DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon says he has been fined by the NFL for a late, low hit on Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota and plans to appeal.

Vernon declined to say Wednesday how much he was fined. He hit the Tennessee rookie's knee Sunday and was criticized afterward by Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt, who said it appeared Vernon was trying to hurt Mariota.


(foxnews.com)

Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon found himself engulfed in controversy after hitting Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota low in the fist half Sunday on a play that injured the quarterback but didn't keep him out the game.

Tennessee head coach Ken Whisenhunt and players were upset about the hit, and word got back to Vernon after the game in the locker room.

Via his Twitter page, Vernon sent a message to Mariota and the public to give his explanation of the play.

I’ve never been a dirty player. I never intended to hurt anyone. I even checked to make sure Marcus was ok. #mariotagetwellsoon

— Olivier Vernon (@oliviervernon50) October 19, 2015

Vernon expressed a similar sentiment to the media Sunday night after the game.

"I know one thing: It wasn't intentional," Vernon said. "I've never been a dirty player in my whole career.

"Nobody tries to get personal fouls. I know one thing, they are expensive."

Intentional or not, the play certainly will be reviewed by the NFL this week. Low hits on quarterbacks often result in fines.


(espn.com)

DAVIE, Fla. -- A lot of players are currently struggling on the 1-3 Miami Dolphins, and starting defensive end Olivier Vernon certainly is among them.

Vernon was expected to post big numbers in 2015. The combination of playing in a contract year and the addition of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was expected to equal major success for Vernon this season. However, Vernon is having one of the slowest starts of his career through the first quarter of the season.

After four games, Vernon has zero sacks and just four tackles. Miami’s starting defensive end is averaging just one tackle per game and hasn’t done much to help stop the run. The Dolphins are ranked dead last in the NFL, allowing an astounding 160.5 rushing yards per game.

This week Vernon summed up his slow start in four words.

“I gotta do better,” Vernon said.

Vernon’s play is indicative of an entire Dolphins defensive line that began with high expectations and has underachieved so far. The starting four of Vernon, defensive tackle Earl Mitchell and Pro Bowlers Cameron Wake and Suh have been held without a sack. Rookie backup Jordan Phillips is the only defensive linemen to register a sack for the Dolphins this season.

Miami’s defensive line is arguably the deepest and most talented group on the roster, and the defense will go only as far as this unit can carry it this season.
“We got a lot of guys that take this serious,” Vernon said. “It just hasn’t shown up on Sunday.”

The struggles of the defense and defensive line, in part, led to major changes on the coaching staff. The Dolphins fired head coach Joe Philbin and defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle last week.

Miami promoted Dan Campbell to interim head coach to try to provide a spark. Campbell isn’t expected to make wholesale changes but plans to make important tweaks to the defense that will make the group more aggressive.

According to Vernon, players are buying into Campbell’s approach. The Dolphins travel to face the Tennessee Titans (1-3) Sunday in Campbell’s head-coaching debut.

“As a former player, he understands how it is, especially during the season when things get tough,” Vernon said. “From Dan’s standpoint, he’s played in a lot of games. So he knows how things are sometimes if you start 1-3 or 4-0. He’s seen a lot and he’s won a lot of games.”


(espn.com)

Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon (ankle) was limited in practice Wednesday, according to the Miami Herald.

Vernon left Sunday's win against Washington after suffering the injury. The Dolphins are still hoping to have Vernon available for Week 2, but he will need to show more in practice later this week for that to happen.


(cbssports.com)

Scuffle: After a lengthy lecture to players by Carolina coach Ron Rivera and Miami's Joe Philbin prior to practice, Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon and Panthers left tackle Michael Oher got into a scuffle during a speed-rush drill. Oher did a nice job of blocking Vernon, who went to the ground. With Oher standing over him, Vernon jumped up and took a swing. Players from both teams wound up in a big pile separating the two before it could escalate.

Video of back end of fight between #Panthers #dolphins pic.twitter.com/HxaBnNrXLQ

— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) August 19, 2015

In his second season, 2013, Olivier Vernon had produced all of .5 sacks through three games. Didn’t matter. Anyone tempted to wonder if this defensive end from The U was going to pan out had his answer over the next month: Vernon recorded a sack the next week, then another, and before you knew it, he had gone four straight games with a sack.

Vernon finished the season with 11.5, including three in a rout of the Jets. Everyone knew the Dolphins had spent their third-round pick in 2012 wisely.
Fast-forward to today, when Vernon is staring at an opportunity unlike any he has seen to date.

With Ndamukong Suh playing alongside Vernon next season, and Cameron Wake playing alongside him (along with, say, DT Earl Mitchell), there aren’t enough men on a football field to allow offenses the luxury of doubling Vernon, too.

Vernon went from 57 tackles in 2013 to 46 last season. Instead of quarterbacks dropping, it was his sack total that fell, to 6.5.

More alarming: Vernon managed just one sack over the final six weeks last season. If that rings a bell, it’s no coincidence those six weeks are when the defense imploded. Vernon totaled just four tackles the final four games.

That is not meant to pin the defensive problems just on Vernon. He had tons of help as that unit gave up 32 points per game those six weeks.
What’s it all mean?

Vernon, still only 24, is the first to say his career with the Hurricanes wasn’t all it should have been. It’s why he wasn’t drafted until the 72nd pick.

His hot streaks in the NFL, especially during that second season with the Dolphins, prove he has the ability. It’s why he starts opposite Wake.

But with two Pro Bowl linemen alongside Vernon, including the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, opportunity awaits. A unique opportunity at that.


(palmbeachpost.com)

Dolphins RE Olivier Vernon said he would be open to signing a contract extension with Miami.

