Dolphins may use makeshift LB trio
DAVIE — Skepticism reigned when it was announced that the Miami Dolphins would start Mike Hull, Chase Allen and Kiko Alonso at linebacker for last Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. But that reaction didn’t last long.
The big question is whether the Dolphins can continue to win with this understated trio starting for a linebackers unit that seems in disarray.
Hull, the under-sized, undrafted third-year player out of Penn State, had a teambest 10 tackles last week. Alonso, the versatile fiveyear veteran, had seven tackles. And Allen, the hardhitting undrafted rookie from Southern Illinois, had three tackles as the Dolphins held the Chargers to 44 yards rushing in their 19-17 victory.
It was a remarkable statistical accomplishment for a trio that was missing Lawrence Timmons, perhaps its best player, Rey Maualuga, perhaps its best middle linebacker, and Raekwon McMillan, perhaps its best young prospect. Timmons has been suspended indefinitely, Maualuga has a hamstring injury, and McMillan, the rookie second-round pick from Ohio State, has a season-ending knee injury.
No matter. As it turns out, Hull, Alonso and Allen have complementary skills.
“Chase is a run stopper, he’s a thumper,” Hull said Wednesday. “Kiko is athletic and can do things, and I just feel like I’ve got a nose for the ball.”
Maualuga, who reported out of shape and overweight last month, has been sidelined for the past week. He said he thinks he can play but coach Adam Gase doesn’t seem convinced.
“It’s too early for me to know that right now,” Gase said before Wednesday’s practice.
Maualuga seems to be taking things in stride.
“Every day is a process,” Maualuga said, “but I feel good. There’s no soreness whatsoever so I’m just going to take it day by day, and whenever [Gase is] ready for me to get back on the field, I’m all for it.”
New linebacker Stephone Anthony, acquired from New Orleans on Tuesday in exchange for a 2018 fifth-round pick, also said he’s ready to play. Anthony, who was switched from middle linebacker to strongside to weakside since 2015, was inactive the first two games with the Saints due to a high ankle sprain.
“High ankle sprains are a little tricky,” Anthony said. “But I’m thankful I’m over it and I feel good and ready to go.”
Sunday’s game against the New York Jets might challenge the linebackers in the ground game. Running back Matt Forte, who played for Gase in Chicago, is a strong all-around back. He’s averaging 4.6 yards per carry, but he only has 15 carries for 69 yards.
Gase remains wary Forte, though.
“He’s a tough guy to defend because you have to understand if you’re not sound in your defense, he’s going to cause you a lot of problems,” Gase said.
The linebackers were a bit shaky against the pass last week. Chargers tight end Antonio Gates had a touchdown and backup tight end Hunter Henry had seven receptions for 80 yards.
But the Dolphins aren’t sweating the deficiency.
“We’ve just got to keep building off that performance and get better, and hopefully we have a big jump from Week 1 to Week 2,” Hull said.
Timmons, according to Gase, could return to the team sometime after his suspension is over.
“It’s going to be something I’m going to keep in house, and I’ll decide on that later,” he said.
But it sounds as though Timmons also must do some things to make reconciliation possible. Gase, who said Timmons won’t practice or play this week, said transgressions can be forgiven. of