In change on Miami Dolphins’ line, LG Sam Brenner passes Nate Garner on depth chart

[datruth55]

I'm excited about Brenner... he hasn't lit it up, or anything, but he's been making the most of his opportunity and the line has started to improve while he has been playing. He looks like he could potentially be our starting LG next season... just one less part of the OL we will need to worry about.

Well this should have been Brenner's "redshirt" year. It should have been him learning the scheme, getting stronger and then coming back next season to compete for a chance at making the roster. Things got accelerated when bully-gate happened. Don't know how many people remember this but Brenner got more snaps on the O-line than any other lineman in the preseason and he graded out very well by PFF. I was actually surprised he didn't make the 53.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

It's funny to me how McKinnie's gone from role to role to role. He was never really
a "Bad boy"....Just sort of a big kid.

It sounds like he's really taking this season, and this role seriously.

Kinda how I see it as well. McKinnie's put himself in a couple of dumb situations in the past that resulted in off the field trouble for him and his teammates, but he's not a bad person.

There's a big difference between being a clown and being a scumbag.

 

[ChambersWI]

also notice how according to Alex Gibbs Richie Incognito (and technically John Jerry) are awful fits for our blocking scheme as well.

 

[Pat-London]

If you've got time here are some video's of Gibbs teaching the ZBS.
http://www.fieldgulls.com/2012/8/2/3215058/alex-gibbs-teaches-the-zone-blocking-scheme

And here is where I got his requirements from.
http://seahawksdraft.blogspot.com/2010/03/alex-gibbs-as-colorful-as-he-is.html

Awesome, thanks bud, appreciate it.

---------- Post added at 02:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:32 PM ----------

also notice how according to Alex Gibbs Richie Incognito (and technically John Jerry) are awful fits for our blocking scheme as well.

Yep, I and others commented on this last year and in the offseason. I consider(d) both gap fillers, they have mobility which gives the appearance of them being a fit. I know i'm in the minority here, but I really would like to have a look at Jerry a RT, or failing that playing the role Garner has played the past couple of years, i.e. the first man off the bench.

 

[CRAZYDOLFAN305]

You have got to be happy for Brenner. I think his lack of height, relative to other OL, really gives him an advantage in terms of leverage.
It also sucks that Soliai had an ankle injury in the game.

But what about the 2nd round whiffs ?

 

[CRAZYDOLFAN305]

Apparently we were lead to believe we have no depth on this team, but for some weird reason, EVERY TIME A PLAYER GOES DOWN. ANOTHER ONE STEPS UP. I wonder WTF do you call that..

 

[LouPhinFan]

Apparently we were lead to believe we have no depth on this team, but for some weird reason, EVERY TIME A PLAYER GOES DOWN. ANOTHER ONE STEPS UP. I wonder WTF do you call that..

Why hasn't Dallas Thomas stepped up?

 

[NorFlaFin]

Per Alex Gibbs, Pouncey is too tall at 6'5". I do think since alex Gibb wrote this about 20yrs ago. The heights and weight need to be adjusted for todays NFL player.

 

[datruth55]

Per Alex Gibbs, Pouncey is too tall at 6'5". I do think since alex Gibb wrote this about 20yrs ago. The heights and weight need to be adjusted for todays NFL player.

What does that even mean? The article was written March 20, 2010 and it was taken from an article with Gibbs written the year before...not exactly 20 years ago.

Like I said this is a guide, not set in stone. Gibbs is currently an OL consultant for the Broncos, he was assistant OL coach for the Seahawks from 2010-2012 I believe and Max Unger is 6'5" both the Guards in Seattle are 6'5" and so is their LT Russell Okung. I believe their right tackle is 6'6" or 6'7". Houston, one of the better teams running the ZBS, has Chris Myers at Center and he's 6'4", Wade Smith the LG is 6'4", Brandon Brooks the RG is 6'5", Duane Brown the LT is 6'4" and Derek Newton the RT is 6'6". Broncos go 6'5" LT, 6'4" LG, 6'3" C, 6'5" RG and 6'7" RT.

If you read the article closely and pay attention you will see Gibbs says height and length doesn't mean squat. Marginal height but PLAYS WITH GREAT LEVERAGE. Gibbs looks for guys with a long torso and short legs, squatty guys who can play with leverage. Guys who can step laterally while keeping their shoulders square to the LOS. He also said this:

Experience is absolutely crucial. Even in the NFL, I'll take our draft picks and put them on our scout team for two years before they can play for us, and these are guys we drafted because we think they fit our system!"

Which is what I believe we were doing with Brenner until injuries and bully-gate had to speed up the process. Now we've had two drafts since the scheme change and in those two drafts Ireland has taken Jonathan Martin, who fits the size but was well below the strength threshold and certainly didn't have the right personality that Gibbs looks for, and Dallas Thomas, who they're trying to turn into an OT but his technique and footwork are so bad I'm not sure he'll fit, plus is much better inside than he is on an island. So at a glance it looks as though Ireland is checking body types but not checking to see if these guys can actually play on the offensive line.