How do you nail down a position in shorts? And I am being serious.

 

Especially an oline position, the area MOST effected by not being in pads?

 

lol I was thinking the same thing. How can someone step up and solidify a position that's up for grabs in OTAs. That's what camp and preseason is for, especially at the O-Line.

Another solid optimistic post by LB.

 

The OG position is a real concern, pads or not, it's pretty obvious imo- not to mention the questions surrounding when Branden Albert will be ready to play at LT. To me the solution is obvious, especially for an OL that uses a ZBS- sign Evan Mathis. Use that available cap money this year, make the deal cap friendly for 2016 and get it done.

 

IMO, they're going to use the wait-and-see approach on Mathis. By the look of the training camp schedule, I think they'll closely observe the guards in practices the first week leading up to the scrimmage on Friday, August 7th, if by the following weekend they are not sold on both guard positions, they'll pursue Mathis.

 

Guards are likely going to be pretty bad. Up to everyone else to pick up the slack.

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They might not have any choice but to wait. Drew Rosenhaus was on Sports Buzz, a weekly spot on WSVN in south Florida late Sunday night, and he clearly stated that he and Mathis are in no rush whatsoever to sign- plenty of suitors and they want to see who will up the ante, the insinuation being injuries, teams realizing need, position weakness etc. being the driving forces to get Mathis a better deal. That being said, my opinion is screw it it, we need quality and experienced OGs, he's a great fit, go sign him. No matter how you cut it Billy Turner is unproven, Jamil Douglas is a rookie and Dallas Thomas is, well, Dallas Thomas. No team in the NFL needs Evan Mathis more than the Dolphins. Go get him.

 

Need a spoon, need a Guard? "Ahaaa!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3jx4WIUYy4

Evan Mathis is the metaphorical spoon that we need to get.

 

If his agent convinced him to wait he isnt going to sign yet.. Seems simple to me.

 

Of course. When Rosenhaus does make Mathis available we should be first in line.

 

How many times have we seen an offensive line(or component of it) that was **** on paper, and was **** in practice turn it around when the games started?

You've got the makings of the kind of dumpster fire that can lose you games at Guard.

 

Normally, when faced with a lack of actual information, a rational view would be neutral.

Here, however, when faced with a lack of info (like how good our guards will be), the view is negative not neutral.

We don't know if Turner will be good, if Thomas will improve or if Douglas will be good, so that is cause for questions, but why is it cause for panic? Turner, in limited playing time, didn't embarrass himself. Thomas AT GUARD NOT RT, wasn't as awful as people would have us believe and Douglas fits the system. Assuming we only need average guard play, I'm not sure why the sky is falling.

 

Honestly, I have no issue reading this and I think the concern is justified. I think the players know more than us that this team has some serious talent and an opportunity to do something this year. For players who have seen our QB get sacked more than any QB in the league they do't want it to go undressed.

I think it's a valid point and difficult to assess a OL in shorts and shirts. Hopefully, when the pads come on so does the aggression. But, let's be serious Albert is ? to start week one and who knows exactly how effective he will be. He is the difference maker on this OL, aside from that moving Pouncey back to center will help aide the OG adjustment. Letting JuWan focus on RT and only that is huge for his development.

I like what I've seen from Jamil Douglas but fellas were playing in the AFC East, take a look at those DL's we have 2x a year. For him to go against Wilkerson, Richardson, K Williams, M Dareus, M Williams, Easley, Jones, Brown... yeah that is asking an awful lot. Aside from that he may be playing next to Jason Fox to begin the year, doesn't leave me too comfortable about Tannehill's blind side. Shift over to RG my hope is Billy Turner puts to rest any fear for that position. Turner is a mauler and it will be a huge thing for us to see him take the next step.

I think the concern also stems from knowing what has happened at that position the past three years, and trying to go younger may not leave people satisfied on the team. Another factor may be an All-Pro OG sitting in FA. While Mathis is seasoned I'd easily say he is still Top 5 caliber for his position. Granted he will cost a bit but I see no reason why not to lock him up. Let Jamil either compete for RG with Turner or learn behind Mathis. Bringing Mathis into the fold with Albert back healthy that left side of our OL is downright nasty.