Vernon is one of the most underrated pass rushers in the league. LE Cameron Wake gets all the attention, but Vernon has posted back-to-back solid seasons with 2014 being his best. He started all 16 games as a 24-year-old and finished with 6.5 sacks and 48 pressures one year after registering 11.5 sacks. PFF graded Vernon as a top-17 4-3 end. He's entering the final year of his rookie deal. The Dolphins have a bunch of talent on the defensive line.


(rotoworld.com)

Olivier Vernon has been getting more and more recognition for his play at defensive end. He now has earned accolades for his work off the field.

Vernon has been announced as the Dolphins’ 2014 nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide.

The award, named after the late Hall of Fame running back of the Chicago Bears, is given annually to the player who best exemplifies a commitment to philanthropy and community involvement.

“I didn’t even know I was going to get that,” Vernon said Wednesday. “It’s a great thing. I want to thank all my teammates as far as trying to get me out there and helping me out with my camps and participating. Just giving back to the community is a big thing. I love just giving back to home. My home is in my backyard right now, so I’m just glad I had the opportunity to do that.”

The list of 32 Man of the Year nominees will be pared down to three finalists in January and the winner will be announced in Arizona, the site of Super Bowl XLIX, during the fourth annual NFL Honors awards show, a two-hour prime-time special Saturday, Jan. 31, from 9-11 p.m. ET on NBC.

Vernon and the other 31 team nominees will receive a $1,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to the charity of their choice. The three finalists will receive an additional $5,000 donation, and the winner will receive an additional $20,000 donation in his name.

The Dolphins have had three winners of the award: Dwight Stephenson in 1985, Dan Marino in 1998 and Jason Taylor in 2007.

Vernon, a third-year player from the University of Miami, has been actively involved in community activities for a long time, even before he joined the Dolphins.

“I’ve always done stuff when I was back at UM with (Coach Randy) Shannon or when I was in high school doing things for the community,” Vernon said. It’s just something else that’s natural. I was always trying to give back as much as I can.”

Vernon lately has been particularly passionate about helping to grow youth football in South Florida and has been heavily involved with the Dolphins Academy, which he attended as a youth, often running camps and clinics.

Vernon’s community work also has included working with local schools in team laser tag; distributing book bags to kids in need at Dave & Buster’s; walking in support of WalkAbout Autism; reading to kids at a local library; and donating a block of tickets for every home game to various charities through his participation in an All Community Team.

This past summer, Vernon spoke to 400 middle school students at a team summit at Florida International University.

NFL.com included a short explanation on how each team came up with its nominee, and this what was written about Vernon:

How has your nominee put the needs of members in the community ahead of their own?

“Olivier is a South Florida native and is constantly serving in various capacities to make his community better. In the offseason, he schedules vacations and leisure around his community events. He wants to make sure he gives back to the kids of his community. Olivier also volunteered his time to be part of the Dolphins’ first Heads Up Football Mom’s Clinic in July. He demonstrated the importance of proper equipment fitting and answered questions from a crowd of almost 300 women.”

What is your nominee’s next initiative?

“Olivier is very active in the South Florida community and is a consistent participant in our player events on Mondays. He will have his annual football camp in May and again be very involved in helping us teach and train youth football players in South Florida.”

When did your nominee start supporting this cause?

“He started almost immediately when he was drafted to the Dolphins. He started his football camps last year and has been working with our youth football department for the three years he has been with the organization.”


(dolphins.com)

Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon joined the Joe Rose Show this morning on WQAM, with much of the focus on the challenge of beating the New England Patriots this Sunday in Foxborough, where Tom Brady’s squad is an unbelievable 27-3 over the last four seasons.

“Just trying to get this win, point blank,” he said. “We have a good game on our hands.

“We’re coming off a tough loss. Our main goal right now is to get back into position that will help us further ourselves and make it in the playoffs.”

If the Dolphins were to upset the Patriots on the road, their playoff odds would surge back to relevance, but the task will be difficult considering they haven’t beaten the Pats on their home turf since September of 2008.

A third-round selection out of the University of Miami, Vernon has been a South Florida boy for his entire football career after graduating from American High in Hialeah. Playing professionally in his hometown has created a challenge with the mass of family and friends hunting for free tickets to Dolphins games.

“I have to change my phone number a lot.” Vernon said. “That’s pretty much what happens.

“You have to limit the tickets. Everybody’s gonna ask you left and right.”

Vernon had a career year last year, leading the team with 11.5 sacks. As for how he’s been able to develop into a productive player at the game’s highest level, he spoke about the mentality needed to be successful.

“You have to be relentless out there man, because you never know when your opportunity is going to come up to make a big play and change the game. You have to take that mindset on every snap.”


(miami.cbslocal.com)

Miami DE Olivier Vernon had 11.5 sacks last year. He won’t square off against his former college teammate Seantrel Henderson Sunday, they’ll be on opposite sides of the formation, but Vernon still believes he’s one of the most athletically gifted big men he’s ever come across.

“I still think he was good,” said Vernon of Henderson. “To this day, that’s the biggest, most athletic guy I’ve seen at his size. Even when I was at UM (University of Miami), I didn’t do anything. I feel like he’s going to be a good player for that organization. We’ll see what happens.”

Henderson said he won’t be overwhelmed playing against guys he watched on TV while he was in college at Miami.

“It’s not too weird. I know a couple of guys. Olivier Vernon I played with him, so he’s going to be out there,” said Henderson. “I know a lot of guys from the Miami Dolphins. I used to seeing them when I’m down in Miami, but as far as playing against them it’s going to be just like another game.”


