1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

the offensive line

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by the 23rd, Sep 8, 2009.

  1. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

    9,173
    2,398
    113
    Apr 20, 2009
    Tampa Area
    as goes the Orca-5 so goes the season
    by game four the offensive trenches should have the collective foot work of a ballet company
    with the physical dominance & brutality of a pod of KillerWhales. This will open up the run game, which leads to a successful passing game
    while allowing our defense to rest, as we eat up the offensive clock,
    returning our fresh & fired up defensive unit to the field to ravage the advisory

    read Coach Soprano's (offensive line) COMMENTS:
    http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/1223837.html

    ANY THOUGHTS?
     
  2. anlgp

    anlgp ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A

    :sidelol:
     
  3. mbmonk

    mbmonk I have no clue

    1,333
    457
    0
    Aug 4, 2008
    That is pretty much it. Oline is going to be the make or break. If Grove can, by himself, block Wilford + Jenkins then our running game goes to the next level.

    I actually like Grove and he does whatever it takes to make a block. If he doesn't make a run block it doesn't seem to be from lack of effort from what little I have seen of him.

    REALLY excited about the Oline.
     
  4. dolfan7171

    dolfan7171 Well-Known Member

    18,065
    3,629
    113
    Jun 12, 2009
    Arizona
    I think the offensive line will be playing pretty well this season. According to Sparano, the offensive line is not too far from what he is looking for so we should be fine. I am just excited to get this season started.
     
  5. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

    27,364
    31,261
    113
    Apr 6, 2008
    I think the OL flashed some great play and some bad play this preseason. I think they have the talent to be a dominant line but I doubt they will look that way right out of the gate. It will probably take a good half a season or more for them to get consistent. That being said I do think they should be pretty well against ATL. I'm hoping that we can really wear them down and impose our will in the 4th qtr.
     
  6. Shamboubou

    Shamboubou Well-Known Member

    2,228
    1,004
    113
    Jan 4, 2008
    Indianapolis
    I agree that we need to make sure that our O-Line gets the job done to have a successful season. Most people are talking about the Running game, but I really think they need to get the job done in pass protection. If we can come out again this year and make our passing game a threat, that is what is really going to help our running game.
     
  7. PhinsRock

    PhinsRock Premium Member Luxury Box

    I see it the other way around, people aren't afraid of our passing game, and they stack the box against our run game. Until the OL opens holes and provides lanes for running in our standard offense, I don't see teams backing off. To me, the running game opens up the passing game routes. But in reality it just has to likely be a good balance. Last season our OL didn't ever really gel due to injuries, they need to do it quick this year if we are to succeed. JMHO.
     
  8. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

    29,745
    11,512
    0
    Nov 23, 2007
    I think our O-line has quite aways to go before we are running the ball like we should be able to.
    To date, Jake Grove especially has not lived up to expectations.

    We should fare pretty well against ATL if only because we seriously out-weigh them and they have very little depth across the front. That being said, if its linebackers and not defensive backs taking down our RB's, our line is not doing its job.
     
  9. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    We cant expect them to be great from the get because of how much they get paid collectively, lines become great because of how well they play together, the cohesion takes time, we must be patient with them if we want greatness, which is something that we have'nt had in a long time, iam willing to be patient for that chance. the individual potential is there.
     
  10. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

    9,173
    2,398
    113
    Apr 20, 2009
    Tampa Area
    four games into the season
    & we need to win two of the four
    if they are not dominant by game five, we are going nowhere in 2009
    I think they will make a step up in game one
    & begin their ascent thereafter :up:
     
  11. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

    27,364
    31,261
    113
    Apr 6, 2008
    I wouldn't say they have to be dominant by game 5. They just have to be decent. Our line was decent last year and it got us the division and playoffs. We have a harder schedule this season but we should also have a better D, particularly early on.

