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Cam Wake On Dolphins' Defensive Woes: We're Not A 'Bunch Of Bums'

In the last few weeks, the Dolphins defense has faced its fair share of criticism—and for good reason.

In its last three games, the unit that seemed so reliable early in the season has allowed an average of 220 rushing yards per game, 407.6 total yards per game and, most importantly, 26.6 points per game.

Be thankful one of those opponents were the Jets, who bring down the average on points per game.

This warranted criticism might have Miami's defense on edge, backpedaling to defend itself like a bad cornerback.

Defensive end Cameron Wake defended the defense when speaking with reporters, saying, “I feel like, as a whole for the time I’ve been here, we’ve been stout against the run. We had a couple of weeks where we weren’t. That doesn’t all of a sudden turn us into a bunch of bums.”

Miami is still ranked in the top 10 on defense. However, its ranking against the run has dropped from being a top-10 run defense to the 22nd-best unit against the run, which is an aspect of the game that has been a strong suit for the Dolphins in the last five years.

No, the three bad weeks don't automatically make them the dregs of the NFL on defense, but it does show an alarming trend—one that opposing offenses will not hesitate to take advantage of.

Kelvin Sheppard and Jason Trusnik Preparing To Start at Linebacker

Miami's worst nightmare would be a further weakening of its already paper-thin linebacker unit.

It's bad enough that the Dolphins lost Dannell Ellerbe earlier in the season. With that said, that loss has allowed Jelani Jenkins to come in and prosper this season.

Unfortunately, the Dolphins could find themselves without Jenkins as well as middle linebacker Koa Misi this week against the Patriots.

According to Omar Kelly of The Sun-Sentinel, Miami might have to start Kelvin Sheppard and Jason Trusnik (subscription required) alongside Philip Wheeler at linebacker, a task that Sheppard and Trusnik are preparing for this week.

Trusnik will have to play on the weak side in relief of Jenkins, giving him the responsibility of covering Rob Gronkowski. Sheppard will play up the middle.

This is a scary proposition for the Dolphins, one that could get scarier if either player were to get hurt.

If such a disaster were to occur, Miami should have Jordan Tripp at the ready.

Jared Odrick: Beef With Joe Philbin 'Squashed'

It was one of the most enduring and talked-about images from Sunday's game: Defensive tackle Jared Odrick yelling at head coach Joe Philbin on the sidelines.

Since then, cooler heads have prevailed, with Odrick telling Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald that the beef had been "squashed":

“It was squashed, a dead issue. I can’t tell you enough how much I enjoy being around these guys and this organization. ... We all put our bodies on the line and that takes a lot out of you emotionally, when you do it it day-in and day-out, not just on Sundays. When you do that, and put that much on the field, and you realize that you have to do it again and again and again for the same guys that are part of this program, that’s when you realize you’re doing something special. I respect and love everyone in this room.”

Since Joe Philbin is such a polarizing figure among fans and the media—I think I've changed my mind on him staying or going at least 10 times this season—the shoving match could look like the bubbling up of deeper locker room issues.

However, keep this in mind: The NFL locker room is still a workplace, and everyone has had issues with their boss at one point or another. This could easily just be an isolated incident.