(buffalobills.com)

For a Dolphins team that desperately wants to connect with its community, Olivier Vernon is marketing gold.

He’s local. He has a great smile. And he’s really good.

While Pitbull has gone worldwide, Vernon is truly a man of the 305. Born in Miami. Prepped at American High. Played his college ball at the University of Miami.

Smartly, the Dolphins have made him a face of the franchise. They recently released a promotional video starring Vernon — both from today and from long ago.

In the ad, Vernon holds an aging snapshot taken of him in the grandstand of the team’s training facility in Davie; more than a decade before the Dolphins drafted him, he was a camper at their summer academy, learning the basics of the game.

Vernon had dreams of one day playing for his hometown team, but said, “I didn’t think it would be possible. What are the chances of being in Miami, playing for UM and staying in Miami and playing professional football? The odds are pretty slim of that.”

Probably at least as long as the odds of Vernon being the most productive member of the Dolphins’ loaded defensive line a year ago. After a mostly quiet rookie season, Vernon emerged with a team-best 11 1/2 sacks.

And despite questions about his size — he’s listed at 268 pounds — Vernon proved plenty capable of playing every down. And he nearly did. Vernon had more snaps in 2013 than any other defensive lineman on the roster — including Pro Bowler Cameron Wake.

“I think he kind of evolved to be honest with you, and I think probably what happened a little bit is his productivity kind of maybe took off a little bit as well,” Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said. “We were comfortable with him being on the field in critical situations.

“Maybe one of the things initially as we went into it was, ‘Well, is he going to be able to hang in there against the run? Is he big enough against the tackle-tight end combination schemes?’ And all of that stuff. He kind of proved he could do that. Then he proved that he could get involved in the pass rush and have an impact there.”

The better Vernon played, the more responsibility the Dolphins gave him. He even proved he could drop into coverage — often the biggest challenge for pass rushers.

“It wasn’t like Week 1 we said, ‘Hey, he’s going to be our guy,’ but the more we watched, the more we liked,” Philbin said.

Same goes for the people of Miami. He’s gracious with an autograph, no matter what the jersey — Dolphins, Hurricanes or even American High Patriots.

But Vernon hasn’t let his recent fame swell his head.

When asked what he plans as an encore to his breakout season, Vernon said he just wants to play his role.

Mentioned as the possible heir to Wake, now 32: “I never heard that one. I’m not even thinking about [it],” he said.

And how about when the Dolphins traded up to draft Dion Jordan, who plays the same position, last year?

“It didn’t push me at all. It just added more talent to the D-line, more depth,” Vernon said. “Dion’s a hell of a player.”

It’s apparent that Vernon would rather show you what he can do than tell you. And both he and Philbin believe he can do more in 2014.

“There is always more you can add to your arsenal in terms of pass rush, and then there are still things in the run game, from a technique standpoint, a discipline standpoint, that he can improve upon,” Philbin said. “But the one thing that was clear when we watched the film was the pursuit and the effort that he plays with was really outstanding last year.”


(miamiherald.com)

DAVIE, Fla. -- The injury list continues to grow for the Miami Dolphins. The team announced Tuesday morning that starting defensive end and 2013 sack leader Olivier Vernon has a back injury and is expected to miss multiple practices. Vernon suffered the injury during Monday's practice and didn't finish the session.

Vernon was the biggest name added to Miami's injury list Tuesday. However, backup running back Daniel Thomas (hamstring) and backup tight ends Michael Egnew (concussion) and Gator Hoskins (hamstring) also will miss multiple practices.

Do not expect any of these aforementioned players to participate in Friday's preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons.


(espn.com)

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.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF CHRISTY CABRERA CHIRINOS’ STORY


(orlandosentinel.com)

The Miami Dolphins have several question marks heading into the 2014 season. Fortunately for them, the defensive line is not one of them.

Miami has steadily built a strong collection of talent on the defensive line the past few years, via the draft and free agency. The Dolphins have one of the NFL’s deepest groups of defensive ends with Pro Bowler Cameron Wake, 2013 sack leader Olivier Vernon, valuable backup Derrick Shelby and former first-round pick Dion Jordan, who is suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Miami also has a strong rotation of defensive tackles with Randy Starks, Jared Odrick and free-agent pickup Earl Mitchell.

The Dolphins must rely on this deep group for production as well as leadership this season.

“All of us defensive linemen talked to each other, and we pretty much know what we have to do, especially when it comes to game-time situations,” Vernon said recently. “When it comes down to it, the D-line is the heart and soul of the defense. If we’re not doing what we have to do, then things start falling apart. So that’s one thing we’re trying to focus on now going into the season.”

Vernon was Miami’s biggest breakout star last season. The 2012 third-round pick made a significant jump in Year 2 from a rookie backup to leading the Dolphins with 11.5 sacks. He followed up by having a strong offseason and looks primed for another solid year.

Wake, Starks and Odrick have been consistent producers for Miami. Mitchell signed a four-year, $16 million contract this offseason after the Dolphins lost Paul Soliai in free agency. The defensive line, on paper, should be one of Miami’s strengths.

“I would say just wait for the pads to come on,” Vernon explained. “I know what kind of group we have, but I’m not going to just talk about it. I’m not the type of person [that] I don’t want to show what we have. I think all of us on the D-line will show what we have.”

Miami’s defense faces a new challenge this year in training camp. The Dolphins are implementing a new offense under first-year offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. Miami aims to use an up-tempo style with a lot of motion and formations to confuse and dictate to the defense. The Dolphins’ defense will see plenty of these elements in training camp, which starts on Friday.

“They’re doing a lot of things I’ve never seen before,” Vernon said. “They’re moving fast. [Quarterback Ryan] Tannehill is taking control and he’s showing his leadership ability, and a lot of guys are impressive.”