    Last year we started slowly and had a decent result b/c the team came together for the second half. If we just get an extra win or two in the first half of the season then we'll be ahead of last year's pace.
     
    MrClean likes this.
  12. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

    9,173
    2,398
    113
    Apr 20, 2009
    Tampa Area
    begins in the trenches
     
  13. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    really?
     
    DenverDolfan likes this.
  14. mbmonk

    mbmonk I have no clue

    1,333
    457
    0
    Aug 4, 2008
    We also SEEM to have more depth this year. With that tough schedule having quality depth is going to be very key.
     
    azfinfanmang likes this.
  15. firedan

    firedan Well-Known Member

    2,000
    826
    113
    Oct 31, 2008
    palm beach county fl
    I hope the O line does take it to the next level.It's been too long since we had a dominating line.
     
  16. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

    29,745
    11,512
    0
    Nov 23, 2007
    This I strongly agree with.

    With the return of Donald Thomas, Jake Long being a year removed from Rookie Status, I think the front line is pretty talented. I also think those waiting behind the front are very capable of filling in when needed. Pray to god its not like it was last year, and if they do fill in, it is for a couple plays, maybe a 1/4 or 1/2....maybe a game..but hope its nothing more than that.
     
  17. Onehondo

    Onehondo Senior Member Club Member

    2,671
    879
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Chesapeake, Virginia
    The Dolphins have a big offensive line and a huge TE in Haynos and they are still developing cohesion and chemistry. If they play physical they are bound to wear down some defensive lines they face. If you take a big physical line and add a big physical running back like Brown and Williams it will create headaches for opposing defenses.
    Good and great offensive lines grow and develop as they play together. At least we finally have an offensive line to be excited about and to look forward to watching them play.
     
  18. vt_dolfan

    vt_dolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    Who started the nick name---

    The Orca 5....?

    I like it...Ive read it quite a bunch..but I have no idea where it started...
     
  19. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

    99,377
    37,301
    0
    Nov 22, 2007
    inching to 100k posts
    Well, I have a bit of a different take on the Oline, most phinfans see the Oline and say "Ahh..dominant running game" which would make sense except for:

    8 men in the box beat 5 men on the Oline everytime, the Ravens demonstrated that quite well twice last season, what will change this season is Grove will understand his blocking assignments and make line calls for pass protection something Satele had trouble with last season.

    Grove imho, was brought in to help the passing game...NFL in the 2000's the pass can be used to set up the run which is something we could not do last season as no one respected our passing game.

    And I'm aware of the KC Joyner stat of 5 ypc behind Grove in Oakland last season, but to me Satele was screwing the pooch on the line calls and showed poor awareness of his area of responsibility.

    Basically Ray Lewis slipped/blitzed by Satele during the playoff game and Samson never saw him go past him...
     
  20. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    I can't go along with that at all. Grove was brought in to give us a better inside run game. That is where Samson was lacking, more so than pass pro.
     
  21. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    thats interesting, whatta ya seein brother...when sparano speaks about leverage, i take it your interpreting it by the ability to keep nose tackles out of chads face so he can pass thru the interior?..

    I think its something to keep an eye out for...
     
  22. Larryfinfan

    Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member

    Without a doubt, as the OL goes, so goes our success this year. Last year, with the OL mediocre at best, we won several games we should/could have lost easily. This year, IF the OL gels and becomes the ground swelling force we foresee, it could be magical. But I am still the pessimist since we haven't seen it yet...I realize it's only preseason and the games didn't count and the starters didn't play the entire game and all that, but they've underperformed so far in the TC...hopefully it'll be different from here on out...
     
  23. Eop05

    Eop05 Junior Member Club Member

    5,659
    5,268
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    NJ
    Last year, I'll chalk up our lack of interior running game due to the fact that we had 2 backup guards and a center that was never known whatsoever for run blocking.

    This preseason, I'll chalk up to preseason.

