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Deep depth Dolphins hope stockpile minimizes DL losses
Posted: Thursday January 07, 1999 11:15 AM
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- There was no one happier on the Miami Dolphins than Zach Thomas when teammate Tim Bowens ended his contract dispute in August. The ability of Bowens to tie up two opposing blockers has been a key to Thomas leading the team in tackles each of his three seasons in Miami. Thomas has averaged 163 tackles during that time. Now, Miami's All-Pro linebacker is hoping Barron Tanner can do the job just as well when the Dolphins visit Denver for Saturday's AFC divisional playoff. "I'm hoping B.T. does the same thing," Thomas said Wednesday. "I think we'll be all right. B.T. plays half the game anyway." Bowens, Miami's only Pro Bowl selection, became the second Miami defensive lineman in as many weeks to suffer a season-ending injury when he tore a biceps muscle in the Dolphins' 24-17 wild-card win over Buffalo. One week earlier, pass-rushing end Jason Taylor broke his collarbone against Atlanta. But thanks to Miami's stockpiling of defensive linemen, the Dolphins still will have a full rotation against Denver. Coach Jimmy Johnson has kept nine defensive linemen on the roster all season. "That was a smart move by us," said Shane Burton, who will start his second consecutive game at left end. "Now it's paying off at the end when it's most crucial." For most teams, losing two top linemen would be crippling. Buffalo played just five defensive linemen last week, hampered even further when nose tackle Ted Washington wore down in the second half. He was on the sideline catching his breath when the Dolphins scored what turned out to be the winning touchdown. San Francisco's desperation went so far as to bring Charles Haley out of retirement. Nearly three years after winning helping Dallas win the 1996 Super Bowl for his fifth championship ring, he played several downs in the 49ers' victory over Green Bay last week. Miami's situation means playing time for Daniel Stubbs, a 10-year veteran who played with two Super Bowl winners with San Francisco and had nine sacks for Miami in 1996. He's been active for just five games this year, but has ample experience in the Dolphins' system. "That helps," end Trace Armstrong, Miami's pass-rush specialist, said. "That's the whole line of reasoning in keeping nine. Injuries happen. When they do, we have somebody in there that knows the system." The Dolphins still were forced to do some shuffling, with right tackle Daryl Gardener the only lineman to remain in the same spot. Rookie starter Kenny Mixon shifted to Taylor's right end position from the left. Burton moved in at left end, and Tanner makes his first career start. Burton can spell Gardener or Tanner inside on passing downs. Armstrong, Stubbs and rookie swingman Lorenzo Bromell fill out the rotation. Whether the revamped lineup can bottle up Denver's 2,000-yard rusher, Terrell Davis, the way Miami did last month remains to be seen. Davis was held to 29 yards in the Dolphins' 31-21 victory Dec. 21, and the Broncos are looking forward to reasserting superiority up front. "We've got players missing right now, and I'm sure they'll try to take advantage of that," Mixon said. "We'll try to do it the same way we did the first time. We've already shown we can play with these guys."
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The Dolphins were able to stop Terrell Davis without the help of injured Tim Bowens 