Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill: Offensive line is coming together

[datruth55]

One of the big questions entering this week during joint practices was how well the Miami Dolphins’ offensive line would hold up against the quality defensive line of the Carolina Panthers.

Miami’s offensive line has been pummeled consistently in training camp against its defensive line, led by Pro Bowl lineman Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake. For weeks, the Dolphins’ coaching staff said the pummeling is only making their offensive line better.

There were some early signs in Wednesday’s joint practices that Miami’s coaches could be correct in their assessment. By all accounts, the Dolphins’ offensive line protected well Wednesday against the Panthers. The much-maligned group also held up well in its only drive last week in a preseason opener against the Chicago Bears.

“Our defensive line is one of the best in the league. So for them to go against them every day, it’s only going to strengthen their ability,” Tannehill told reporters in Spartanburg, S.C., on Wednesday. “To come out here and do a great job all day, especially with all of these pressures they’re getting, being able to pass them off, [identify] them correctly. I thought they did a great job.”

The group had plenty of ups and downs this summer but is showing improvement in the past week. Young guards Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas were the two biggest question marks, but are making strides.

The expected return of starting left tackle Branden Albert (knee) also would be a big boost for Miami’s offense. Albert is gradually doing more in practice and is aiming for Week 1 of the regular season against the Washington Redskins.

Tannehill is the NFL’s most-sacked quarterback (139 times) in the past three seasons. An improved offensive line will go a long way to helping the Dolphins’ offense take the next step.

“Yeah, they’re definitely becoming better each and every day,” Tannehill said. “I sensed it in the beginning that they had some work to do, but the more that those guys play together, the more consistent they get.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolph...n-tannehill-offensive-line-is-coming-together

Sounds like Dallas Thomas is actually playing well...the RG position is still a concern though.

 

[ShorePhin]

Moral of the story: Young players should be allowed to blossom or at least grow and hot takes from OTA's and 2 weeks worth of practice just make you look foolish, reactionary and a overall pant****ter. They don't have to be great just get the job done

 

[fininpsl]

http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolph...n-tannehill-offensive-line-is-coming-together

Sounds like Dallas Thomas is actually playing well...the RG position is still a concern though.

The other positive on the line is Jason Fox. He has been adequate and more importantly fully healthy for the first time in 3 years. I'd guess the former is related to the latter. Adequate is all we need out of a swing tackle. When Albert gets back it leaves us with a little depth on the o-line.

 

[DolfanISS]

Moral of the story: Young players should be allowed to blossom or at least grow and hot takes from OTA's and 2 weeks worth of practice just make you look foolish, reactionary and a overall pant****ter. They don't have to be great just get the job done

interesting take. I think we should judge and dump them if they aren't good right away.

 

[datruth55]

interesting take. I think we should judge and dump them if they aren't good right away.

You're not alone...plenty around here feel the same about every position on the team.

 

[russianbear]

Moral of the story: Young players should be allowed to blossom or at least grow and hot takes from OTA's and 2 weeks worth of practice just make you look foolish, reactionary and a overall pant****ter. They don't have to be great just get the job done

Well let's keep in mind we're still practicing, the panthers weren't at full strength, and the initial camp and practice reports indicated we may have some trouble ahead. We weren't talking to Evan Mathis's agent just to shoot the breeze here....we still have a long way to go and aren't even sure who the starting 5 are gonna be. Knee jerkers in general will end up looking foolish but Tannehill is the most sacked qb sinc entering the league so we've long had justification for our concern. Very, very happy to hear they held up well as a unit against competition though.

 

[ShorePhin]

The same people who said Tannehill will never be a franchise QB and are ball washing him now are the same ones who generally are the panic stricken ones. Fox is a perfect example guy has done nothing but be steady, has he got beat sure he has, every linesman does but god forbid he gets so much as a mention and that guy gets labeled a turnstile. The irony of Mathis is wasted on many

 

[datruth55]

Well let's keep in mind we're still practicing, the panthers weren't at full strength, and the initial camp and practice reports indicated we may have some trouble ahead. We weren't talking to Evan Mathis's agent just to shoot the breeze here....we still have a long way to go and aren't even sure who the starting 5 are gonna be. Knee jerkers in general will end up looking foolish but Tannehill is the most sacked qb sinc entering the league so we've long had justification for our concern. Very, very happy to hear they held up well as a unit against competition though.

