LB Ikaika Alama-Francis has been a surprise player for the Dolphins during training camp this summer.
LB Ikaika Alama-Francis has emerged as a player to watch in Dolphins camp, as the 3rd-year pro looks like a dark horse to crack the team’s starting line up in Week 1.
“He’s a handful in the rush,” coach Tony Sparano said of Alama-Francis, according to ESPN.com. “He set the edge of the defense pretty well, strong guy and very, very smart.”
Alama-Francis, who didn’t even play football until his sophomore year at Hawaii, entered the league as a DE with the Detriot Lions in 2007. He struggled mightily there, only starting two games in two seasons, before the team released the 25-year-old at the end of the 2009 preseason. This summer, Alama-Francis got a second chance with Miami, who gave him “three good practices” to make the team.
“That’s not a lot,” Alama-Francis said. “When they’re throwing things at you to see how you’ll react, you have to do the best you can with what’s been given to you. But it was an opportunity, and I embraced it. I was thankful.”
The team liked the 6-5, 275-pounder’s size and speed so much they converted him into an OLB, a position that lacked depth after Joey Porter and Jason Taylor left in the offseason. Alama-Francis has taken a natural inclination to the role, recording 7 tackles so far this preseason, and even splitting first-team reps with rookie LB Koa Misi in Sunday’s practice.
“Moving from a different position, it’s a total 180, dropping into coverage,” Alama-Francis said. “When you’re on the line, you’re moving forward. When you’re standing up, you see a lot more and you’ve got to be aware a lot more. Rushing the passer, coming off the edge and dropping into coverage, I’m excited about all that.”
Although Misi and Cameron Wake are still the expected starters for Miami’s Sept. 12 opener at Buffalo, Alama-Francis’ play has undoubtedly earned him time. Keep an eye on him in team’s final preseason tuneup in Dallas on Thursday.