(espn.com)

Among the most pleasant developments for the Dolphins during the 2013 season was the emergence of defensive end Olivier Vernon as a pass-rushing force.

It may have come to a surprise to some outside the organization, but the Dolphins had high hopes for Vernon from the time they made him a third-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft. And it certainly wasn’t anything unexpected from the man himself.

In fact, Vernon is confident it was only the beginning.

“With me, I always have high confidence in myself,” Vernon said. “That’s how you play the game. You play the game with confidence. You need to have a lot of confidence when you’re out there on that field. Even my rookie year I had a lot of confidence out there. I just didn’t play as much as I expected to, but that’s how it is as a rookie.

“Coming into this season, I’ve just got to elevate my game, got to get better than I was last year on certain things. I’m looking forward to it. I wish the season was next month.”

No matter how hard he tries, Vernon will have his work cut out to match his output of 2013 when he tied for seventh in the NFL with 11.5 sacks, the first time since 2008 (Joey Porter) that any Dolphins player other than Cameron Wake had reached double digits in sacks.

The last thing Dolphins coaches should be concerned about, though, is Vernon getting complacent after his breakthrough season.

“The great thing about OV when you watch the tape, you’re hard-pressed to find guys that run to the football consistently like he does,” defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said. “He’s a great effort player, he’s a team player, he has become a lot more disciplined. His rookie season, there was always that occasional one or two plays a game where he might have not cut a line correctly or missed an opportunity on something, but last year he was on point. He’s got a chance to develop into a dynamic player.”

When Head Coach Joe Philbin was asked about Vernon during the spring, he pretty much offered the same review of Vernon in terms of his nonstop effort.

It’s that work ethic that led, in large part, to Vernon’s success last season. It’s also why he wasn’t surprised by what he accomplished.

“Obviously I was really excited,” Vernon said. “My hard work was paying off and it was showing out there on the field. Pretty much the offseason I was just working on all my fundamentals and getting everything complete as far as my hand technique and stopping the run. As soon as the season started and the results started coming in I was kind of excited about it.”

Vernon’s emergence provided a big boost for the pass rush.

But even now, Vernon somehow gets overlooked because he plays a position where the Dolphins have one of the best pass rushers in the game over the past five years and also have the first defensive player taken in the 2013 NFL draft.

Rest assured Vernon won’t be overlooked this season by opposing offensive coordinators. Truth is, he probably can expect getting more attention.

“I hope not,” he joked. “Nah, I’m playing. It’s all about making your name known out there. Everybody wants to build that respect. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

And of being possibly overlooked by the media, Vernon simply says, “It is what it is. My play is going to speak for itself. That’s all that matters.”

For Vernon, it’s not so much about the results but about the process.

“My motivation is just competition, just competing,” Vernon said. “I have my own personal goals that I had last year. I’ve just written up some new ones for this year. It’s all about keeping yourself motivated by just competing out there. That’s one thing I just love to do. I love to compete. It’s the style of player (I am). My plays and the actions are going to speak for themselves.”

In that sense, Vernon is a little bit like the greatest pass rusher in Dolphins history, Jason Taylor.

Vernon got to pick Taylor’s brain in the offseason when Taylor spent some time at the Doctors Hospital Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University as a guest coach.

“I was kind of surprised when he came out here,” Vernon said. “I was excited in a way as well. I was excited for him coming into the building. That’s a future Hall of Famer right there. He did so much for this organization and to just pick his brain on anything that he has to dish out and just help us, I was excited.

“(He did) a lot with the hand technique, being able to get the offensive lineman’s hands off you as quick as you can, just recognizing how offensive linemen set, so better play recognition and what to expect before the play starts.”

The kind of advice someone like Taylor can dish out is only bound to help Vernon and the other Dolphins defensive ends.

For Vernon, every little bit can help. And that’s what it’s all about for him, always getting better. And that comes with hard work.

“(The 2013 season) wasn’t a surprise to me because I put in the work,” he said. “When you put that work in, you try to get some good results. This year I’m just trying to do the same thing, trying to get better as a player and a person and as a leader.”


(miamidolphins.com)

ESPN Dolphins reporter James Walker pegs RE Olivier Vernon as a player whose stock continues to rise.

Vernon led the Dolphins with his 11.5 sacks last season and returned to have a dominant spring. "He's real, real good," said new LT Branden Albert, who was beaten by Vernon for two sacks in a scrimmage last week. Vernon remains ahead of last year's No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan for the starting job opposite LE Cameron Wake. The defensive line is the clear strength of the team in Miami.


(rotoworld.com)

Excited about the Dolphins’ season opener against the Patriots? You’ve got nothing on Olivier Vernon.

The Dolphins defensive end, appearing on 790 The Ticket last week, said that he circled the date (Sept. 7, at Sun Life Stadium) as soon he got his hands on the schedule.

“What really got my blood pumping is that we got New England on the first game of the season,” Vernon said. “I’m just really excited to start it off with a bang, with a conference game.”

There’s a reason Vernon, who had a breakout season in 2013 with 11.5 sacks, sounds so eager. Part of him is still stewing about the way the previous season ended.

The Dolphins would have made the playoffs if they had beaten either the Bills or the Jets in the final two weeks of the season. They lost to them both, and within two weeks, general manager Jeff Ireland and offensive coordinator Mike Sherman were both out of a job.

When asked if the bad taste was yet out of his mouth, Vernon responded: “They never really leave until the season’s right around the corner, the season starts, and you have another crack at it.”

Vernon said it’s essential that the team remain “on the same page” and finish the games that got away from it a year ago.

