Some of the discussion currently surrounding the New England Patriots is if they are vulnerable with Wes Welkerwalking away, Rob Gronkowski's ongoing injury concerns and the release of Aaron Hernandez.
"I think they are (vulnerable), but you have to prove it, you can't just talk about it," Miami Dolphins linebacker Dannell Ellerbetold CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman.
Ellerbe, as Freeman points out, wasn't talking trash; he was verbalizing a growing belief among NFL teams: Tom Brady's offense hasn't appeared this stoppable in more than a decade.
"I was brought here to help knock them off," Ellerbe said. "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."
Ellerbe, one of Jeff Ireland's big bets this offseason, was part of the Baltimore Ravens team that knocked off Brady and the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game last season, and he helped seal the win with a late-game interception off a tipped pass.
Of course, knocking Brady and Bill Belichick off the pedestal usually looks easier in July than in December.
UPDATE: Ellerbe later expressed on Twitter his surprise at all of the attention his comments garnered.
Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.