Team out to make most of defensive versatility

DAVIE — Defensive versatility, something the Miami Dolphins have sought for years, seems to be giving the team options in this week’s three-day minicamp and the entire offseason. At all three levels — defensive line, linebacker and secondary — the Dolphins are experimenting with their versatility and defensive coordinator Matt Burke seems happy with what he’s seeing.

In the secondary, the versatility is led by guys such as cornerback safety and cornerback

who can play inside and outside or cornerback and safety.

“We’re moving guys around and trying to load them up,” Burke said.

At linebacker, guys such as

Tony Lippett,

Kiko Alonso, Stephone Anthony Jerome Baker

and can play more than one position, and on the defensive line, ends

and also offer the ability to switch around.

“We’re doing the same thing at linebacker,” Burke said. “We flip-flop some spots a little bit and we’re trying to get guys different work there, too.”

On the defensive line, such versatility and depth allows Miami to rotate defensive linemen effectively

Hayes Bobby McCain, Minkah Fitzpatrick William Charles Harris

and keep them fresh. Ideally, Miami could rotate eight defensive linemen in games.

“We want to get guys going full speed for as much as they can,” Burke said.

At linebacker, the versatility allows the Dolphins to play different guys against the run and pass, for example.

In the secondary, the Dolphins might use more dime (six defensive backs) formations this year and the versatility provided with players such as Fitzpatrick and fellow safeties

and as well as the cornerbacks (McCain, Lippett) could allow for more situational substitutions.

Jones Reshad T.J. McDonald

Perhaps most encouraging is Fitzpatrick, the firstround pick from Alabama, who is earning good grades for his early performances.

Fitzpatrick is the prototypical Dolphins defender with his versatility to go from safety to nickel to boundary cornerback.

“He’s probably about as advertised,” Burke said of Fitzpatrick, the No. 11 pick. “We’re trying to overload him a little bit and get him a full offseason, a full year. We keep giving him more and he keeps taking it. We are moving him around in different spots and playing him in different places to give him a feel for what it’s like.”

Jerome Baker,

Miami’s third-round pick, and

a seventhround pick, were exclusively used with the secondand third-team defense. The coaches are bringing each rookie along slowly.

“We’re trying to get the younger linebackers a little bit up to speed before we throw them into the fire,” Burke said. Tight end

and safety sat out Wednesday’s session with undisclosed injuries.

Quentin Poling, Duarte Lucas Thomas Jordan

CARLINE JEAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Minkah Fitzpatrick, the first-round pick from Alabama, is earning good grades for his early performances.