The work on that began this week with the start of the team’s offseason conditioning program.

Vernon made it a point to praise the effort of Dion Jordan, the draft’s No. 3 pick a year ago who finished his rookie season with just two sacks.

Jordan has been a fixture in the film room this spring, “soaking everything up like a sponge,” Vernon said.

And yet, Jordan might again have trouble seeing the field if Vernon continues making plays. The two both play defensive end, and Cameron Wake isn’t going anywhere.

So what does Vernon do for an encore? He wouldn’t disclose his goals but did say that “15’s pretty good,” referring to a possible sack total in 2014.

Fifteen sacks would almost certainly put him into the Pro Bowl, which would be sweet, considering he wasn’t even on the ballot last year. His rise was so unexpected, it caught the league by surprise.

“There’s a lot of guys that before me, they’ve had great seasons and they didn’t make it to the Pro Bowl that year,” Vernon said. “That just adds more fuel to the fire. Can’t wait until this year and see all that work I put in show on the field.”


(miamiherald.com)

Miami Dolphins second-year defensive end Olivier Vernon was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his dominant play against the New York Jets.

Vernon recorded a career-high 2.5 sacks and 10 tackles in Miami’s 23-3 victory over New York. The win put the Dolphins (6-6) back at .500 and keeps them in the race for the final wild-card spot in the AFC.

Vernon leads the Dolphins with 10.0 sacks and has been one of the team’s biggest surprises this year.


(espn.com)

Olivier Vernon, the second-year player from the University of Miami, had 2.5 sacks and 10 tackles Sunday. He now leads the team with 10 sacks for the season.

Vernon sacked Jets quarterback Geno Smith on the first play from scrimmage, and sacked backup quarterback Matt Simms twice in the fourth quarter. Not bad for a guy who was supposed to be a backup to Jordan. Apparently that was a bit of motivation for Vernon.

"The offseason was big for me," said the third-round pick in 2012. "I was working on everything I needed to work on."


(sun-sentinel.com)

First he soaked in everything he could as a rookie from veteran defensive end Cameron Wake, and now Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon is a solid compliment to the two-time Pro Bowler.

Teacher and pupil were on equal footing two days ago at Sun Life Stadium in Miami’s pivotal 20-16 win over the San Diego Chargers with both coming up with clutch sacks in the fourth quarter. Wake now leads the team with 6.5 on the season but Vernon is right on his heels at 5.5 and recorded at least one in four consecutive games, proving his slow start is a thing of the past.

“He’s been a tremendous part of this defense and this is not a surprise by any means to us,” Wake said. “We’ve seen him do it from the moment he got here so it’s great to see him actually getting some more recognition outside of the locker room. He’s literally a four-down kind of guy and that’s what you want to do when you play this game. He’s not just a specialist. On first down he’s stopping the run, third down he’s rushing the passer, he’s doing special teams and he’s done it all. So I’m glad to have him on the other side for sure.”

San Diego put rookie left tackle D.J. Fluker on Vernon the entire game, figuring his 6-foot-5, 339-pound frame would be too much for the much smaller ex-Hurricane to handle. Vernon is 6-2, 268, so he was giving up three inches in height and 71 pounds in weight.

As it turned out, Vernon pretty much had his way with Fluker and led the Dolphins in tackles with six (five solo), one for loss and two quarterback hits. His sack of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was the turning point of the game as he pushed them out of field with 4:07 remaining, knocking Fluker off balance and to the ground before wrapping up Rivers from behind.

“It’s about angles and he plays with great angles,” said defensive tackle Jared Odrick, who also had a sack in that fourth quarter. “He had Fluker’s weight going one way and then he came back on his inside shoulder and (Fluker’s) foot wasn’t posted into the ground so it slid back. It was really well executed but that’s the thing, he does that all the time in practice and he did a good job doing that.”

The comfort level Vernon has shown on the defensive line has been noticeable, especially considering the fact that he missed half of his junior season at the University of Miami. He settled into the role of defensive end nicely and finished 2012 with 3.5 sacks and 22 tackles (17 solo).

Vernon also made his mark on special teams as a rookie and was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for games played the week of October 25th-29th after he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown and blocked a field goal in Miami’s 30-9 win at the New York Jets. His sack of St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford two weeks earlier at home, which was his second of the game, forced the Rams to try a 66-yard field goal that missed in a 17-14 victory, but defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle has seen even more improvement.

“He graded out very well,” Coyle said. “Oliver has really stepped up his game. He’s playing very good. That sack that you mentioned was a real big play in the game to get them out of field goal range.”

All three sacks by the defensive line in the fourth quarter were impactful, with Odrick’s early on forcing San Diego punt from its own end zone and set up Miami’s offense with excellent field position. The Dolphins added a field goal on the ensuing drive to make it a four-point game and alter the offensive strategy of the Chargers.

Wake’s came in the final minute and forced San Diego to burn its final timeout on the drive that came up short. But both Wake and Odrick pointed to Vernon’s sack as the biggest one because of the circumstances and how much time was left, with Wake taking pride in the fact that it came from another “hybrid” defensive end. Odrick put it into a broader perspective.

“Sacks like that are the ones that you dream about, being able to really not only affect the game but in a sense end it. That’s an awesome accomplishment for O.V. to just be able to do that in that moment and I’m sure it felt great because it felt great for us to have a D-lineman finish the game like that. O.V. had a helluva game and he’s the type of player that he just keeps getting better.”

This Sunday, Vernon gets to face the big and elusive Cam Newton, quarterback of the Carolina Panthers, which will be another challenge he’s willing to take on.


