Miami Dolphins

Dolphins DE Quinton Coples happy to be full-time pass rusher

Published Nov. 25, 2015 3:56 p.m. ET

foxsports

In four-plus seasons with the New York Jets, Quinton Coples played outside linebacker. As an outside linebacker, Coples rushed the passer and dropped into coverage, but he'll assume a different role with his new team, the Miami Dolphins.

Miami runs a 4-3 defense, and at 290 pounds, Coples doesn't have the quickness or coverage skills to play outside linebacker. Instead, he'll be a full-time defensive end, as he confirmed on Wednesday.

Needless to say, he's excited about the move. According to to James Walker of ESPN, Coples said he's happy about exclusively rushing the passer, and said dropping into coverage "wasn't his thing."

Playing as a stand-up linebacker his entire pro career didn't fit his skill set, but things could be very different in Miami. The Dolphins could use another pass rusher with Cameron Wake on injured reserve, and they hope Coples can be that guy. And as an added bonus, they kept him from reuniting with Rex Ryan in Buffalo -- the only other team to put in a claim on Coples.

Dan Campbell is thrilled to have him on the squad and plans to utilize him to the best of his ability.

"We want to put his hand in the dirt," he said of Coples. "That's what he's built to do, but he does have some versatility."