AP: Dolphins still sorting out o-line options

[gafin]

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins' revamped offensive line has been a concern since the start of training camp, when the first snap of the first practice landed on the ground.

Poor exchanges with the quarterback have been a persistent problem, and blocking is an even bigger worry. The Dolphins will have five new starters in the season opener, and one week into camp, two positions remain up for grabs.

Miami's set at tackle with veteran newcomer Braden Albert on the left side and first-round draft pick Ja'Wuan James on the right. Daryn Colledge, a ninth-year veteran who signed in June, has plugged the hole at left guard. But the Dolphins have tried three centers with the first team and done even more shuffling at right guard, with spotty results.

The biggest test yet will come when the team scrimmages Saturday at the Dolphins' stadium.

"Tomorrow is going to be important," coach Joe Philbin said Friday. "There will be no coaches on the field, so the players will have to figure it out. They have to make the calls. We'll see how those guys sort things out for themselves."

"All of us are gelling together," Albert said. "Even the backups are gelling together. It's part of this team that has to come together at some point, and we will."

Newcomer Shelley Smith, a reserve guard for most of his career, fared poorly in a tryout at center. Another option, Sam Brenner, missed several practices with a leg injury. Nate Garner, a utilityman for Miami since 2009, lined up with the first team Friday.

The right guard situation is also muddled, with Dallas Thomas, Billy Turner, Brenner, Smith, Garner and David Arkin all possibilities. Thomas saw little action as a rookie last year, while Turner is a third-round pick who played tackle in college.

Much of the shuffling of personnel was planned before camp.

"We knew we wanted to get guys in different spots," Philbin said. "This is the period where we wanted to do most of our experimenting. We may do a little less next week."

Smith said he and his fellow linemen don't mind practicing at multiple positions, figuring it will give the Dolphins more flexibility and better depth.

"We have to be ready to hop in at different places," Smith said. "It's part of being an o-lineman — you've got to be a smart guy and know what's going on around you. It's just part of the game."

http://pro32.ap.org/article/dolphins-still-sorting-out-offensive-line-options

 

[mrhankey81701]

I think that the only remaining question is who is the starting center, either Brenner or Smith. I don't think this Smith experiment lasts very long and I think they move him back to RG and let Brenner start at C to open the season.

 

[123phins]

this year i expect the Oline to be better than last but not by a huge margin. 5 new guys and some are boarder line guys. Next year i think will be a good year for the Oline. Albert, Pouncey healthy, James with a year under his belt, and the guards could have set in from this year with Smith, Thomas, or Turner.

Smith really has to earn his job by playing well this year because how his contract looks if he doesnt really impress he is an easy cut candidate.

 

[Djavelin]

Smith at center is garbage. We need garner ,Brenner, or give Larson a go.