Training Camp: Top Five Position Battles (#3)

Right Outside Linebacker

(miamiherald.com)

Originally, this wasn't a battle at all, it was Jason Taylor's spot. With him on the roster the defense was actually looking pretty solid, in particular the linebacking corps. Now though, that spot is huge hole to fill. Charlie Anderson and Quentin Moses (shown above) are the guys who were expected to learn from JT and be fill-in players. Instead they will battle it out for the starting job while the other guy will still probably get significant time. Let's get some background information.

Charlie Anderson is in his fifth year out of Mississippi and has played all four of his NFL years with the Houston Texans. He has never been a starter but has always been a solid backup and special teams contributor. He was signed as a free agent this spring.

Quentin Moses was a standout defensive end for the University of Georgia and posted an 11.5 sack season in his junior year (2005). He was drafted in the third round of the 2007 draft, but didn't stick with the Raiders or the Cardinals. The Dolphins signed him off waivers in October of last year.

Charlie Anderson says he is more comfortable dropping into to coverage and is working on improving his rush abilities. He has beaten Jake Long with speed rushes a few times so far in camp. He probably has the best chance to start because he is the more complete player. If he can prove to be a good as a rusher as Quentin Moses, then the sot should surely be his. Moses though, is a pass rusher by trade, and should be better at that than Anderson. He just needs to learn to play standing up and perhaps drop into coverage every now and then. During the season we could see these guys rotate depending on the down and distance, but my money would be on Anderson right now.