(miamidolphins.com)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The Miami Dolphins had a tough day with the officials. The biggest call came in the fourth quarter following a sack on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

Down three points, Dolphins defensive back Jimmy Wilson forced Brady to fumble with nine minutes left in the game. Miami defensive end Olivier Vernon was closing in on the recovery but could not corral the football.

The ball bounced 14 more yards and Patriots left tackle Nate Solder recovered at Miami’s 45-yard line. However, the official threw the flag on Olivier for illegally batting the ball forward.

Instead of losing 22 total yards, New England gained 10 yards on the penalty. The 32-yard swing led to the Patriots scoring their final touchdown four plays later in a 27-17 victory against Miami.

“You know, our stance was we thought he was trying to recover it,” Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said. “And they said he illegally batted it.”

Here was referee Walt Anderson’s explanation after the game via the pool report:

“The official on the field, what he ruled was that the player batted it forward, which is an intentional act. Players cannot bat the ball forward. With it being the defensive team they couldn’t bat it in that direction. The offensive team likelwise could not have batted it forward from their side of the field.”

Anderson further explained that the play was not reviewable.

Players in Miami’s locker room would not elaborate much on the questionable officiating Sunday. That may have been an edict from Philbin. It also prevents players from getting fined.

There were a few other plays such as a defensive holding call on Miami cornerback Dimitri Patterson and a potential sideline catch by receiver Rishard Matthews that didn’t go the Dolphins’ way. But Vernon’s call was clearly the most important.

“I was trying to make a play,” Vernon said. “But the ref called it and that’s what it is.”


(espn.com)

DAVIE – Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon, who attended the University of Miami, said Tuesday he thought UM losing three scholarships a year for the next three years was a bit too harsh of a penalty.

Vernon, who served a six-game suspension in 2011 for his role in the scandal, said he thinks UM’s self-imposed penalties should have sufficed. But he also understood the NCAA had to do something.

“I don’t think they should have (received any additional penalty),” Vernon said, “but they were under that scrutiny for a while so they had to do something.”

Vernon, however, said Tuesday’s announcement was palatable.

“I think it was better than what was expected,” he said. “You only got a few scholarships taken away for three years. So that’s better than what was expected was going to come down on us. I’m happy for those guys.”

Running back Lamar Miller, a former UM player, said, “losing three scholarships later on will be a big factor, but right now it really doesn’t matter.”

Miller said he thinks the self-imposed bowl ban was successful judging from Tuesday’s announcement.

“I thought it was going to be a bowl ban, too,” he said, “but the last two years they didn’t go to a bowl game.”

Miller played with the cloud of NCAA sanctions and scrutiny hanging over his head in his junior season, and possible sanctions were one of the factors that made him enter the draft a year early.

“I think it’s a relief for (the players),” he said. “When I was there we really didn’t know much about it until after the season.

“Everyone wants to play in a bowl game. That’s what you work hard for the entire season. Now it gives (the players) more motivation to want to go to a BCS bowl because we haven’t been there for a while now. I think they will be more motivated and hungry to go get it.”

Recently-acquired offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie also said the end of the bowl ban is a good thing.

“I’m glad they get to go to a bowl game because they’ve had a good season so far,” he said. “I’m glad it is behind them and they can move forward now. I’m happy for them.”

That seems to be the bottom-line thought of all the Dolphins that are former ’Canes.

“It’s done with,” Vernon said. “It’s finally overwith, behind, so now those guys can move forward and play for something.”


(sun-sentinel.com)

DAVIE —— Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon had no idea who was leading the team in sacks when he was told Tuesday afternoon.
It's Vernon, with 3.5. He's barely ahead of defensive tackle Randy Starks (3.0 sacks) and end Cam Wake (2.5 sacks).

"I didn't even know that," said Vernon, a second-year player. "I'm just trying to keep grinding it out and do things my coaches ask for."

Vernon started slowly this season, struggling against the run and pass. But his play has improved greatly the last three weeks, which, coincidentally, has been when Wake, the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end, has been slowed due to a knee injury.

Nowadays, Vernon is good against the pass and a better than average against the run. The latter is a sign of hard work. Vernon was almost exclusively a pass-rushing specialist last season, when he totaled 3.5 sacks.

"From last year to this year, I feel like I've improved much more, especially in the run game," he said. "That's one thing I didn't have that many [plays] last year because I was coming in as a specialist. This year, I knew I was going to have to take on some more roles and I've been trying to grind it out every day and show up on Sundays."

Vernon is now part of a developing defensive end rotation that also includes Derrick Shelby and rookie Dion Jordan. Vernon's contribution will be needed even more this week when the Dolphins travel to New England to take on quarterback Tom Brady, tight end Rob Gronkowski and that dangerous Patriots passing game.

Vernon will be ready.

"I felt like coming into the season I prepared well during the offseason, worked on a lot of things I had to improve on," he said. "It might not have shown stat-wise at the beginning of the season, but play for play, I felt like I was much better than last year."


(sun-sentinel.com)

DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins completed their 2013 training camp Thursday, and one of the top players in camp was second-year defensive end Olivier Vernon.

The former third-round draft pick has been arguably Miami's most improved player throughout organized team activities, minicamps and training camp. Vernon beat out No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan for the starting job at defensive end, although Jordan has been hampered by an injured shoulder.

Vernon was a backup for the Dolphins last year and registered 3.5 sacks off the bench. This year he’s looking for more. I caught up with Vernon Thursday after the final practice of camp to get thoughts on his progress.