    But come the regular season we had better see some push from the OL inside. We have a full strength line with all veterans outside of D. Thomas. There's no more excuses come Sunday.

    And I won't be making bold prediction on their success until I see something.
     
  24. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

    99,377
    37,301
    0
    Nov 22, 2007
    inching to 100k posts
    That is partially what I think Dj, plus Sparano is no dummy, the good teams on the Schedule know how to stuff the run, the last real power running team that could run the ball no matter what was those great Broncos teams, and they had Elway and Sharpe to burn the D if they played 8 men in the box.

    We will have to pass to set up the run against the better teams, offtackle dives behind Long with Polite running lead blocker will only work so long dj.
     
  25. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

    99,377
    37,301
    0
    Nov 22, 2007
    inching to 100k posts
    Samson Allowed 4 sacks last season, I believe that was the worst among our starting offensive linemen and 29th worst in the NFL

    Only three centers were worse, Justin Harwig, Casey Rabach and Dan Koppen.

    http://www.prosportsdaily.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325162
     
  26. The Aqua Crush

    The Aqua Crush New Member

    6,152
    1,600
    0
    Jun 15, 2008
    Calgary Alberta Canada
    With their size advantage over the ATL front 7 as Muck pointed out they should have no excuse not to dominate the line against atlanta, which also gives our running backs no excuse not to get it done and keep moving the chains.

    I am along the lines of thinking like Rafael pointed out, they may take a little time if the preseason was any indicator, they did some things well but other things poorly. I guess that could be a result of new personnel, guys returning from injury. I hope it comes together sooner rather than later and they can dominate like the expectation we have for them.
     
  27. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    Even though he allowed 4 sacks, IMO, he was a better pass than run blocker. Run blocking inline was his greatest shortcoming. IMO, the addition of Grove was because Tony has a vision of a slobberknocking offensive line that dictates to the defense, and he felt Grove was a strong step in that direction. We shall see over the next few months if he was.

    As for where SS ranked with 4 sacks, I think Carey may have tied him or been really close. Seems like someone said recently he had either 4 or 4.5 in 2008.
     
  28. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

    99,377
    37,301
    0
    Nov 22, 2007
    inching to 100k posts
    SS and Vern C tied for sacks allowed but do consider, that is ontop of Samson Satele not getting push in the running game, at least Vern C we could run behind.

    If your C cannot pass block, cannot run block, does not know the line calls and is just mediocre hitting targets on the second level, there is not really much room for him I'd guess.

    And I was a huge Samson Satele fan Mr. C, especially after 2007 I thought he and Ginn and Wright and Moses and Lorenzo Booker were our future stars.
     
  29. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    This I totally agree with. It was your earlier suggestion that Grove was brought in either more for, or primarily for, his pass blocking, is where we differ.
     
  30. Conuficus

    Conuficus Premium Member Luxury Box

    18,044
    19,676
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    Well away from here
    Did you read what I wrote about Grove Cleany?
     
  31. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    If it was something recent, then I guess perhaps not. Can you tell where to find it?
     
  32. Conuficus

    Conuficus Premium Member Luxury Box

    18,044
    19,676
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    Well away from here
    Keys to the Game thread......one of our keys.
     
    MrClean likes this.
  33. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    Ok went there and read it. Damned fine insights as usual amigo. :knucks:

    Your Grove evaluation is what amounts to a slam dunk IMO. :up:
     
    djphinfan and Conuficus like this.
  34. Conuficus

    Conuficus Premium Member Luxury Box

    18,044
    19,676
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    Well away from here
    :up:

    I think us fans need to expect to see Grove staying put while the G's get the opportunities to get to the second level. If we can get Thomas free he could prove to be a deadly weapon along the offensive line. But those who expect him to simply carve holes for us may be disappointed.
     
  35. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

    99,377
    37,301
    0
    Nov 22, 2007
    inching to 100k posts
    I love 23rd's enthusiasm and creativity, to me he puts effort into his posts in using the colors and emoticons as well as creating a nickname for the offensive line.

    23rd has flava.
     
  36. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

    9,173
    2,398
    113
    Apr 20, 2009
    Tampa Area
    FriendPadre31:
    you're a scholar & a gentleman
    & very much appreciated on our forum

    as for the Orca-5:

    I believe by the end of the 2009 season our Offensive Line will be recognized as one of the best in the NFL & is destined to enter the books with the likes of the RedSkin's infamous Hogs because:

    1) we have the best set of BookEnds in the NFL: Long & Carey
    2) we acquired a top-tier NFL veteran Center during the off season upgrading significantly the position
    3) we have two outstanding guards & excellent back-up depth for 2009
    4) Coaching & development:

    (A) Bill Parcells is the power House of the trenches. wherever he has established a team, he has assembled powerful Offensive & Defensive Lines.

    (B) Our Head Coach is an Offensive Line Coach. He made his bones @ both the university level & in the NFL as a premier Offensive Lines Coach. Tony knows the Offensive line.

    (C) The firing of Maser & hiring of Guglielmo. Coach G. was the Assistant Lines Coach for what is arguably the top Offensive Line in the NFL, the NYGiants. They will be coached up exceeding all expectation.

    (D) there exists a template to build upon: 1. size & strength 2. character (they like leaders, especially team captains) 3. history: they trace them from their HS days playing football. 4. Consistency, love of game, team players that buy into a system & a willingness to work hard & through injuries.

    (E) the front line has been assembled after diligent research. the home work was done. the Orca-5 have earned the stamp of approval of the Trifecta. Both Ireland & Sparano talk with great enthusiasm about what the Orca-5 will present to the league in 2009. With the obvious support of the Silent One behind it all.

    (F) all that is needed is playing time. the offensive line, perhaps more than any other unit in football requires a large degree of synchronization & overlap, this comes only with practice & game experience.
    having said that
    I am totally convinced they are well on their way to establishing themselves as a premier offensive line in the NFL. it all begins in the trenches & we will go as far as the Orca-5 will take us, therefore, my boundless enthusiasm & perpetual hope that they fulfill every potential & promise is properly placed. I must assume they will be all that or consider a mediocre season. I place my hopes for a run @ the big enchilada squarely on the broad backs of the Orca-5:yes: this is how I see the 2009 season developing.

    I see no problem other than time & that will come to pass soon enough
     
  37. cnc66

    cnc66 wiley veteran, bad spelur Luxury Box

    31,582
    17,137
    0
    Nov 23, 2007
    Guys please..... you will notice there are posts missing... if you want to poke at each other, do it in pm's please.
     
    like2god likes this.
  38. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

    29,745
    11,512
    0
    Nov 23, 2007
    Gentlemen, please keep it ON TOPIC and not personal.
    First and Foremost, We are all Dolphin bretheren/sisteren in here!!!!
     
    like2god and cnc66 like this.
  39. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

    9,173
    2,398
    113
    Apr 20, 2009
    Tampa Area
    Sundays game against Atlanta will be crucial for the Orca-5
    we need to keep the high powered Falcon offense off the field
    which means our offensive line has to open the run & protect Pennington
    our defense will need to be as fresh & ready to play as is possible

    a win would be a very good start on the season :yes: my prediction: 21/10, Miami
     
  40. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

    9,173
    2,398
    113
    Apr 20, 2009
    Tampa Area
    Offensive Line?

    as goes the offensive line so goes our season
    looking for a positive in the opening game?

    try Ricky Williams on offense (despite the offensive line) & the defense containing the run against Turner
    not a good start to the season. we were never in the game because our offensive line failed to win the line of scrimmage
    we lost the war in the trenches & lost the game

    what to do?

    hope we can @ least split the first four games. it will take @ least that long for the offensive line to synchronize & step up
    as goes the offensive line so goes our season
     

Share This Page