Position changes on defense help Miami Dolphins

[DolFan619]

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/645437.html

Position changes on defense help Miami Dolphins

BY JEFF DARLINGTON
Miami Herald

Before Saturday's preseason game began, it might have seemed like reason for concern when one injury to an inexperienced weakside linebacker resulted in a domino effect that altered three positions.

Then again, maybe it was the ideal remedy.

With linebacker Charlie Anderson sidelined by a hamstring pull, Joey Porter moved from strongside to weakside, Matt Roth moved from defensive end to strongside linebacker, and rookie Kendall Langford started in Roth's place on the end.

The result? A far better performance than a week earlier.

It might be an overstatement to suggest those moves were the primary reason for the improvements, but it is nonetheless intriguing that Miami's starters allowed only two first downs and not a single third-down conversion in the first quarter against the Jaguars' offense.

A week earlier, against the Bucs, the Dolphins' defense struggled to keep Tampa Bay's offense off the field. Through four quarters, the Bucs converted 11 of 20 third-down attempts with 21 first downs against the Dolphins' 10.

Roth, who has been seeing some experimental time at linebacker during practices recently, looks to be showing some improvement despite the unorthodox nature of his move. He picked up a sack for a 5-yard loss in the second quarter.

Channing Crowder, who remained as the anchor in the middle, also had a solid game as he continues to develop into his new role as Zach Thomas' replacement.

Despite the improvements Saturday, however, don't expect to see this lineup remain the same. Once Anderson returns, the rest of the lineup also likely will shift back to its original format, which should suggest the Dolphins believe Saturday's improvement were more the result of better overall play -- not the lineup changes.

SET TO RETURN

Defensive end Vonnie Holliday is expected to return to action when the team resumes practice Monday, but the starter was stuck on the sideline for his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury.

Rookie Phillip Merling started in his place. When other starters were pulled, Merling remained in the game through most of the third quarter.

NOT HELPING HIS CASE

Running back Patrick Cobbs seemed to hurt his stock during Saturday's first half, but he started to rebound nicely in the second half. Still, considering he is battling with two recently drafted rookies for a roster spot.

Likely the result of a thumb injury that forced Ronnie Brown out of the game, Cobbs carried five times in the first half. Despite one 9-yard carry, Cobbs finished with only four yards mostly as a result of getting knocked back for a 4-yard loss.

Cobbs was also responsible for a 15-yard penalty on special teams for interfering with the punt return after a fair catch was called. Those hiccups could cost him, but he has been solid in training camp, which has given him an edge on Lex Hilliard and possibly also Jalen Parmele.