lineman to get a chance to get out of the trenches and get his hands out of the dirt, why not?''

Holliday has made a strong career of containing offensive linemen, but he seems to have embraced his new role.

Crowder said it appears to have challenged Holliday and made him work even harder in training camp.

''I don't think he's covered anybody in years, so the idea of [him] covering a running back is hilarious,'' Crowder cracked.

Running back Ronnie Brown's assessment:

``Vonnie's an older guy, so he's in a situation where he takes things in stride. He'll get out there and he'll joke about it. He knows maybe he has to work on some things as far as the passing game, being able to drop back into coverage.

``I think he's really comfortable with the passing situation, especially when he's going against a guy that is 100 pounds lighter.''