Olivier Vernon hoping for another productive year

DAVIE — Before signing with the Miami Dolphins, Branden Albert didn't know much about Olivier Vernon.

But it hasn't taken long for the third-year defensive end to earn the respect of Albert, a veteran Pro Bowl left tackle who joined the Dolphins in March and now lines up against Vernon in practice.

"I just knew when I came in that he had a lot of sacks, but I didn't know what type of player he was until the first couple of days of practice," Albert said of Vernon.

"I said 'I'm going to have my hands full during OTAs and training camp.' He's a hard worker, he's a hell of an athlete, a hell of a defensive end. I think he's going to be a special player. He's already a special player. I think he's going to make some noise."

It's hard to fault Albert, or anyone outside South Florida, for not knowing what Vernon can do.

Before registering 11.5 sacks last year in a surprising breakout season, Vernon was a young player trying to make the transition from the University of Miami to the NFL.

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(orlandosentinel.com)