Marc Serota - Getty Images
Despite Miami's 3-4 defensive scheme, linebacker Cameron Wake is often found in a three point stance on the defensive line. Look for the Dolphins to continue the hybrid scheme next year.
With the Miami Dolphins' recent coaching regime change, many expected the Dolphins to change from the base 3-4 defensive scheme utilized under previous defensive coordinator Mike Nolan to a 4-3 scheme. But, according to new DC Kevin Coyle, that's not where the Dolphins are headed.
"The days of saying we're going to line up and play a 4-3 or a 3-4 are somewhat distant right now in terms of the way the game has evolved," said Coyle told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
"Keeping the quarterback off-balance, through pressure, through coverage, through disguises, will enable your guys to have more opportunity to make plays. There will be elements of both packages."
In fact the Dolphins are leaning toward remaining a 3-4 base defense - if you want to call it that. The Dolphins actually ran a four man defensive front, with Cameron Wake joining the defensive line with his hand in the dirt, more than any other formation last year.
Miami actually has the flexibility to utilize either scheme. Despite the fact that the Dolphins are not expected to resign Pro Bowl nose tackle Paul Soliai, the team could flex Randy Starks back to the nose tackle position. Starks played there to start the 2010 season, before injuries to the line forced him to move back to defensive end, giving Soliai the nose tackle position.
Wake, despite his being listed as an outside linebacker, is primarily a pass rusher, having been a defensive end in the Canadian Football League prior to joining the Dolphins. Jared Odrick and Tony McDaniel, the other defensive lineman currently on the roster, have both also played in a 4-3 scheme.
Coyle seems happy to keep the team listed as a 3-4 base defense, but will keep the flexibility already in place in Miami. Now the team just needs to find the pass rusher to pair opposite Wake, whether that's with his hand in the dirt, or standing up with the linebackers.
2 recs | 26 comments
If we stay in the 3-4...
first, we need to resign Soliai regardless. Secondly, that would set us up to draft Melvin Ingram at 8/9.
The Earl - February 17, 2012
Soliai sucks
Why do we NEED to resign him?
Jason Scott_90 - February 18, 2012
i am..
really just getting excited with the direction we have gone and are going
finsfan1331 - February 17, 2012
A few of Odrick's sacks came out of a 4-3
The sack on Grossman had Odrick at DT and the sack on Fitzpatrick had Odrick at DE (with Starks and Soliai as DTs)
Just some fun facts. Make of it what you will.
Strange - February 17, 2012
Incredible how an answer just raises more questions.
What about Soliai? What about Langford? Where will we get depth at NT? Who will be the OLB opposite wake?
Interesting off season coming.
Phinatics - February 17, 2012
I think we should resign Soliai and Langford, though Odrick could probably start in place of Langford
Melvin Ingram should be the starting OLB opposite Wake.
The Earl - February 17, 2012
Big money right there
I want to keep Langford, but Soliai might be the issue if he demands too much. May need to look at Poe or Tamau in the draft.
The addition of Ingram could make this one of the most ferocious front 7s in football.
Again, interesting stuff coming.
Phinatics - February 17, 2012
Poe and Ta'amu would be good choices
The Earl - February 17, 2012
The Salami Schwami is here to answer all. My crystal ball has all the answers and even more questions.
He is going, going, gone. He isn’t worth $8+ million and someone else will give him that.
He will be re-signed for the next 3-4 seasons.Round 7 / UDFA
Melvin Ingram
QUESTIONS:
-Is it April Yet?
-Has anyone seen my other sock?
TheFinReaper - February 18, 2012
Hell throw me the powerball numbers if you can get that off your crystal ball
I wouldn’t bat an eye if Soliai left. I really want to keep Langford, really like him as a player. Depth at NT is tricky. We picked up Kearse last year and he was signed off the PS. Would love the Ingram pick.
Phinatics - February 18, 2012
I just love the picture with the post.
No wonder Brady gets so much time, and you know that there was no holding call on the play.
Northern Fin Fan - February 17, 2012
That was that opening game
They kept talking about how great a job Solder was doing. Meanwhile, I was screaming my head off because he held him on nearly every play… God I hate the Patriots.