They're making progress...that's all I care about at this point. If the O-line was stagnant I think we would have signed Mathis by now.

 

[So Be]

It's too early to say that the OL will be good or even average but, there are some very promising signs.

Dallas sounds to be as improved as coaches and FO have told us. In all my posts defending him I thought he showed some promise last year, and could be around average this year. That is no longer far fetched.

I think Turner is going through the same growing pains as Thomas last year but, has a big advantage in playing only one position. I like most of what I'm hearing and the little I've seen.

I think Douglas has shown well but, is going through growing pains of a rookie although I do think it is much less than Dallas or Turner as he looks to be more ready.

Put the 3 together and I'm pretty happy with them at this point. We may even have depth.

I may have jumped the gun on Fox but, could not get his not playing last year forcing DT to RT. I gave him less chance to improve being a vet. He appears to be holding his own so far. We shall see.

 

[datruth55]

It's too early to say that the OL will be good or even average but, there are some very promising signs.

Dallas sounds to be as improved as coaches and FO have told us. In all my posts defending him I thought he showed some promise last year, and could be around average this year. That is no longer far fetched.

I think Turner is going through the same growing pains as Thomas last year but, has a big advantage in playing only one position. I like most of what I'm hearing and the little I've seen.

I think Douglas has shown well but, is going through growing pains of a rookie although I do think it is much less than Dallas or Turner as he looks to be more ready.

Put the 3 together and I'm pretty happy with them at this point. We may even have depth.

I may have jumped the gun on Fox but, could not get his not playing last year forcing DT to RT. I gave him less chance to improve being a vet. He appears to be holding his own so far. We shall see.

Douglas is doing better than Dallas Thomas did as a rookie because he's strong as heck. He's already one of the strongest O-lineman we have.

LOS ANGELES – Arizona State offensive lineman Jamil Douglas made news earlier this year after being named to multiple lists for freaks in college football. NFL.com’s Mike Huguenin reported that Douglas could power clean 385 pounds, bench 430 and squat 565.

If you thought that was impressive, however, it appears some of those numbers are outdated. Speaking Thursday at Pac-12 Football Media Day, Douglas mentioned that he recently power cleaned 390 and squatted 585. As if squatting 585 once wasn't enough, he did two reps at that weight.

“I love the fact of training for a season; training to prove what you’ve been working on the whole season,” said Douglas, who also noted that he benched 415 the same day (slacker).

Those monstrous numbers mean more than just being a freak in the weight room. Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham says Douglas, now a team captain alongside Taylor Kelly, leads by example.

http://pac-12.com/article/2014/07/24/arizona-states-jamil-douglas-more-weight-room-freak

 

[FSU Truth]

This o-line doesn't have to be great across the board...you will get great play from pounce and BA...if you can get good and average from the rest, this offense should be fine.

 

[nick1]

This o-line doesn't have to be great across the board...you will get great play from pounce and BA...if you can get good and average from the rest, this offense should be fine.

great play from James too. James is a beast

 

[Travis34]

Hopefully he's not just being diplomatic. I hope Turner can maintain the RG well enough without facing monsters like Suh every week. Maybe Douglas is a solid back up option for either spot. Or Thomas...? who knows. I just hope for the best

 

[Sons Of Shula]

“To come out here and do a great job all day, especially with all of these pressures they’re getting, being able to pass them off, [identify] them correctly. I thought they did a great job.”

That's what I liked reading. Good stuff.

 

[hoops]

great play from James too. James is a beast

It was only one game and basically one drive but james to me looks more athletic overall like he got more in shape and he might be a little stronger in the lower half...in pass pro i couldnt ask for anything more than what i saw...textbook from technique to his footwork to his base and his lateral quickness to his punch and placement

Somebodys gonna have to work their ass off to beat that kid if he looks like that

if i was drawing up a kick slide drill thats what id want it to look like