James Walker: Olivier, you and left tackle Jonathan Martin have been going at it a lot in this camp. How much are you making each other better for the regular season?
Olivier Vernon: We’re making each other a whole lot better. We try to go against each other every time in practice. As far as pass-rush moves, with me using my hand techniques, I’ve learned so much [facing Martin]. I’ve grown so much from last year to now, it’s like a whole different person. I have him to thank for that. He helped me a lot, and being able to see him, he’s gotten so much better. It works hand and hand.

Walker: I was going to ask about your growth since your rookie year. Has the game slowed down for you in Year 2?
Vernon: Last year was a whole boatload I had to learn. It was kind of overwhelming. But I just tried to go out there and played my best. Now, this year I feel like I know most of the things that’s going on. So it’s much easier. You don’t have to worry about, “Do I have to do this? Do I have to do that?” It slows down for you mentally.

Walker: What’s it been like playing for Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle?
Vernon: He’s a real cool dude. He sets people in position to make plays. If you know your role and you’re good at your role and do your job, you’re going to make plays. Last year was a new coaching staff, so he couldn’t put everything in. We had to crawl before we [could] walk. So this year it should be more things added on defense-wise.

Walker: Miami’s defensive line has a lot of depth. What’s the ceiling for this group?
Vernon: It can be great. We got a special D-line group. We all try to make each other better, especially with competition. The sky is the limit I feel like for this D-line.

Walker: Any predictions for your alma mater this year: the University of Miami?
Vernon: For the U? I know they’re going to beat the Gators [laughs]. That's for one. But I feel like they’re going to be okay. They’re going to be alright. It all depends on what happens with this whole NCAA thing [investigation].


(espn.com)

When the Dolphins took Dion Jordan with the third overall pick in the draft, everyone looked to him as the player who would line up opposite Cameron Wake and help maximize the pass rush on defense this season.

Jordan may wind up filling that role, although he’ll have some catching up to do once he gets off the non-football injury list. Until he does, Olivier Vernon is playing with the first team at defensive end and the 2012 third-round pick isn’t planning on giving up the job without a struggle.

“Last year was that learning year. I had to soak everything in and play my role,” Vernon said, via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “This year I’m just trying to get a feel for everything that will be thrown at me. I’m trying to be an every down type of player. I’m trying to prove something out here.”

Vernon’s role last season was almost totally that of a situational pass rusher. He had 3.5 sacks in 445 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, a number that shows some promise as a complement for Wake if he succeeds in proving that he can play the run as well. Should the Dolphins get that to go with Jordan, their pass rush would take a big step forward from last season.


(profootballtalk.com)

Dolphins 2012 third-round pick Olivier Vernon opened training camp as the team's starting right defensive end.

The Fins loved what they saw from Vernon at spring workouts, and he flashed with 3.5 sacks on limited snaps as a rookie. This position may eventually go to Dion Jordan or perhaps incumbent RE Jared Odrick, but the Dolphins want Vernon geared up for an increased role. He has explosive pass-rushing traits.


(rotoworld.com)

Olivier Vernon, Miami Dolphins defensive end: Vernon capped off a solid offseason with Miami during mandatory minicamp. After moving 2012 starting defensive end Jared Odrick inside to defensive tackle, Vernon is now the early favorite to start at defensive end heading into training camp. The 2012 third-round pick received an additional boost up the depth chart due to 2013 first-round pick Dion Jordan's absence. Jordan could not participate with the Dolphins this offseason due to the quarter system at the University of Oregon. He also is recovering from shoulder surgery in February. Therefore, Vernon got a lot of valuable reps with the first-team defense and showed many of the flashes he displayed his rookie year. It’s no secret that Jordan, the No. 3 overall pick last April, will eventually supplant Vernon in the starting lineup. But Vernon did all he could to hold his spot and may be in the starting lineup for Miami in Week 1.


(espn.com)

DAVIE— Olivier Vernon's first step is definitely explosive, but the ones that follow his take off are even more impressive.

But we're not talking about this Dolphins defensive lineman's pass rushing repertoire. Vernon's rush skills are still being polished.

What sets Vernon apart from his counterparts on Miami's defensive line is his unique ability to drop back into coverage and run downfield stride-for-stride with tailbacks, tight ends, and even receivers.

The former University of Miami standout did it occasionally during his college career, and in instances during his rookie season with the Dolphins.

But it appears defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle will be turning up the volume, calling on this hybrid player to drop back more in 2013. Coyle continues to install some rather unique blitzes that the defense was experimenting with this offseason.

"I like what we see from him, no question," coach Joe Philbin said of Vernon, whom the Dolphins selected in the third round of last year's draft.

With Jared Odrick moving inside to defensive tackle, Vernon has spent every snap this summer as the Dolphins' starting right side defensive end. His tweener skills have encouraged the coaches to get a little creative.

"The good thing about him is he can put his hand on the ground and he can function. You can put him in a two-point stance and he can function. And then as he grows as a player you can maybe move him around to a couple different spots," Philbin said.

"That creates what we call targeting issues for the offense, and identification issues."

The Dolphins new-look defense is all about creating confusion about roles, assignments and coverages; therefore, versatile players such as Vernon will be the key.

But that's if Vernon manages to keep the starting spot. The Dolphins used a first-round pick to draft Oregon's Dion Jordan, a player with similar tweener skills, and comparable athleticism to Vernon.

Jordan, whom the Dolphins traded up to select third overall, played outside linebacker in Oregon's 3-4 defense, and routinely dropped back into coverage. When he finally joins the Dolphins during training camp, which opens in late-July, Jordan will be moved to defensive end, where he'll compete with Vernon for the starting spot opposite Cameron Wake.

Vernon doesn't seem too concerned about his competition's first-round draft status.

