James feeling comfortable entering second season

[Daytona Fin]

Ja’Wuan James was low-key and soft-spoken when he first arrived in South Florida as the Dolphins’ first-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft, and that hasn’t changed even after what could only be described as a successful rookie season.

Maybe the only thing that’s changed about James is his confidence level, the kind of confidence that comes with a year of NFL experience and having initial success in the league.

“I’m more comfortable,” James said. “I know what’s coming now. This offseason, spring training went by fast, flew compared to last year. But just knowing what’s coming and knowing the playbook already and stuff like that, it helped me work on other things.”


Atfer being selected 19th overall in the 2014 draft, James started all 16 games as a rookie and earned All-Rookie honors. More impressively, he made the difficult switch from right to left tackle for the final seven games after Branden Albert went down with a knee injury in a November game at Detroit.

“I have no doubt that Ja’Wuan could move back over,” offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said. “When you stop back at the end of the year and you watch all the video — which sometimes you’re able to take the emotion out of it — I see a guy, when I watch him play that right tackle spot I think the guy’s going to be a really good player.”

Said offensive line coach John Benton: “He had to make a tough transition when Branden got hurt. We moved him to left tackle, a position he had never played before. (He) had his ups and downs over there, but we kind of plan on Branden being back, maybe a little optimistic but with some contingencies of course. Like to see Ja’Wuan stay at the right side. Really felt like before we moved him, he was really taking that position and rolling with it like a good veteran player would. Excited to see where he’ll take it this year.”

“I’m willing to do whatever like I always tell them,” James said. “It was definitely a struggle switching back and forth, but I’m willing to do it. Whatever the team needs, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Wherever he lines up, James has some definite ideas on the areas he’d like to improve.

“We’ve been in the process of setting O-line goals, but for myself I just want to be mentally clear,” he said. “Just go up to the line, be able to play fast, knowing my playbook, knowing checks or anything I have to do at the line. I want to be able to play faster this year and that’s the mental aspect of it, being in the film room more, just having the extra experience. I definitely just want to play mentally clear and faster.”

“Just being out there, getting those game, live reps,” James said when asked what was the biggest thing he took from his rookie season. “Seeing things out there, being better from game one than I was at 14 ... I got way better from game 1 to 14 and I just want it to carry over. I want me to be 16 games better this year.”

http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/a...id=621401118073970692&adbpl=tw&adbpr=19853312


There was also this quote I remembered from a couple days ago. I believe we won't have to worry about any learning miscues early in the season on offense. We need a fast start can't afford the errors this year.

[tweet]620706587385167872[/tweet]

 

[MiZFiT]

Best offense in the AFC. Book it! (Barring Albert going down, his health is key)

 

[datruth55]

10 times better gets them close to average O-line in the NFL...up from Division II O-line level.

 

[WinterIsComing]

He did a great job last season. I expect him to be even better this year with the experience under his belt.