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Where Does Miami's Defensive Line Rank?

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by thetylernator, Oct 29, 2016.

  1. thetylernator

    thetylernator You're as cold as ice, Officer Friendly.

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    With all the talk of Jay Ajayi and the offensive line, I'd like to bring the discussion to an area of the team that hasn't, perhaps, lived up to expectations this season. The NFL recently published an article detailing the top five defensive fronts in the league. Going into the season, I would have thought our defensive line would have been consistent with most other seasons; among the best. What are your thoughts about this unit? Have they lived up to your expectations? Are they still the strongest unit on the team? Has the secondary burdened the defensive line more so than usual? Where does our defensive line rank compared to the rest of the league?

    In this video, Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah discuss their top five.
    [video]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000729460/article/jets-richardson-playing-lb-will-give-me-more-money[/video]
     
  2. invid

    invid Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    They're coming around I'd say. Wake is now fully healthy, Phillips has flashed (still needs consistency), Suh is Suh. One thing that I would like to click is old Mario Williams instead of so-so Mario Williams. Branch has had a nice couple games but I'd still like to see something click with Williams to the point in which he becomes a steady threat once again. It might not happen because of his age, but one can hope. They should be even better when we get players healthy in the secondary. The UDFAs have been doing just fine, but I think we'll be better with a growing Xavien Howard and a possibly resurgent Chris Culliver in the lineup.
     
    Unlucky 13 likes this.
  3. OCDolfan

    OCDolfan a.k.a. LostInPatsLand Club Member

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    Mario Williams may be better at this point as someone who comes off the bench and plays DT on passing downs or plays DE to spot a starter. Problem is I'm not sure he'd be willing to take a pay cut.
     
  4. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I think we are easily in the top 5 league wide. I'm not even sure why it's a discussion here- the Bills QB had three total snaps last week when he wasn't pressured or sacked. No other defense is bringing that much heat from their front 4 on a consistent basis.
     
  5. Pandarilla

    Pandarilla Purist Emeritus

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    They are a fun group to watch. Some really underrated, gritty play early on...
     
  6. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Now that wake is starting again and Phillips is about to explode on to the scene they should be top 5.
     
  7. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I'm not sure where to rank them right now. They've been better the last two weeks, certainly. I think that they and the coaching staff are getting used to one another. They still go long stretches without getting pressure on the QB, though they've been much better at getting there in spurts. The running game has also been a struggle. Before facing injury depleted Buffalo, our defense had given up at least 160 rushing yards in three of the previous five games.
     
  8. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

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    Ranking wise probably not real high on the list, the first three or four games were pretty bad for whatever reason. The last three though they have turned it up considerably and if you were going on that alone they would easily be top 5.
     
  9. Fin-O

    Fin-O Initiated Club Member

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    When the offense isn't producing 3 and outs or short drives they have proven to be quite a dominant force.

    We dont have to run for 200 yards we just need to run decent and give these guys a breather and they will be just fine.
     
  10. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    I would say they're clearly a top 5 pass rushing unit, but not as good as a run stopping unit. Of course, run stopping depends mightily on the LBs filling holes and that's been a weakness. But it's not solely on the LBs. I have seen quite a bit of edge setting errors from our ends as well. Inside, I would say that Suh is consistent, but Phillips or any other inside mate has been inconsistent.
     

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