Dolphins seek depth at LB, host 4 free agent 'backers

BY SEAN DONOVAN

The Dolphins are in the market for linebacker depth and have worked out a few candidates. Meanwhile, a former reserve linebacker found a new team.

Marvin Mitchell, who played his only season in Miami last year after four years with the Saints, signed with the Vikings. Mitchell will be best remembered for a backbreaking red zone interception off Mark Sanchez and 55-yard return in the season finale against the Jets, in a Dolphins victory that officially eliminated the Jets from playoff contention.

Miami brought in four free agents to work out with the team; Bryan Kehl, Quentin Groves, Gary Guyton and Jonathon Goff. All four are, coincidentally, players going into their fifth year in the NFL.

Kehl is a career special teamer who has split his four seasons with the Giants and the Rams. It would be expected that his role with Miami would be not much more. Groves was a second round pick for the Jaguars, but he never produced and spent last season in a reserve role with the Raiders.

Guyton has had a reasonably productive career for an undrafted free agent. He's recorded 4.5 sacks and three interceptions in his four years with the Patriots, but New England appears ready to move on from the relationship. The former Giant Goff missed all of 2011 after tearing his ACL in practice prior to the season opener. Before that, he started a full season at middle linebacker after two seasons of being a backup and special teamer.

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