Squeezed out in San Diego, linebacker Tim Dobbins has an opportunity to make a big impact with the Dolphins (AP)
Inside linebacker Tim Dobbins was a mere footnote on draft day two months ago, the guy that, oh, by the way, happened to be included in the Dolphins’ trade with the San Diego Chargers that netted the Dolphins the 28th and 40th overall picks in exchange for No. 12.
But Tony Sparano says Dobbins was hardly a throw-in player. Dobbins, entering his fifth season out of Iowa State, will not only be an important contributor on special teams – a “four core guy,” as Sparano puts it, meaning Dobbins will likely play on all four special teams units – but he will also push Channing Crowder for a starting spot next to Karlos Dansby.
To prove their faith in Dobbins, the Dolphins cut Reggie Torbor three weeks ago. They also parted ways with Akin Ayodele this offseason. Dansby, Crowder and Dobbins will be the top three linebackers in 2010, with rookie fourth-rounder A.J. Edds also likely pushing for playing time.
“We had our eye on him, to be honest, for some time,” Sparano said of Dobbins after one of the Dolphins’ recent organized team activities. “This guy was an active player out there in his number of plays. Played somewhere around 357 or 347 snaps during the course of the season. Played a few different positions. Had some position flexibility and was darn good on all special teams. So we looked at a player here that in my mind had a pretty clear vision of being able to get some solid plays at the game from in whatever the package might be.”
Dobbins, 27, comes to the Dolphins with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He thought he was in the Chargers’ long-range plans after making 112 tackles with a sack and two interceptions the past two seasons, while playing in all 32 games and starting 10.
But the Chargers instead went in a different direction, preferring a rotation of Kevin Burnett, Stephen Cooper and Brandon Siler and drafting Donald Butler in the second round.
Dobbins said he was “definitely shocked” to be traded, “’cause when I was in San Diego, they were telling me I could be The Guy and I had plenty of potential to get better,” Dobbins said. “When coach (Mike) Nolan called, I thought he was joking. But then when he told me it was a good thing I came, and he was appreciative of all the work I did, I knew it was serious after that.”
At least one other Dolphin was thrilled to have Dobbins in Miami this year – receiver Greg Camarillo, who was Dobbins’ teammate in San Diego for a year and a half.
“We’re good buddies,” Camarillo said. “We were on a bowling team together.”
But Dobbins also knows that nothing in the NFL is certain. The Dolphins drafted Edds and seventh-rounder Austin Spitler, who if he makes the team will also keep Dobbins on his toes. And Crowder, while working back slowly as he rehabs a broken foot, still likely has the upper hand on Dobbins to earn a starting linebacker spot.
“I’m going out there and trying to make the best out of it, ’cause I don’t know how long it’s going to last,” Dobbins said.
Noteworthy: Tight end Anthony Fasano has signed his 1-year restricted free agent tender and will be paid $1.176 million in 2010. The only remaining unsigned player is Ronnie Brown, who has until Tuesday to sign his $3.97 million tender. Brown indicated last week that he will sign before the deadline.