Phinatics - February 17, 2012
So right. Wasnt really brought up much either. Having a couple holding calls on a rookie could have changed the whole game, instead he was made to look like Orlando Pace instead of the nervous, holding tackle he was out there against wake
Corners - February 18, 2012
Soliai is as good as gone, he isn't good enough to warrant the money he is demanding.
Run with Starks and add depth in the draft etc. We have far bigger (pun intended) issues than depth at NT.
Hollywood Dolfan - February 17, 2012
I have to agree with you on that one
I can’t see us giving him 6,8 10 or 12 Million a year.
Phintastic - February 18, 2012
and hes not even close to as talented as the Ravens NT. At least their NT makes sacks and plays behind the scrimmage, while also taking up his blocking duties.
Corners - February 18, 2012
I hate to say this, but I'd like to see a Joe Kleco type... Robo Joe....
Alpha6 - February 17, 2012
Starks will play NT in the 3-4 scheme
Miami has no choice but to let Soliai walk
biggaandbadda - February 18, 2012
I can see us drafting a young DT in the draft...maybe even in the 2nd
Kdog92 - February 18, 2012
Last year Miami couldn't really generate pressure from 3-4 so they needed to use 4-3 a lot.
Irishphan - February 18, 2012
I'm calling it
Odrick will be our best Defensive Lineman this year
get ready for some pee-wee
Kdog92 - February 18, 2012
I don't devalue Soliai as much as some of the other guys here...
But the fact is, he and his agent are looking for better than Vince Wilfork money.
Think about that. Wilfork is an 4x All Pro and Pro Bowler, and Soliai’s agent, with a straight face, has said Soliai deserves an even better salary based on really 1 season total of solid work from Soliai. Soliai didn’t start all of the 2010 season and frankly wasn’t dominant in the 2011 season until later in the year, so he has maybe 16 or so games of dominant play, following years of underachieving with poor effort and discipline. Soliai only made the Pro-Bowl as an alternate this year because Haloti Ngata didn’t play.
I wouldn’t put it past Soliai to pull a Albert Haynesworth if he gets an enormous contract, and that would cripple our team for years. I prefer Starks as a DE, but as many have mentioned, our team only plays in a true 3-4 formation for something like 1/3 of defensive snaps, so I can’t really justify an enormous price tag for Soliai, and we need to find a way to get Jared Odrick on the field more given the clear pass-rushing ability he’s demonstrated. I say QB via free agency, Melvin Ingram 1st round, RT second round to compete with Jerry and Murtha, and NT 3rd round. Rounds 4-7 will be devoted to depth at S, CB, and OL.
MartinH04 - February 18, 2012
drafting de, rt and nt first 3 rounds would doom our secondary, which needs help. We need a play maker at safety or cb.
Corners - February 18, 2012
Our base Def will still be a 3 - 4
Wake / Odrck / Starks will be our D-line with Couples / Ingram as our hybrid pass rusher.
If we take Couples, then Wake will be our hybrid pass rusher.
Our LBs will be Dansby & Burnett with either Misi / Spilter as our cover guy.
Lankford will provide depth for our D-line or start if our rookies can’t.
Solai will be gone for salary cap considerations.
Elzabar - February 18, 2012
This makes no sense
Putting Wake as 3-4 DE is waste of his talents. The 3-4 DE lines up in a 3 technique, outside the guard… which is an interior DL position. With Wake’s speed and strength he needs to rush the outside.
2nd point. Spitler looks like a cover guy, yes, but he can’t be a 3-4 OLB, at this point in his career. He hasn’t shown much to play the edge, as an OLB needs to do. If this team is going to stay in a 3-4 defense, then NT is a big position and Soliai is the best option there IMO.
The Fins have a ton of 3-4 DE’s Odrick, Starks, Langford, Merling, Daniels… but only one 3-4 NT… Soliai. I think the Fins need to show a base 4-3 with some 3-4 played in on passing downs, because if Soliai doesn’t stay there isn’t a two gap player to plug the run in the middle.
k2oconnor - February 18, 2012
Sign Mario Williams
Besides QB this would be my second priority. He is one of the best defensive players in the business and he also can play DE in a 4-3 or LB in a 3-4. This guy is worth the money. Signing him would prevent both the Jets and Patriots from signing him. Our front seven would be awesome with his addition. Ireland would have to restructure some contracts but I believe that it would be worth it.
sundevil11 - February 18, 2012
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