Miami Dolphins LB Dannell Ellerbe in Town to Knock Off New England Patriots

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) celebrates on his knees after winning Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins were described as the big winners of NFL free agency after landing receiver Mike Wallace, but it was the under-the-radar acquisition of linebacker Dannell Ellerbe that could make all the difference for the team in 2013.

If you are the Dolphins, the task of playing the New England Patriots twice a year can be daunting, hence the reason Ellerbe was brought to town.

Ellerbe told Mike Freeman of CBS that he is in town specifically to knock off the Patriots:

"“I was brought here to help knock them off,” Ellerbe told Mike Freeman of CBS. “That doesn’t mean we will, but we feel like we can. Like I said, we just have to prove it. You have to actually go do it.”“I think they are but you have to prove it, you can’t just talk about it,” Ellerbe said."

The Spin: Ellerbe sure has taken a course in saying all the right things. Funny thing is, he won’t have to help a lot in taking down the Patriots—they have done that to themselves. Wes Welker and Danny Woodhead are gone. Rob Gronkowski can’t stay healthy. Aaron Hernandez is Aaron Hernandez.

Ellerbe is sure to have an impact, but he’ll have some help from the Patriots themselves along the way.

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