Sparano inspects Miami's defense

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http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/miami-dolphins/story/620152.html

Sparano inspects Miami's defense

BY DAVID J. NEAL
Miami Herald

With linebacker Joey Porter on the nonfootball injury list, here's how the Dolphins' first-team defense has lined up over the first two days of practice:

Jason Ferguson was at nose guard, flanked by Matt Roth and Vonnie Holliday; Rob Ninkovich and Charlie Anderson at the left and right outside linebacker spots; Channing Crowder and Akin Ayodele at inside linebacker; Will Allen and Andre' Goodman on the corners; and Yeremiah Bell and Jason Allen at safety.

Ayodele, a starter in Dallas last year, has been in the spot anticipated for former Giants linebacker Reggie Torbor. Also, on the second team, second-round pick Phillip Merling has been taking most of his snaps at right defensive end, and Quentin Moses has been working at right outside linebacker.

After what Merling admitted was a tough morning practice Saturday as he understandably got overwhelmed by NFL speed and South Florida heat and humidity, he was much stronger later Saturday and Sunday.

''I love his movement,'' Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. ``I think the guy moves really well out there. He's got a nice knack with his hands. He can get off a block. He doesn't stay blocked for long periods of time that way, which is a great quality when you're inside as a defensive lineman. Some of those defensive linemen can get stuck to you. He's not one of those guys.''

Moses, 24, and Anderson, 26, have speed and size (6-5, 260 and 6-4, 250, respectively) associated with linebackers on Bill Parcells-connected teams. Moses has the elongated arms and legs of a basketball player that many defensive coaches love. In fact, he made one Georgia All-State team as a high school basketball player.

''He does a good job with his hands,'' Sparano said of Moses. ``I see a little bit of burst right now. It's still early to tell with him. We need to see it in games and we need to see it out there certainly a lot more.''

LINE SHUFFLE

The first-unit offensive line remained the same for the second consecutive day. Mixing and matching probably will begin soon, even if the line had not given up five sacks and several pressures in Sunday's team drills.

THINKING AHEAD

Either in a show of obsessive preparation or great optimism -- seeing as how this maneuver usually is used when a team is ahead late in the game -- six or seven snaps Sunday were devoted to practicing the intentional safety.

And not just your garden-variety intentional safety, in which punter Brandon Fields takes the snap and runs out of the end zone. The Dolphins also practiced the intentional safety from their 20-yard line out of a standard offensive formation. The quarterback would take the snap, turn and fire the ball out the back of the end zone.

PACKING 'EM IN

For the second consecutive day, the Dolphins' practice facility stands were packed. The Dolphins said 1,700 saw Sunday's practice, the most of any of the weekend's three practices.

Monday's 9 a.m. practice will be open to the public, but the 5 p.m. practice will be in the practice bubble and closed to the public.