"Everybody will have an opportunity, especially during training camp." said Vernon, who contributed 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks and forced one fumble in his 445 snaps as a rookie. "Whoever is the best fit for the position will have the spot.

"If he can help the team he can help the team. That's what we need. We need guys who can come in and make plays."

But Vernon has no intentions of backing down, nor should he considering pound-for-pound he's one of the best athletes on the roster.

"Olivier did an outstanding job for us as a rookie. He had a tough learning curve but he did an excellent job," defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers said of Vernon, who started just 16 games at UM before leaving after his suspension-shortened junior season.

"When [the coaches] went through the cut ups [of film] in the offseason we felt like we have to get this guy on the field to play more."

Rodgers said Vernon has made "great strides" during the offseason program. He's been working out weekly at the team facility since January, and hasn't taken a break from weight lifting.

As a result he's bulked up to 268 pounds, which he believes will help him set the edge better.

Wake said the biggest improvement Vernon has made is his "football awareness," understanding situations, schemes, formations better. That's an edge he'll have over Jordan, who has missed all of the Dolphins' offseason program because of NFL rules.

"Last year was a welcome to the NFL type situation," Wake said. "Now [Vernon] knows what's going on."

He also knows what to expect.


(sun-sentinel.com)

Dolphins second-year DE Olivier Vernon has taken reps with the first-team defense at OTAs.

With Randy Starks (franchise tag) and Dion Jordan (late graduation) both away from the offseason sessions, Vernon has worked as the first-team right end and Jared Odrick has been the starting tackle next to Paul Soliai. Vernon won't be an every-down player in 2013, but he should have a role in sub-packages. The 2012 third-round pick registered 3.5 sacks off the bench as a rookie.


(rotoworld.com)

Little did they know it back then, but a decade ago the Miami Dolphins were developing their first true homegrown prospect in 12-year-old Olivier Vernon.

Vernon, now 22, remembers his experience at the team’s youth football camp in 2003 like it just happened. It was then that Vernon decided for himself that football and not soccer was going to be his passion and he planned his future.

“Actually, during my first week of OTAs last year that was going through my head,” said Vernon, a defensive end who was chosen in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Dolphins out of the University of Miami. “Where we have lunch now, that’s where I would eat lunch as a kid because that’s where we had the little snacks and stuff. Then they brought us into the team meeting room and we watched the season highlights of the Dolphins. What are the odds of me being in the team meeting room again as a Miami Dolphin?”

If the resume Vernon put together for a high school a project is any indication, he already was setting some favorable odds. His objective at the top of the page read, “To obtain a position in the National Football League.” Clearly a lofty goal to some at the time, but Vernon was serious.

The fact that he was named the MVP of the Dolphins football camp in that summer of 2003 added credence to Vernon’s vision, and that was the third consecutive summer he participated.

His father, Lascelles, was a soccer player back in his native Jamaica before an unfortunate accident ended his career in high school, so while initially he was saddened by his son’s choice to stop soccer for football, he had no doubt that Olivier would reach his goal.

“Anything he puts his mind to he always sees it through and he doesn’t like to lose,” Lascelles Vernon said. “He’s very competitive and that’s what he wanted to do since he was a kid. It was very exciting watching him at Dolphins camp and everyone was amazed at how fast he was and how much stamina he had. That came from soccer and he was excited to tour the facilities and meet the Dolphins players.”

Bernadette Vernon proudly displays the jerseys her son wore all those years ago in Davie, including one with former Dolphins quarterback Jay Fiedler’s autograph on the back among others. She also kept the autographed Dolphins football Olivier received for being named as the camp's MVP along with lots of photos of him and his friends practicing and playing.

After watching her son excel at soccer as well as an art student, Bernadette also was caught a little off guard about his newfound passion for football. He pursued it at Miami American High School and used the skills he learned at Dolphins Camp to get a leg up on the competition and his mother realized this would be his calling.

“He knew what he wanted do from the time he was in middle school and I saw how much fun he was having at that football camp,” said Bernadette, who got to watch Olivier play in the same stadium as the Dolphins with the Miami Hurricanes. “It’s incredible. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to remind me that it’s real and that my son who wrote on his resume that he was going to be in the NFL is there now.”

Vernon can laugh now about what he was like as a young camper taking instructions from former Dolphins and NFL players.

He even got to experience a role reversal last year with the rest of his rookie closs as the student became the teacher at a special rookie clinic for kids. There was no doubt Vernon enjoyed sharing his story with them.

“Kids look up to people like us at this level,” he said. “I let them know that dreams can come true and that I was sitting right where they were when I was their age dreaming about being here.”

Oliver Vernon’s dream started at the Dolphins Academy football camps 10 years ago, sign up today and maybe yours will start there as well.


(miamidolphins.com)

Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland said DE Olivier Vernon is "going to get much, much better." Vernon, a 2012 third-round pick out of Miami, will spend the offseason working out with and learning pass-rush moves from Cameron Wake.




(fantasysp.com)

Richard Marshall, Kheeston Randall and Olivier Vernon along with Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders and T.D. visited an art class at Nova Blanche Forman Elementary in Davie. The Dolphins players joined a group of 5th grade students making bowls out of clay to support the Empty Bowls program. The students were selected to make the bowls with the players because they have been performing well in school.

The bowls will be auctioned off as a part of the Empty Bowls program, which helps to raise money for Souper Bowl of Caring. The Souper Bowl of Caring is a youth-focused, national effort working to see Super Bowl weekend become the largest weekend of giving and serving in the life of our country. Participation includes youth representing a variety of faith groups, schools, civic organizations and businesses in all 50 states and several other countries. 100% of all funds raised from the school auctions will be directly donated to Feeding South Florida.


(miamidolphins.com)