looks like my long-shot for the year won't swim in these waters anytime soon.
Dimitri w/ sent packing, much to my chagrin (having picked him to start @ RG).
However, throughout training there has arisen a new interior line template:
1) JohnJerry @ LG + Grove @ C + Incognito @ RG
2) Proctor @ LG + Berger @ C + Thomas @ RG.
3) using two #1 offenses: one in the morning the other in the afternoon?????
would almost appear to be a platoon system...but I'm sure it's just for practice.
however, stranger things have happened in the NFL
some observations:
1) didn't think Proctor w/NFL starting material, figured him for a backup
2) difficult to start a Rookie linesman like Jerry
3) they've used both of them, as far as I can see only @ RG in practice
4) leaving Thomas & Incognito exclusively @ LG
5) Garner evidently has been left out of the competition for either starting guard position.
6) don't want to make too much out of it but I find it interesting.
meaningless or interesting? what do you think?
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Eh, I suspect they really want John Jerry to win the job, but would be fine with Garner/Thomas/Proctor winning it outright.
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my second lineup would have been:
Long-Incognito-Grove-Thomas-Carey
however
the way the practices have been going, doesn't look like that boat will float either -
I think it will be:
LT-Long LG-Thomas C-Grove RG-Jerry RT-Carey -
Well, TBH I think that will be the Oline, I don't see Sparano trading Thomas 83% win rate at the poa for Garner's more finesse based game, especially with Nate coming back from toe surgery.
That leaves Jerry, Proctor and Berger, and Joe B was getting owned by Starks and Soliai in one on one drills, he will be the back up Center/G imho.
Which was Dimitri's downfall, he couldn't move Berger out of the backup C/G role, Proctor is a already a known, and Incognito is locked in at RG.
Add John Jerry to the mix and there just was no room for Stump...I'm still waiting to see if another team signs him. -
someone will pick him up
if not in the NFL
the Canadians want him -
if it is going to be:Long-Incognito-Grove-Thomas-Carey
the upside is Incognito plays right or left equally well
& the Donald has learned much last year about the game
might work... -
Just don't understand the platoon practices w/ two different starting 1st units in the morning & afternoon...
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got to get a look @ Incognito on the left, if that is their intention & begin setting a line
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who knows what they're thinking?
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Well, keep in mind in our system the LG has to pull behind the RG/RT side of the Oline, meaning Richie and Carey seal the end and ILB and the LG has to hit the OLB to free the Rb.
The LG has to be athletic, Richie is powerful, but not really athletic enough to handle that assignment consistently imho.Fin-Omenal likes this. -
true, but Thomas has never played the position, not even in training camp.
he just caught on to things @ RG last year.
maybe, JJ is really all that... but I'm not comfortable w/ the idea.
when Smiley left, I thought for sure Dimitri would be the replacement -
:chuckle:
Then he may get voted off of Sparano Island.
DTrain is plenty athletic enough to handle it, and Sparano said they are keeping J Jerry on the right side as "it fits his skillset" that means only LG is really open for competition. -
I think it's narrowed to these 7 starting:
LT-Long LG -(Thomas, Proctor) C-Grove RG - (Incognito, Jerry) RT-Carey
Garner, Berger, and the rest as reserves. -
makes me nervous
got to get it right up front to win
don't understand the practices
mix them & flip them to see who does what
why use a platoon system of separate starters
unless that's how they want to play in game?
got to set the offensive line asap
not liking this @ all :no: -
Are they switching the tackles, too? If not, there probably more interested in finding the right guys who work better with Long and Carey. BTW I wonder if there is history of this in Dallas?
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the BookEnds stay
probably only swap Berger for Grove @ center
because of past injury problems @ the position
however
Long-Grove-Carey
are set as far as I can see
makes me wonder if they're working on a rotation system
I think they had better discern early on who the starters are before tinkering too much
the offensive line requires timing & communication
more so than any other unit in the game
who knows? maybe they think John Jerry is the new Jake Long, if so I'd take Thomas over Incognito @ RG
the only guarantee I can give you is the season will mirror the offensive line. football games begin & end in the trenches. -
from the way they are practicing & the way they drafted looks like:
Long - Jerry - Grove - Thomas or Incognito - Carey
with the real competition coming @ RG between Thomas & Incognito
our first preseason is 13 days away w/ Tampa @ Miami
I suspect they will start JJ
throughout the preseason games to test his metal
we shall see, the whole thing makes me anxious
way too much riding on the inside guard positions
before
w/ just concerned about the DB's, now it's OL too -
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the only guarantee I can give you is the season will mirror the offensive line. football games begin & end in the trenches.
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how else would you expect them to find the right lineup if they didnt try it more than one way? psychics?
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different combinations at different positions to get as many looks as possible. Helps to see who does what where in different situations. This is nothing new. It happens in training camp every year. For instance they already know what Garner can do at the guard position so they want to see him in what was supposed to be his natural position which is playing tackle. Not real hard to understand. :wink2:
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first Friend Killerphins: sarcasm often sours the milk of human kindness
second Mr. Gish: (w/a legitimate if not provocative comment)
1) neither of the two sets of guards have been exposed to the opposite side of the offensive line that I am aware of during training camp
2) that they were practicing in what appeared to be a platoon mode of would-be starters.
3) my concern is (w/less than two weeks before the preseason) that we find the best two guards to start. (w/ the exception of Thomas) the other three guards have crossed over in playing the position @ different times during their respective careers... simple as that. looking for the best man for the job.
the season will mirror the offensive line. football games begin & end in the trenches.