Dolphins staff coming together ... or is it?

[CF DolFan]

When Gase was hired their were certain names being thrown around who were coming. Bengals assistant Vance Joseph was supposedly coming to be Miami's defensive coordinator. now it looks like he is awaiting to see what Hue Jackson does as he might go with him.  Another rumor is Cowboys DBs coach Jerome Henderson is electing to remain with Dallas although he was supposedly coming.

On another note Clint Hurtt, who coached defensive linemen at the University of Miami for six seasons, will join Gase's staff as well as former Charger and Patriot Shawn Jefferson.

[Sunstroke]

I'm reeeeally hoping that Hue Jackson comes to San Francisco...

[CF DolFan]

With that said Vance Joseph commits to be Miami's Defensive Coordinator.

[EDGECRUSHER]

So, I guess we are 2 for 2 in terms of coaches that we want. Doesn't mean anything now, but better than getting our 8th choice.

For as shameful as we are, other franchises looking for coaches are in worse shape. At least we aren't the Browns and Niners.

[Rich]

I would feel better if we had a little more experience at DC since we have no experience at HC.

[masterfins]

Other Additions announced:

Matt Burke - LB coach
Shane Day - TE coach
Shawn Jefferson - WR coach

and Chris Foerster as offensive line coach, this being probably the most important of the four IMO.  Foerster has been a O-line coach for several NFL and collegiate teams.  He had a previous stint with the Dolphins in 2004 as Offensive Coordinator, but that was a doomed season after Ricky retired, and ultimately led to Wanny's firing in November.  He didn't return in 2005 when Saban came in.  Hopefully he'll be able to make something out of the mess that is the O-line.

[Sunstroke]

He coached the 49ers O-line last season, but I can't hold him responsible for that trainwreck. One thing is certain, he needs to have a lot more talent to work with than is currently on the roster.

[CF DolFan]

Foerster was the Dolphins offensive coordinator during Wanny's last year as well as a part of the Hurricane's staff during the Nevin Shapiro fiasco.

[Dolfanalyst]

Interesting that Joseph is the DC now, in that he has far more a history with the 3-4 than with the 4-3.

We could see Suh now lined up in JJ Watt's position, with Vernon and Chris McCain coming off the ends as 3-4 linebackers, and with Dion Jordan now back in the mix in that spot, as well, depending on how he's recovering.

Getting some benefit from Jordan would be a coup, in that he was the third pick overall at a time when the franchise desperately needed production from that draft choice.  Joseph as the DC, assuming he shifts to the 3-4, opens up that possibility a great deal more in my opinion.  Jordan is much better suited to be a 3-4 OLB than he is any other position on the field.

[CF DolFan]

I'm not sure what you are saying ... Joseph is coming from a 4-3 and is expected to keep the 4-3 as that is Miami's personnel.

[Dolfanalyst]

I'm not sure what you are saying ... Joseph is coming from a 4-3 and is expected to keep the 4-3 as that is Miami's personnel.

OK thanks -- I wasn't aware that Cincinnati was playing a 4-3 defense.  I was basing my statement on this here:

http://www.houstontexans.com/tv-media/videos/Xs-and-Os-Joseph-on-secondary-/01fd92ca-8428-4d2d-8fba-b5b520ce1c09

[Rich]

Interesting that Joseph is the DC now, in that he has far more a history with the 3-4 than with the 4-3.

We could see Suh now lined up in JJ Watt's position, with Vernon and Chris McCain coming off the ends as 3-4 linebackers, and with Dion Jordan now back in the mix in that spot, as well, depending on how he's recovering.

Getting some benefit from Jordan would be a coup, in that he was the third pick overall at a time when the franchise desperately needed production from that draft choice.  Joseph as the DC, assuming he shifts to the 3-4, opens up that possibility a great deal more in my opinion.  Jordan is much better suited to be a 3-4 OLB than he is any other position on the field.

We do not have the personnel to run a 3-4. Suh can't be a nose and he really isn't tall enough to be a 3-4 DE.

About the only player on the roster that can play the nose is Phillips and I wouldn't trust him at it. Nose tackle may be the most critical position in the front 7 of a 3-4.

[Tenshot13]

We do not have the personnel to run a 3-4. Suh can't be a nose and he really isn't tall enough to be a 3-4 DE.

About the only player on the roster that can play the nose is Phillips and I wouldn't trust him at it. Nose tackle may be the most critical position in the front 7 of a 3-4.

6'4" is too short to play DE in a 3-4?  I think he'd be fine there.

I wouldn't trust Phillips at NT either, but I think he'd be good as the other DE.

Having said all of that, I'd rather stick with the 4-3 defense.

[Dolfanalyst]

You'd have to get a NT from elsewhere (draft or FA) to play the 3-4, but I don't think Suh would be completely out of place as a 3-4 DT, and I think you'd get more production out of Jordan Phillips as a 3-4 DT.  He may in fact be a natural for it, and his ceiling may be very high.

It may be worth it to make the switch, considering that Suh's talent could probably make up for whatever physical incompatibilities he'd have with the 3-4 DT position, and you'd be elevating the play perhaps of Phillips, Vernon, McCain, and Jordan (if he's alive).

You might also be elevating (or at least maintaining) the play of Jenkins and Misi as 3-4 ILBs, while removing as much of the need for the sideline-to-sideline 4-3 MLB the team currently doesn't have.  The run defense suffers in large part because of the absence of that player in my opinion, and a switch to a 3-4 would address that to some extent.

[Rich]

6'4" is too short to play DE in a 3-4?  I think he'd be fine there.

You're right, my mistake. I thought he was 6'2.

I wouldn't trust Phillips at NT either, but I think he'd be good as the other DE.

He'd have to cut significant weight to play DE in a 3-4.