Is Sparano micromanaging the line too much? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Is Sparano micromanaging the line too much?

WesternNYDolfan

WesternNYDolfan

Club Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
2,246
Reaction score
853
Our line was great last year, we cut Smiley who I think was instrumental in Jake Long's development, but wasn't too worried about, and now it looks like Grove won't be starting.

This makes me nervous, Grove was stellar last year, actually better than stellar, now we're putting Berger in his place? Doesn't his performance last year count for anything?

Alot of what makes O-Lines great is continuity, which helps them with their communication; I feel like Sparano is a little too demanding of the lineman especially in Training Camp...We're talking about practice! (c) A. Iverson

Didn't we sign Grove because of his strength? Which helps us deal w/ Wilfork's and Jenkins' of the NFL. It seems like Berger isn't as strong as Grove, so wtf? Maybe Berger looks better in practice because he's dealing with a smaller, quicker NT in Starks.

Am I the only one worried about the micromanagement, and want Sparano to decide on a cot damn starting o-line already!?
 
He's an expert on the offensive line but I agree. I'm a big fan of continuity when it comes to offensive lines and it seems like Sparano is pulling a bit of a Wanny now where he's letting the battles dwindle on for too long. I'd love to hear some analysis from some of our o-line experts here on how these guys faired vs Tampa and Jacksonville as well (after the game of course). The Grove vs Berger thing worries me as well. Even if Berger wins the job that would leave us with no backup if we cut Grove to free up cap money (in an uncapped year nonetheless). Now Berger never faced Jenkins but I wonder how the 2 of them faired vs Wilfork. The Dolphins face 2 of the best space eating NT's in football, I hope the coaching staff knows what they are doing. Many folks who watched the vids that CK put together thought Grove was the better player but not so much better that it warrants a 20 million dollar pay difference. Well I admit I would be a bad NFL GM becuase I would still want the better player playing. Also I read some comments that stated Grove was the player who was better at everything but brute force while I read today that Berger is more agile but Grove offers more brute force, which is it? It's confusing but for whatever the reason our staff seems to like Berger better. I would just hate to see the interior o-line take a step back now that we have a WR threat and should see 7 man fronts more often. If Randy Thomas even competes for a starting spot I'll be pissed. Not that I think he's not any good but for the fact that the staff brought a guy in who could be better than the guys they've had all through camp. Sounds like a gaff if you ask me.
 
If we don't have our starting O-line set going into the 3rd preseason game, I'll be worried. Until then, I'll hold off judgement.

I do agree, though, with the sentiment of this post.
 
That's basically what I'm thinking, and all this cutting cap space in a uncapped year stuff is b.s.; play your best players
 
what good is a center who is injured constantly, not to mention is most likely at the top of the league for holding calls and false starts against a center.

He is strong, and a very good center:

A) When he is actually on the field
B) When he is not getting flagged for penalties that ABSOLUTELY NO center should be making, and at home games nevertheless!
 
umm lets see Top 5 O-Line last year, very good O-Line in 2008. Look thats his forte' since he has been here the O-Line has dominated their is no reason to think it wont again this year. I however dont understand why he demands so much out of practice. I mean you know what Grove did/can do. You also know Berger is a backup and is performing against 2nd teamers most likely, but hey he knows what he's doing bottom line. Nate garner was nothing last training camp and then he became a vital cog of the line. Maybe, jus maybe Berger will do the same. This means Sparano knows how to develop Offensive lineman and expects whoever is playing to perform at a pro bowl level.
 
Well that didn't take long, Randy Thomas was seeing time as the starting LG this afternoon. Maybe we will have the line setlled by week 4 or 5.
 
DolfanISS said:
Well that didn't take long, Randy Thomas was seeing time as the starting LG this afternoon. Maybe we will have the line setlled by week 4 or 5.
Click to expand...

I didn't really expect it to jell before that, but it will take even longer if they can't get the same crew of guys to get some reps together.
 

The center position remains undecided between Joe Berger, who appears to have a slight edge for now, and Jake Grove. And the guards have been mixed and matched like Garanimals throughout training camp, with rookie John Jerry, free agent Richie Incognito, free agent Cory Procter and Donald Thomas getting time with the first unit.
``By the end of this preseason game [Saturday in Jacksonville], I've kind of got to get it settled down one way or the other,'' Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said.
That will give the Dolphins four to five more quarters of preseason football to work with one another at game speed. Usually, the third exhibition game sees the starters play into the third quarter and the final game is The Filler Bowl -- played to fill out the exhibition schedule mostly by those who will fill out roster bottoms.
Click to expand...
​


 
It bugs the piss out of me the way the o line is constantly shuffled.

That's why I hate reading camp reports and try to stay away from here.

If we have another slow start this year I will blame part of it on the annual o line shuffle.
 
All I know is.. Jake Long, Vernon Carey, and John Jerry are the starters. The rest I don't even care anymore.. new name penciled in every week.
 
idk, I'm glad he's figure it out after Jacksonville, but I mean not even just the O-line, but just the constant roster flux, I believe is why we always start slow, let's hope that's not a continuing trend
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom