[video=twitter;798970433907236864]https://www.twitter.com/AdamHBeasley/status/798970433907236864[/video] Now this will be a test for the Dolphins' new found cohesion. Can they keep winning without their starting OL intact? Or will the number one pick Goff get a win in his first game against a folding Dolphins team? Last year I think we know what we would have expected. Will this year be different?
I think we will be okay with Tunsil or Bushrod at tackle and Steen at guard. It's obviously a big blow to lose Albert at all though.
Sounds familiar. Time to find out if this team can find a way to win behind a not perfectly healthy O-line. They haven't been able to do it in the past, this year or prior seasons.
I think this can be a blessing in disguise for the team. Leadership be damned, Albert is consistently out for 3-4 games a year, paying a legit LT contract for a guy that only plays 10-12 games a season is not desirable. We lucked out with Tunsil dropping to us, he is the best case scenario at LT for us. I am much more comfortable going with Urbik at LG in the short term and this gives us an opportunity at grabbing a real road-grader at LG in the offseason either in FA or the draft's 2nd or 3rd day. If NE can grab a Thuney and plug and play, so could the Dolphins. Getting Albert's money off the cap can come in very handy when we have to pay up for Reshad or Jarvis in the upcoming offseasons.
Albert out AT LEAST 2-3 weeks according to PALM BEACH POST. That's the best case scenario. There goes the Unicorns, I am going to be sick to my stomach if our line is a complete wreck on Sunday, it seems we can never recover from one injury to our line.
The not really news... Branden Albert is hurt again. The good news, we likely get to see Tunsil at LT. That's his future position anyways. The bad news, we don't particularly perform well without our starting 5 on the OL.
Well.. based on this new information, I predict we'll beat the Rams and 49ers. This team revolves a lot more around Gase now than around a healthy OL.
He dislocated his wrist. Its funny to read that he's always hurt - like he can keep someone from dislocating his wrist. It's not like a nagging back or knee injury.
Actually....we arent that far off with 4 of our starters playing. And...we arent starting Thomas, or Turner in Alberts place. We should be ok.
Be damned. Media hasn't been very open to the Dolphins. All I heard this morning was "Goff this" and "Goff that". Goff isn't Rivers. Kid is going to make a mistake. Let's just make them pay for it. Miami has been playing some really good ball lately, and they're being disregarded. They're D is really good. That's all I'm really worried about.
They couldnt do it at all this year until the Unicorn line came back. This short run of wins should be enough to convience the front office to INVEST heavily in free agenecy / draft on tough offensive linemen. That said I believe we lose this game against a tough rams defense.
Was kind of thinking the same, esp at the second level. But Urbik is serviceable vs the run. I'd worry about Steen. Dude got straight blown up when he was at C on a few plays.
Tunsil has been a mauler and has also been devastating at the 2nd level, as you mentioned, and that is where he'll be missed the most, he was a big factor on a lot of big runs.
Bingo, probably the best defensive player with Watt out, and Brockers isn't bad either, with G being by far our weakest on the line now, Donald could be a problem.
We have to tire those big boys out. I kind of wonder if we'll see some outside runs and some option stuff early. Gase scares me a tad with his lack of in-game stuff. I think Joseph has a better "feel" for things. I'm very interested to see how this game starts out. Do you try to get ahead quickly and let them play catch up? This means our guys get to tee off on defense. Or do you try to nickel and dime them, and strike late when you sense they've tired out?
I don't even know if there are any huge downgrades in the NFL anymore. Different styles maybe, but not too big a difference in caliber. Baccari Rambo is a good example. Didn't he destroy a 338 lb. linemen against San Diego? I know I read it or heard it somewhere. A downgrade, nonetheless, but I have faith in Urbik as being completely serviceable. He's never gonna be able to move like Tunsil, but he might be able to anchor better. Am I making any sense? I'm not making any sense...How are you?
I think you go with a play fake and simply try to hit the big play. We have been such a run heavy team on first down we truly need to throw a tendency breaker in there early. If it aint there check it down and move on, but i think you try and go right after them. You never, ever allow a weaker team to hang around. Punch them in the mouth, then kick em in the balls,.....and do it early.
I think we can weather the Albert injury, though the run game will not be near as dynamic. It may take some time to wear out the Rams defense, but I don't see a rookie QB being able to move the chains consistently. Lots of three-and-outs and in the second half we pull ahead by double digits. Tanny needs to have a quick clock in his head on passing downs though, and not give up a sack-fumble-score to the defense. Without a TD score on defense, I don't see how the Rams can beat us. I think we will also be fine against the lackluster 9ers, but hopefully Albert is back after that game.
Looking a bit ahead, would the Dolphins be smart by resigning Bushrod and throwing some money at Ron Leary IF Albert is cut? Leary is a 4 year pro and an upcoming UFA, he is damn good but I think Dallas is going to be content with La'El Collins at that spot in the future. Tunsil/Leary left side is LEGIT. Maybe draft another swing tackle or a road grading OG to shore up depth? But our road to a strong OLine for years is just ahead.
If Albert was going to be out a couple games, looking at our schedule, the Rams and the 49ers games seem the best ones for him to miss. Unless another in-game injury occurs to another O-lineman, I think inserting Urbik won't be too painful. I do agree that we need to mix up our tendencies some on first down. More play action. Not to say don't run. More, pass when they think run, and run when they think pass.
We need to move on from Albert. When he's healthy, he's very good. Just not dependable. I say bring in a LG or draft one in the middle rounds and then move Tunsil to LT.
I don't think his unfortunate dislocated wrist is a reason to get rid of him or START to look for a replacement....I think his declining play is. He's been beaten badly a lot more than usual this year.
Mike and Mike had a question if the Phins would make the playoffs and Greeny said he thinks we will. He mentioned the schedule and the tough playing we have had now that Gase has assumed control. This ^^^^