7/30 Sports Buzz- Dolphins not looking for help at guard | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

7/30 Sports Buzz- Dolphins not looking for help at guard

Daytona Fin

Daytona Fin

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Nuggets on a half-dozen positions off Thursday’s start of Dolphins training camp:

### Guard: It remains the biggest area of concern, but Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum told me the team at this time isn’t looking for help from outside.

Asked if the Dolphins are pursuing free agent Evan Mathis, Tannenbaum said: “We are happy with what we have. Philosophically, when the right player comes along we’ll pursue him. [But] we’re happy with our roster.”

On Thursday, Billy Turner got many of the first-team snaps at right guard, with Jeff Linkenbach receiving some. Rookie Jamil Douglas and Dallas Thomas got first-team snaps at left guard, with Douglas taking the majority.

“Douglas has done some good things; we’re encouraged by some of these guys,” Tannenbaum said. “We have belief in our guys at that position. I’m looking forward to seeing it sort out.”

The sense here: Miami will consider signing Mathis only if the young guards struggle in camp and Mathis is willing to accept well below what he wants monetarily.

### Linebacker: Chris McCain batted away a pass and took most of the first-team snaps alongside Jelani Jenkins and middle linebacker Koa Misi. But there were also times that Kelvin Sheppard played in the middle, with Misi and Jenkins outside.

As ex-Dolphins linebacker and team employee Twan Russell noted, Misi’s “most success” in his career was on the strong-side. But Miami is comfortable playing Misi in the middle for a second year in a row if McCain outplays Sheppard in preseason. Spencer Paysinger and Jordan Tripp joined Sheppard for a majority of the second-team snaps.

### Cornerback: Jamar Taylor continues to get first crack opposite Brent Grimes, but he wasn’t at his best Thursday. He deflected a pass but allowed two receptions to Preston and also was beaten by Rishard Matthews for a deep sideline catch.

Potential first-team slot corner Brice McCain took some first-team snaps on the boundary in place of Taylor and also took some second-team boundary snaps opposite Will Davis.

Davis had a deflection but also was badly beaten on a deep pass to Tommy Streeter, who dropped Matt Moore’s perfect spiral…. Rookie Bobby McCain had an interception off Josh Freeman but dropped two others.

### Receiver: With the top four set and Rishard Matthews a strong front-runner for the fifth job, several skilled receivers probably won’t stick. Among those: Michael Preston, who impressed teammates all spring and made two terrific receptions Thursday; Matt Hazel (nifty leaping grab) and LaRon Byrd (two excellent diving catches).

Potential starter Kenny Stills had several catches Thursday and Greg Jennings showed his savvy route-running, catching a strike from Ryan Tannehill over the middle.

Ryan Tannehill agreed with Joe Philbin that these receivers fit his skill set better than last season’s group. “They can run this offense the way we want it to be run,” Tannehill said. “DeVante Parker’s hurt right now, but he’s a big body with strong hands. You have Kenny, a smooth, fast guy.

“Jarvis Landry can do it all for us. Greg Jennings, he’s a savvy veteran, a great route runner. You look at those guys — Rishard (Matthews) is a big, strong body as well. Those guys have all the weapons that we need. As a coaching staff and an offense, we need to put those guys in position to succeed and be able to get them the ball.”

### Defensive tackle: Unless C.J. Mosley disappoints over the next six weeks, he projects as the No. 3 defensive tackle. But it was Jordan Phillips and Anthony Johnson who took second-team snaps behind Ndamukong Suh and Earl Mitchell on Thursday.
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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...itions-after-day-1-of-camp-heat-roster-m.html
 
They drafted guards, Free agent guards, oh but not Mathis - so they aren't looking for "help" at the position. They don't want to pay 5mil to the guy, neither does anyone else at this time.
 
Guard is a major failure no matter they want to state it
 
giphy.gif
 
I Just....how? Why... ? I mean... sigh
 
As many have pointed out, last year before the line was put in to disarray by injuries they played just fine. The guards were the weakest link but adequate, once Pouncey returned out of position and Albert went down sliding James to LT all hell broke loose making everything look like a flop.

I'm hoping for a bit of good luck this year in the injury department. It'd be nice to have a year off from that bug for once.
 
Mathis would make OV/Miller pretty much impossible to resign. Those 2 players are young with potential meanwhile Mathis is turning 34 this season.
 
Right now everyone gets a look. Until the pads go on many of these positions, like both guards, are not really able to prove themselves. So now is the time to train and familiarize.

Once we understand where the young OL are and whether they can do a passable job, we aren't likely to blow our last big chunk of cap money. Ideally the young ones are up to snuff and we can roll that money over for next year's cap problems ... but if not, we are posturing for Mathis negotiations.

But he is old and gets injured, so regardless, we need to get these young ones ready because they will see snaps during the season.
 
I think they just want to see what they have. They have to much invested in this season, if these guys suck I think they'll make a move.
 
In other fantastic news . . .

Ryan Tannehill agreed with Joe Philbin that these receivers fit his skill set better than last season’s group. “They can run this offense the way we want it to be run,” Tannehill said. “DeVante Parker’s hurt right now, but he’s a big body with strong hands. You have Kenny, a smooth, fast guy.

“Jarvis Landry can do it all for us. Greg Jennings, he’s a savvy veteran, a great route runner. You look at those guys — Rishard (Matthews) is a big, strong body as well. Those guys have all the weapons that we need. As a coaching staff and an offense, we need to put those guys in position to succeed and be able to get them the ball.”
Click to expand...
 
Bg mistake. This will haunt them. The most unfortunate part of this is Tannehill might end up being one of the most sacked QBs once again.
 
Once they get out there for the first couple preseason games and Dallas Thomas gets tossed around by 2nd and 3rd string defenders, maybe they'll realize that this is what is in store for them this season barring what few changes can be made at this point.
 
COphinphan89 said:
Once they get out there for the first couple preseason games and Dallas Thomas gets tossed around by 2nd and 3rd string defenders, maybe they'll realize that this is what is in store for them this season barring what few changes can be made at this point.
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They basically always ignore a major piece of line every year
 
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