Sparano talks Miami defense (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

Not surprisingly, the Dolphin defense looks like a 3-4 alignment.

Link

Dolphins still non-committal on 3-4 defense

By Omar Kelly | Sun-Sentinel.com

PALM BEACH - Despite operating in free agency as if the Dolphins would be playing a 3-4 defensive scheme, head coach Tony Sparano remained non-committal on what style of defense the Dolphins would play this upcoming season.

Despite Bill Parcells' history of running a 3-4 defense in all four of his coaching stops, the Dolphins Vice President of Football Operation has left that decision in the hands of his coaches. And Sparano said that decision won't be made until the team begins practicing during July's training camp.

"We just want to see them play. We want to see what we have out there," said Sparano, who felt the Dolphins primarly used a 4-3 scheme last season with minor 3-4 influences.

Sparano said it is important that a defense create an identity, and that he will likely stay away from a hybrid scheme that combines the 4-3 and 3-4 like the one the Dolphins have used the past three years.

When asked to explain the premium that's been put on signing larger linebackers - like Reggie Torbor and Charlie Anderson - during free agency, Sparano said it's simply part of this regimes philosophy.

"We just like big linebackers. So whether that be 4-3 or 3-4, when we went to Dallas, we were a 4-3 team [initially], not a 3-4 team," Sparano said. "That being said, we like big linebackers. We just feel like, in our league, for the long haul, those guys, like running backs, they can take a beating every single week."

However, Sparano did list his projected starting front seven, and it was formulated as if the Dolphins were running a 3-4 scheme.

Matt Roth, a fourth-year player whose play has been sporadic the past three seasons, was listed as the starting left end. Vonnie Holliday was penciled in as the starting right defensive end, with Jason Ferguson, whom the Dolphins traded with Dallas to acquire this offseason, as the nose tackle.

Sparano initially listed Randy Starks instead of Holliday as the starting right end, then revised his thinking later on, praising Holliday's leadership and delegating Starks as a guy who will play both right end and nose tackle.

"He's an arrow up guy right now, with a lot of upside," Sparano said of Starks, after praising his durability. "We're excited about that. When you can find defensive linemen that can show up every week and be snap eaters for you that's a positive."

Jason Taylor and Joey Porter were Sparano's projected starting outside linebackers, and Channing Crowder and Torbor were named as the potential starting inside linebackers.

"I like to think there's a couple of players on our team that are guaranteed starters. But, that being said, at some point every player on our team, no matter who they are, will have to show me that they can still do it," Sparano said. "So the 10-year veteran will have to show me on the practice field that he can still do it. The first-year guy will have to show me on the practice field he can do it."

Also on the defensive side, the addition of safety Chris Crocker means Travis Daniels will remain a cornerback, and Jason Allen will continue to work as a safety, but might get some snaps at cornerback during training camp.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Not surprised.

 

[Weiner Dog]

...and the FF World will again be confused why Jason Taylor will still be listed as a DE in all leagues, while Terrell Suggs is supposedly an OLB.

 

[Jene Bramel]

...and the FF World will again be confused why Jason Taylor will still be listed as a DE in all leagues, while Terrell Suggs is supposedly an OLB.

Actually, I would expect -- should Suggs lose his grievance and Taylor stay in Miami -- that both of these guys are going to be listed as LBs come late summer. The majority of the most popular management sites seemed to be more attuned to this issue last year.

 

[sdseagles]

Living in South Florida, it's sounding more and more like JT won't be a Dolphin in '08. Though you won't hear that from Parcells or Sparano, don't be surprised to see a draft day (or sooner) trade

 

[Polyethylene Bag]

Living in South Florida, it's sounding more and more like JT won't be a Dolphin in '08. Though you won't hear that from Parcells or Sparano, don't be surprised to see a draft day (or sooner) trade

I foresee a draft day trade with the Vikes. Parcells would rather have the picks than the aging player, despite what he's said.

 

[sdseagles]

It's not even so much that he's an aging player, because he's still extremely productive. But Parcells knows there's value to be had there in trade and lord knows they can use as many picks as they can get. And Taylor has given his heart and soul to that dreadful franchise; give the guy a chance to end his career with a winner

 

[Tecmo]

Jason Taylor is going to lose a lot of value regardless. If he stays, he'll be a LB. If he goes to another team, he'll be a DL, but won't have 50+ tackles. His value was tied into the hybrid system