The only downside is the cap cost it may have we know we invested a boat load of money into RT17 and Suh. Also that we have Miller, and Vernon as potential FA's. That is going to be a tough decision next offseason plain and simple because both are young ascending players but may demand too much $$$. Still, with some restructuring in Grimes, Wake, and maybe Suh to lower 2016 # we can make this work.

The potential for this offense is sky high, and allowing our QB time to make proper reads could be the difference. RB is much more certain than last year. WR/TE while revamped has an added dimension that fits to the strength of our offense. We've seen the capability of our QB when upright.

 

The sky isn't falling at all. Instead of mindlessly regurgitating old narratives people need to go back and actually watch the guy play. Buffalo, KC, Oakland, Jax, Thomas was fine at OG last season. If he's able to finally focus on one position he could be even better.

 

Exactly.

How do you generate clicks during a dead time in the season? Dumb articles like these.

 

Are the Dolphins players who feel concerned about the Guard position dumb as well?

 

Which ones were those?

 

I'm concerned about it as well. We all should be.

Just sign Evan Mathis and get it over with.

 

DOLPHINS NOTE

### Among the feedback we've heard from Dolphins players: There's definitely concern about the situation at guard, where nobody has seized a position (though rookie Jamil Douglas has had some good moments); optimism about the secondary even beyond Brent Grimes (Jamar Taylor, Brice McCain were solid in May/June practices and Bobby McCain and Tony Lippett flashed); and praise for how linebacker Chris McCain has handled his increased responsibilities.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...rades-marlins-at-halfway-point-dolphins-.html

 

This kinda jives with the reports saying RT went to the front office and asked them to sign Mathis. Too much smoke there to be fire-free.

Also jives with OTA reports about every DL smoking Dallas Thomas, including rooks (granted it's just in shorts...still not fun to see).

However, I'm waiting for at least the pre-season games to worry...he showed decent enough last year at guard...we don't need 1st Team All-Pro...we just need decent.

I'm borderline more concerned with Turner at RG...has he learned leverage yet? I'd expected RG to be locked up by now.

 

first of all, why am I not surprised who started this thread...



they must do something right....this is an astonishing number, imo

 

The options get worse, not better when camp starts. Every year there is concern with the oline and every year, we hear, oh camp didn't even start yet. Season didn't start yet. We're only 4 games in. Oh there is always next season.

By Sept 3, the fate is sealed. July 3rd, you can still try to do something about it.

And RT hasn't denied that, has he? You figured he would if he did not lobby, lest he be seen as throwing his teammates under the bus.

 

Or Miller was really good, or Lazor's spacing was, or all the above, or none of the above.

There is cause for concern.

 

its Dolphins RB´s not Lamar Miller....that scheme still has to be executed though

 

not to sure what to make of the stat, I believe we were below average in third down conversions..you would think if we are getting good yardage on first down our 3rd down conversion rate would be better.

 

I totally agree, but Mathis is the only real FA OG worth mentioning out there, and the longer you wait the greater the chance someone else signs him. Just gotta trust Tannenbaum on this one I guess.. and so far he's earned that trust, but OG is really making me nervous. Potential is one thing, uncertainty at a weak position (for pass blocking) another.

 

That's why you ring the alarm now ;)

Who at this time is good? If anyone is, they won't likely be around Sept 3.

 

yes let's talk about what we've both said in the past, like your yearly 5 win season prediction.

 

We here at the Dolphins organization would like to reiterate our faith in our offensive guards...

 

Oh man.. that guy was hilarious.

 

That's a fair question. My answer would be yes. Being concerned that the OL wasn't settled during non contact practices is pretty dumb. Though I doubt Jackson got an actual quote on the subject, at least not in the context that's being implied in the article.

 

He could be going off the report of RT going to the front office and asking them to sign Mathis...that kinda speaks to a certain level of "concern."

 

Blind pessimism is even worse. I mean we're talking about practice. Not a game. Practice...

And since we all know you don't study 32 teams' offensive line play how about we stop w the worst guard situation in the league stuff.

 

Are you talking about the report that came from Mathis' agent?

 

Basically...stories have been made off less.