Questions among the linebacker group were ubiquitous leading into the 2018

Miami Dolphins training camp Womens Danny Amendola Jersey , as Raekwon McMillan had missed his rookie season to an ACL injury, and Kiko Alonso had a rough year transitioning to outside linebacker in 2017, especially in pass coverage. The Dolphins selected Jerome Baker in the 3rd round of the 2018 NFL Draft: 6’1”, 229. A nickel linebacker at best, right? At least he’d theoretically help against tight ends and running backs, everybody is running 11 personnel, it’s a passing league, yada yada yada, or so went the collective group-think.By season’s end, Jerome Baker garnered 679 snaps http://www.thedolphinsfootballauthentic.com/davon-godchaux-jersey-authentic , and one can argue emerged as the most talented linebacker on the Dolphins roster, doing some of the very things that were predicted. The installation of Brian Flores’ defense leans towards a true hybrid defense, not just empty effervescence that’s typically said during the off-season — I know you’ve heard the tales about how versatile and attacking defensive coordinators schemes will be.2018 New England Patriots defense by personnel grouping The Patriots had six different starting personnel groupings, listed in order of frequency:3 DL-3 LB-5 SEC (7 occurrences)4 DL-3 LB-4 SEC (3)4 DL-2 LB-5 SEC (3)5 DL-2 LB-4 SEC (1)3 DL-2 LB-6 SEC (1)3 DL-4 LB-4 SEC (1) Although not a conglomerate of every snap, you can see that the Patriots didn’t start four linebackers except one game (in their Week 3 contest). Jerome Baker had 679 snaps, ranking 3rd on the Dolphins LB unit — the Patriots’ 3rd linebacker received 225 fewer snaps. Kiko Alonso, the Dolphins leading LB snap-getter, may be on the way out. According to spotrac.com, the Dolphins can move on with a $4.7M net cap differential (8.2M in salary comes off the books, but $3.5 in dead money would be added). I predict that Jerome Baker becomes the leading snap-getter in 2019 Youth Minkah Fitzpatrick Jersey , and he might be asked to add 10 pounds as he might have to play in more “inside” situations and deal with an increase in block-shedding situations. Jerod Mayo, who played at 6’1”, 230 pounds at the University of Tennessee, spent his first two seasons at outside linebacker before moving to inside linebacker his junior year. He plumped up to 237 by the NFL Combine, and hovered in the 240-250 pound range during his playing career as the inside linebacker for the New England Patriots. Short yardage situation close to the red zone, this is effectively a 4-4 look vs. 22 personnel (2 RB’s, 2 TE’s). Baker is a “3 stack backer” in this play, or in other words, he’s stacked with the 3-technique of the DL (the guy lined up between the right guard and right tackle). He wouldn’t normally have a 4th DL in front of him in a base scenario, but this is about where an ILB would be playing depth-wise in a 3-4 look. The sideline-to-sideline burst is apparent Youth Kenny Stills Jersey , the concern will be in those situations where he’s fighting off offensive linemen and expected to make plays post-grapple. I anticipate more 3 DL looks under Brian Flores, and as a result, Jerome Baker will prove his mettle by navigating through traffic and being able to disengage from blockers.The Oakland Raiders run strong side here (and the Raiders left tackle possibly gets away with a holding call on Robert Quinn) with a fullback and Jared Cook in the slot. Rodney Hudson is designed to get up to the 2nd level and cut the WILL off. Baker keeps light feet, side steps Hudson (one of the better centers in the NFL) and brings down Marshawn Lynch. I feel comfortable with Baker combing through traffic east-and-west.Baker played this poorly in my opinion, he had inside help and gave up outside leverage. Collapsing inside earlier could have allowed him to disengage and get back outside, or simply continuing his angle outside would’ve forced the ball carrier inside to Cameron Wake (or TJ McDonald if he somehow took a slippery wide angle to avoid Wake). Jared Cook doesn’t get much of a block on him either, so it’s disappointing Baker didn’t have more of an impact on this play. North-south collisions were a mixed bag for Jerome Baker in 2018 as is, but it’s plays like these that make me nervous where he needs to take on a block (this time in a jet sweep situation), create separation, and track down the ball carrier. I think Jerome Baker can add weight without sacrificing his athleticism a la Jerod Mayo. Baker will still have a premium in passing situations regardless. With the possibility of adding another 300 snaps to his plate and the defensive scheme installation on the horizon http://www.thedolphinsfootballauthentic.com/kiko-alonso-jersey-authentic , Jerome Baker will be asked to be our most versatile linebacker, our most trusted linebacker. It’ll depend on growing from a supremely important niche role to a “jack of all trades”, including playing inside. Do you think this characterization is accurate, and do you think Baker is up to the task? Let me know down in the Comments Section!Florida State Seminoles @ University of Miami Hurricanes Live Thread & Game Information In years past (okay, its been a few years for FSU and quite a few for UM) one of these two teams, the Miami Hurricanes or the Florida State Seminoles entered their annual rivalry game with national championship aspirations. Some years both teams were vying for the top spot in the country but this season seems like one of those where both are still working on rebuilding and neither will wind up in the final four playoff (And why is it only 4 and not 8?).The Miami Hurricanes enter the week ranked 17th nationally while the Seminoles enter the week un-ranked. The FSU faithful are not used to their team being un-ranked but this is one of those rivalry games where it doesn’t really matter who’s ranked or not ranked or ranked where or what the records of the two teams are coming into the game. While there are many big rivalries between different teams from around the country few have resulted in more drama than when these two play. Long before last seasons thrilling come from behind victory by Miami there were several games where the two teams played as even a game as you will see if not for a kick going wide right with the occasional wide left. Many years Miami prevailed if only by what seemed to be sheer luck but the good ones always have some luck. The Noles of course also had their run of success and when both of these teams get back to the top of the rankings college football will be better for it.While those storied years of the Canes were good to the program, resulting in their share of championships it’s been the Noles who have ruled the roost in recent years. Until last seasons shocking come from behind win by the Canes the Noles had dominated the Canes including a streak where they beat the U 7 times in row. Even with last years loss the Noles have a 6 game win streak in Miami that the Cane’s will be looking to break. Will the Canes start a new streak coming off of last years win or will it be the Noles that keep their streak in Miami alive? The Hurricanes at one time dominated the overall record between the two clubs but now hold only a narrow lead at 32 to 30 all time.Florida State Seminoles (3-2) 5th ACC Atlantic Division @ University Of Miami Hurricanes (4-1) 1st ACC Coastal Division When: 3:30 PM ESTWhere: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida TV: ABCOdds: Hurricanes -14Over/Under: 48.5