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Barry Jackson Sports Buzz 7-29

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Already without Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey for a large chunk of the season, the Dolphins’ outlook at center became more worrisome Tuesday when backup Sam Brenner was carted off with a lower leg injury, and new center Shelley Smith had two more botched exchanges with quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

“Obviously, I’m concerned,” offensive line coach John Benton said. “We’ve got to find a way to be good at that position. Obviously, there are some questions.”

Benton was asked if it is clear to him if Smith is capable of playing center well in an NFL game.

“It’s unclear in the sense there’s a lot unclear until you get to that first game,” he said. “We’ll know a lot after that first preseason game. I’m optimistic. To say confident is probably a little stretch.
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On why Dallas Thomas is ahead of Billy Turner at right guard: “Somebody has to go ahead of somebody. It’s still a competition. Dallas has shown some good things. Billy has shown some good things. They both have to be more consistent.”

### He said he is not concerned about the right side of the line (Thomas, James) being inexperienced.

“Not really because we’re all learning this offense together, all learning the protection schemes,” he said. “A veteran is going to have a couple tricks up his sleeve. The rookies might not. It comes down to the best on the field. Daryn Colledge and Branden Albert have spent all their time and are most comfortable on the left. I’m not going to mess that up to try to help something else.”
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Then there’s the other Damien Williams, the undrafted rookie running back who was thrown off the Oklahoma team last fall. Williams took some snaps with the first team on Tuesday and has displayed good burst.

“He’s got good hands,” Philbin said. “The thing you notice about him, he has a little bit of a second gear. I think he’s got that explosiveness. He shuffled one or two times today on a draw, I know we corrected him one time where he kind of danced in the hole a little bit, but typically he’s been decisive. When he really makes up his mind, you kind of see him moving away from people. I think he catches the ball well, I like what he’s done so far.
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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/
 
I think they are waiting for Turner to go by Thomas.

Jackson seems to give it a "shot" that Satele could be signed.
 
I like having the vets side by side on the left. If you're going to have pressure its better to know where its coming from on a consistent basis, and know you have a safe spot to escape to. A lot of QBs had to deal with really quick pressure last season but they still had room to elude it. In our case quite often the pressure was quick and coming from everywhere.
 
Let the players play at the position they are most effective at.
 
most telling thing i took from that...sure sounds like colledge is the plan at left guard going into week 1...i hope this guys not a incog like stiff movement wise

"Daryn Colledge and Branden Albert have spent all their time and are most comfortable on the left. I’m not going to mess that up to try to help something else.”
 
Indications so far are that yes, Albert/Colledge are fine and trusted by the coaching staff. I even think Dallas Thomas will be "ok" at RG until Smith can move over (hopefully soon), and James is gonna get smoked a bit early this year, but it will be helpful to his progression. Having one hole > having three. Left-sided running game anyone?
 
I'd be curious to have a look at Garner at C and Smith back at RG. That's where they wanted him [Smith] from the start.

If Garner is a 'best 5' at this point, then don't mess around having him double up across the line - put him at centre(er).

The way I'd look at it right now is. (Caveat - it's way too early)
LT - Albert
LG - Colledge
C - Garner
RG - Smith
RT - James

Let Thomas be swing guard and test Tuner at swing tackle with Fox as another option.

If you need a back up Centre - shift over Smith and slot in Turner at RG.

* this may change after the next padded practice.
** I'm liking what I'm hearing about Turner - no matter the position. Polished he's not, but he's got an edge.
 
The one thing that makes me a little optimistic about Colledge is that Joe Philbin has been very stubborn about not bringing guys he worked with in Green Bay to Miami.

The fact that he was willing to give Colledge a shot makes me think the guy might be able to do the job.
 
I agree with Pat. Maybe I am too cautious, but Garner can survive at C. He's not a move athlete by any stretch, but he at least knows what to do and can snap it effectively. If anything, our snaps went better with Garner over Pouncey last season. I suppose that Smith is the high ceiling guy at center. He's a terrific move athlete and someone astutely pointed out, Smith will have more help in pass pro on the pivot. Smith can definitely get to the second level and would have that high ceiling compared with Garner.

The Turner vs Thomas situation is promising in the sense that it sounds like Turner has a shot there. Turner is obviously a good move athlete with some nastiness, but is coming from a low level of college so he needs to adjust to the level of play and understanding leverage, etc. But if he is learning enough to be able to go out there, he has that upside and, let's face it, he has future starter written all over him, it's just a matter of when. Thomas was so bad last year, it's hard to envision him getting ready.

Benton seems to give it to us straight. So, I found it to be positive that he was effusive in praising Ju'wan James. The guy is clearly a quality character guy. You've gotta love how Wake is training him and talking with him. Wake is a great Dolphin and a good team leader. I wonder if Starks does the same with the young interior linemen. All I ever hear is that Starks is kicking some youngster's ass inside. That may be part of the initation, but Wake takes that next step of telling the young OT what he can do to get better and explaining *why* the kid got blown up and Wake even offers suggestions for counters.

The Damien Williams situation was very positive at running back. Philbin pointing him out is interesting. He may be a find.
 
since the pads have come on the shine on the dallas thomas penny seems to be coming off...tomorrows an underwear practice so i'm sure he will look good...billy turner polish up that technique and take someones job son...
 
One quote left out by the O.P. was Benton remarking on James. He sounded very optimistic and pleased with him so far. Considering everyone is so thrilled with Benton's honesty, I think this would be a pretty good sign for our new RT.
 
Pat-London said:
Love this description - gotta remember that.
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I don't think I would wanna attend that practice, give me the cheerleaders in an underwear practice and I'm all over that
 
hooshoops said:
most telling thing i took from that...sure sounds like colledge is the plan at left guard going into week 1...i hope this guys not a incog like stiff movement wise

"Daryn Colledge and Branden Albert have spent all their time and are most comfortable on the left. I’m not going to mess that up to try to help something else.”
Click to expand...

Agreed, I noticed Colledge was a Philbin pick and not a Benton pick.
 
Samson Satele? Are you freaking kidding me? The guy with the alligator arms who was the worst center in the league? I would take Garner over him any day.
 
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