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The switch is an experiment instigated when the Dolphins began offseason workouts. Misi swapped spots with Dannell Ellerbe, who moved from the middle to the outside in Miami's 4-3 scheme.
He moved back to the middle when he joined the Dolphins last year.
The experiment will likely continue the rest of this week at least, with two more practices scheduled.
"He has such a physical presence," Coyle said. "When Koa hits you, you stay hit for a while. I can't tell you how many times we've used Koa as the example of, 'This is how you compete each and every snap on defense.'"
In the middle, Misi said, he must adjust to the heavier traffic and change the way he reads keys. In addition, playing in the middle — the mike position — requires that the laid-back Misi assume more of a leadership role.
"It's a lot of fun," Misi said. "But I seem to get on a boat that doesn't catch too many fish. Hopefully this year that will change."
"He plays the right way. And he has great leadership qualities. So we want to take a look at him in the interior. We'll see how he adjusts to that position and relates to the other players and the defense in general. So far he has done a nice job,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys."
"Whatever will help the team, I'm down for,cheap nfl jerseys outlet," Ellerbe said. "It doesn't matter where we play."
Linebacker was considered a weakness last year for the Dolphins, but they didn't address the area with a major acquisition in free agency or the draft, and now coach Joe Philbin is looking at the position switch as a possible remedy.
With the season three months away,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, the Dolphins are casting about for ways to improve their defense, which is why Misi found himself at middle linebacker during Monday's offseason practice.
"Since I got here I've been switching positions," he said. "I'm always open to try something new. If it works,Wholesale NHL Jerseys, it works. If not, well go back to the way things were."
Defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle said the switch is a work in progress, but he likes the idea of Misi in the middle.
He spent his first four NFL seasons mostly at strong-side linebacker, but the Miami coaching staff believes Misi might be better suited to clogging up the middle for a team that ranked 24th in rushing defense and 21st in yards allowed in 2013.
Philip Wheeler remains at weak-side linebacker, where second-year pro Jelani Jenkins could challenge him for playing time.
"I can't commit today to say that it's a done deal," Coyle said, "but certainly I like what we're seeing."
"Mike is the leader of the defense," he said. "It forces you to be more vocal. You've got to make all the calls, and you have to know pretty much the whole defense to get in the right spot to make a play."
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins linebacker Koa Misi says he's looking forward to the team's annual fishing tournament this weekend, when he hopes to end a slump.
"One of the things I've liked about him is when we do a year-end video cutup and show examples of how to take on a block,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, tackle properly and pursue to the ball, he shows up on a lot of those cuts," Philbin said.
The 6-foot-3, 254-pound Misi was considered the best of the three starting linebackers last season. He won praise for his sound fundamentals, sure tackling and run-stopping skills.
Ellerbe said his attitude is the same. He played four seasons at outside linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens before replacing an injured Ray Lewis in the middle during their Super Bowl championship season in 2012.
Misi has been used at both outside linebacker spots and played a little defensive end early in his career,Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys, so he's accustomed to position changes. |
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