There's some names out there, but the pickings are slim at this point or they have some serious question marks.

Some off the top of my head: Perry Riley, Rey Maualuga, Kelvin Sheppard, Akeem Dent, Zach Orr (think he announced he's retiring), Jamari Lattimore, DeMeco Ryans.

I think that Miami is better off grabbing a body or auditioning players after teams make some roster cuts.

We also have Chase Allen, Deon Lacey, and Neville Hewitt on the team. Out of those three, I find Chase Allen the most intriguing and see some potential.

 

Would u think that we would bring in a MLB to replace Mac or move Timmons to MLB and bring in a Sam LB?

 

Kiko goes back inside most likely. I'd try to coax Zach Orr maybe?

 

I wouldn't be in a hurry to do this.

Basically every linebacker that took the field yesterday played well, but for perhaps a snap here or there of some miscommunication. I don't think that's a coincidence. Matt Burke was the LBs Coach and now he's the D-Coordinator.

It's sort of like how a year ago Vance Joseph goes from a CBs Coach to a D-Coordinator and suddenly we're getting quality play from Byron Maxwell (post-benching), the rookie Xavien Howard (pre-injury), Tony Lippett (who could have been little more than camp fodder on other teams, former late-round pick one year off a conversion from WR), etc. During preseason LaFayette Pitts came out of nowhere to look compelling, and even Chimdi Chekwa came in and had moments. It just seemed like at corner a year ago with former CB Coach Vance Joseph calling the shots, guys who seemed able to play NFL ball kept popping out of nowhere.

Now a year later former LB Coach Matt Burke is calling the shots and it seemed last night like every linebacker who hit the field played genuinely well. And we didn't even get to see Neville Hewitt. Is that a coincidence?

If anything I'm more worried about corner, where we may have lost that magic touch. And so are Miami, given they just signed Alterraun Verner a little bit ago.

 

I think we should just stay put and have the next man up to replace McMillan.

 

Never hurt to bring in a good vet LB.....

But I'm surprised that people are not mentioning Chase Allen after the way he played last night.

Dudes an monster very physical made several tackles and was around the ball a lot.. But for his first time in a NFL game he didn't look out of place and if he was that good in his first real game maybe, just maybe we have our new diamond in the ruff....

He looked special to me ...atleast last night...

 

He played well. I didn't think he played like a "monster".

 

Brandon Spikes should probably be the #1 phone call. He's played well in the same position in the same defense, and can be expected to fill the snaps McMillan would for a reasonable price.

 

What we need is a SLB, I seriously doubt that Kwon was going to start at MLB, and have my doubts about him ever being a MLB, OLB may very well be where he makes his mark.

They're paying Timmons a lot of money to play that position, his 11 years playing ILB in the NFL at a high level is what they're paying for, the only times he's played outside is due to injury.

So what we need is another OLB, a SLB, as Kiko just doesn't fit that bill.

 

I didn't get to watch the game in its entirety, but what I did watch of Chase Allen in this game I found to be very encouraging. His instincts, physicality, and sure tackling were terrific.

I've watched some tape of him with the Salukis, and it's nice to see some of those same traits carrying over to the NFL level. Here's to hoping he keeps improving, stays the course, and most importantly stays injury-free.

 

Ya his size I think 6' 3", 250 lbs, instincts and physicality caught my eye too and my reference as "monster" more the level of the physicality he seems to bring in his play. Time will tell, we sure could use a real stud LB...

 

Most definitely.

Ever since Zach Thomas retired, it's been an uninspiring mess for the most part. We need that enforcer and heat seeking missile in the middle.

Hell, I'd even take a poor man's imitation of Zach Thomas. That's why I was so excited with the Raekwon pick.

If Chase Allen can channel some of Zach, or even half of him, I think it would make many of us and the team really happy. Those are some hallowed shoes to fill, but I have to believe we'll eventually get back there someday.

 

From a pre-draft report:
"In March, Chase Allen had his pro-day -- he traveled to Northwestern University, a Power Five school gracious enough to allow small school products to ply their trade along with the Wildcats. Allen did not disappoint. The inside linebacker prospect ran a blazing 4.58-second time in the 40-yard dash, and an uber-quick 6.88 in the 3-cone drill. Combine that with 23 reps of benching 225 pounds and an official 6-foot-4, 241-pound measured frame -- along with his production during his SIU career -- and you have yourself one excellent prospect.

At the NFL Combine, only two linebackers -- inside or outside -- matched or beat Allen's 40 time, and only four matched or beat his cone drill time."

Watch his highlights on Youtube...this kid has skills. He can play.

 

Walt, I am conceptually with you about adding a vet, but the salary cap is becoming an issue. We have just under $8 mil to spend. At this point, we are paying guys the league minimum going forward and vet minimums are kinda high. CKParrothead made a pretty solid point that the LBs did look good. Hull has the benefit of a really low salary ($615,000). When adding FA going forward, we are going to unfortunately have to consider cheaper options unless we have a surprise cut or trade someone to shed cap space.

