Miami Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe Says "I Was Brought in to Knock the Patriots Off"

New Miami Dolphin linebacker Dannell Ellerbe feels like it is his job to change the landscape of the AFC East and believes that’s why he was brought here.

Ellerbe told CBS reporter Mike Freeman that “I was brought here to knock them (Patriots) off.” “That doesn’t mean we will, but we feel like we can.” – “Like I said we have to prove it.” - “You have to actually go do it.”

Ellerbe made sure to make it clear that talk was cheap and that they know they have a lot of work to do.

“Losing a starter always hurts and losing a starter as good as him will really hurt” – “I don’t think you can say the Patriots are the same after what happened with Hernandez” Ellerbe said in response to questions on Hernandez.

The Dolphins have finished ahead of the Patriots just one time in the past 12 years, but I have been saying it all along. The Dolphins are the team to be afraid of in this division and if anyone is going to give you a run for your money, it will be Miami. Maybe some fans may not like this, but it’s just fun trash talk and if you don’t believe your team can win, then you shouldn’t bother playing.

Ellerbe has one thing right, the Patriots aren’t the same. With Welker, Lloyd, Hernandez and Woodhead gone, four of the Patriots five top-catching receivers from last season are off the roster. The other is Rob Gronkowski who is a big question mark. If ever there was a season for the Dolphins to challenge the Patriots, it’s this one.

Josh Brown