Is Randy Starks a Safe Bet at Nose Tackle?

It went almost unnoticed by outsiders, but Randy Starks emerged as one of the best 3-4 ends in the entire league last season. He didn't make the Pro Bowl, mainly because 4-3 defensive ends get more recognition, typically producing more as pass rushers.

3-4 ends contribute more as run stuffers, and have the build of 4-3 defensive tackles, while the pass rushing duties are usually designated for the outside linebackers in the scheme.

In case you haven't noticed yet, I am a huge fan of Pro Football Focus, and think the site does a great job of ranking players beyond the main stat line. Starks' main stat line of 56 tackles and 7 sacks, is impressive in itself, but PFF gave him the 2nd highest overall rating among all 3-4 DE's.

Perhaps even more impressive, was that they only calculated nine defensive lineman in the entire NFL, regardless of position or scheme, that fared better against the run.

That is certainly a reason to feel optimistic about his ability to transition to the interior of the Dolphins defensive line, and man the demanding nose tackle position that usually has the biggest say in how successful a 3-4 defense is.

Still though, there are legitimate questions about whether or not Starks has the size to clog up the middle of that line, while forcing the attention of multiple blockers, and thus freeing up space for the linebackers to make plays on the ball carrier.

Starks weighs in at 6'3, 305 pounds, which is typically thought to be in the 3-4 end range, not the 320 plus range we most often associate nose tackles with. In fact, the average weight of projected starters at nose tackle, on teams who run the scheme exclusively or on a hybrid basis, is around 325 pounds.

That's a whole twenty pounds heavier than Starks, but as stated previously on this blog, the two most notable players who have had success at the nose with a similar playing weight both started under Parcells.

Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff is only 303 pounds, and he made the transition to nose tackle when Parcells was his head coach rather effortlessly, and is now one of the more solid D-line anchors in football. And of course, let's not forget last year's starter, Jason Ferguson, who is only five pounds heavier than Starks.

So because this regime has raised a couple undersized noses, who have had success in the NFL, I tend to feel a little more comfortable with Starks' move from defensive end. If anyone else was running this football team, I would be worried with his lack of size, but with Parcells' proven track record, I have high hopes for Starks clogging up the middle of the Dolphins' 3-4 line.

The big wildcard in this whole deal though, is that the Dolphins are expected to run more of a hybrid defense in 2010. In a 4-3, Starks is the ideal fit at defensive tackle, and it could be that Miami chose moving him to nose tackle over drafting a player with prototypical size, because they plan on running more 4-3 formations than originally thought.

Under Nick Saban the Dolphins ran a hybrid system, but had four down lineman more often than not. I still fully anticipate them running more 3-4 than 4-3, simply because Ireland referred to Starks as a nose tackle, and the Dolphins have been drafting and signing players that fit the 3-4 mold the past three offseasons.

So the bottom line is, Starks' ability to move inside, will have a lot to do with how much the 2010 defense will improve under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. The Dolphins have come off extremely confident about the move though, and because Parcells has made solid nose tackles out of smaller than typical prospects before, my money is on Starks becoming the run stuffing clog that will man the interior of the Dolphins' defensive line for years to come.