FYI - There is a name that does kinda stand out as being that surprise cut - Julius Thomas. We could save $3 mil. I know people here are rooting for him, but I have always been a fan of "don't let the facts get in the way of a good story" type person. MarQueis Gray looked sharp last season and looked even better in the preseason.

One last thing, we will most likely have better replacement options after the final wave of cuts. We have to be stingy with our money and get the most bang for the buck going forward.

 

whats the cap hit if we were to trade Byron Maxwell? i would inquire with N.O. about Stephone Anthony. He seems to have fallen out of favor there. Obviously it would require a draft pick plus a player.

 

No cap hit for a trade, but NO doesn't have the money.

 

Looks like we got a boatload of mediocre LBs. and after seeing Allen again feel he's not as spectacular as first thought but think even at this stage better than or as good as the 3 undrafted we pick up last year. If we need another quality LB ( which I believe we do ) than there are situations of getting the dough....
We just picked up Junior Sylvestre,,,,ah who?....don't know anything about him and wonder if this is like the continuation of OL who we just seem to hope can fill a position while knowing their present skill level must significantly improve. Be nice if he was an improvement over half of what we already have and not just another body for camp, cause thats getting old.

Timmons and Kiki with a fill in the blank present dolphin I don't think is near sufficient...and I do hope if a talented vet LB comes available the staff recognize the need and does not hesitate though truthfully I'm not that sure they see the need.

 

I am curious as to what your ways of getting the dough without creating holes in other places, but I am all ears. Remember, we run a lot of nickel, so there is a decent percentage of snaps in which we only have two linebackers on the field.

 

Chase Allen looks like a young Ninkovich at worst. If he has coverage skills, and can stay healthy maybe Bryan Cox or Offerdahl. He seems to have the strength and speed, but does he have the skill to stay. After watching some tape on him his angles should be better. If he creates a few turnovers the rest of the preseason he will make the team.

 

I'm not a capologist but feel that an improper LB ing core can be considered as one of those holes you are talking about needing filling. The trick to a successful team is knowing where to create strength were needed for real success,especially when you are talking about Starters. Out of 90 guys I'd think that if the right LBr became available (price also in consideration) there are areas of the OL, DBs, additional LBs to choose from to make the aquasition.
These choices to me are what makes a successful team. If you think our LB's are sufficient thats fair but IMO don't think an older Timmons (good yes, glad to have) a good but over rated Kiki (definitely not MLB material ) and a rag tag of backups still looking for dependable above average success is important enough to be worth the risk. And really think more mediocre's to the LB core are potentially the real waste and weakening and year after year having to focus again on filling the same holes.....

If Gase wants it done, it will get done with non significant downsize and hole opening, but my friend hole filling is the name of the game and the better one is at it the better the team is.......

 

I agree with your sentiments - we are thing at LB. We have a couple other places that I would like to address as well.

I think we need to get better at DT, LG, and MLB. In general, I would like to add depth on the offensive line. I think that on cut day and probably the days before cut day, we will see who is available. If a solid LG or DT became available, I would prefer to have the funds to sign him rather than to have prematurely committed money to an average LB. I think that it is in the best interests of the team to give Hull an opportunity. If he rises to the occasion, I say we roll with him, if not, we may have to spend some of our remaining cap money.

 

Been a dolphan since inception, but must admit I do not put half the energy in as I used to due to my heart being squashed the last 10-12 years. Finally hoping Gase can turn the corner but truthfully still waiting for him to prove it. He's actually got my hopes stirring with a renewed level of hope from decisions made that mostly have made very good sense IMO.

You talked about holes. well that was one of my big concerns too.Generally, I don't feel all the areas can be fixed in a short time as say one season but I'm completely tired of the constant merry go round of say take the OL., were quality is available but we re-reload with bunches of dice throwing hopeful hasbeen guys who don't cut it and go through the same process year after year after year.
Think we finally have an acceptable OL if starters are healthy (only took 10 years and a Gase of reality) We just signed Sylvestre and I don't know much about him or if this is a move similar to the past staffs previous last 10 year approach of constant futility because with skipped a quality known factor, I'm tired of going through another 5 years of filling our LB need. IMO we need one more quality player, do it and fill other area's next year but I don't want to be on that merry go round of crossed fingers on guys who just fill up a roster spot, especially if that quality player is there at a reasonable cost.

Good thing IMO, is we do have quality backups now....(Hull and Allen to name a couple...damn if lucky maybe the new guy too Sylvestre) though I hope Junior S isn't more money thrown away.

 

Phins working out Rey Maualuga.

 

That's a good idea, he also knows that he isn't what he was, he'd sign for a reasonable amount.

He's only good vs the run however.