Olivier Vernon to get shot on the D-line

The Miami Dolphins' colors are aqua, orange, white and navy, but the team's defensive line has looked pretty green in recent practices.

Miami touts a solid starting lineup of veteran defensive ends Jared Odrick and Cameron Wake and tackles Randy Starks and Paul Soliai, all Pro Bowl candidates. However, it gets very inexperienced very quickly after the projected starters. Rookie defensive ends Olivier Vernon and Derrick Shelby are listed as second-teamers and first-year tackle Kheeston Randall also is listed as a top backup.

Combine that with an injury to second-team defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, then it falls to rookie Chas Alecxih to take his place.

If you have been doing the math, that's a second unit comprised entirely of rookies.

However, first-year defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle was pleased with the play of the reserves in a preseason-opening 20-7 loss to Tampa Bay and expects the team to build on that against Carolina on Friday.

“When our seconds got in the game, the intensity level, the execution level was terrific,” Coyle said. “They had four three-and-outs in the second half. There was only one drive that they were able to muster up anything and they got a field goal off of that one I think.”


(cbssports.com)