Miami Dolphins again looking for two good men to fill void at guard

[DKphin]

Kraig Urbik can play any of the three interior offensive line spots. (Allen Eyestone/The Post)

It has been years since the Dolphins haven’t had to sweat their guard situation. So many that Richie Incognito was part of the solution until he was deemed to be part of the problem.

So in one of the least-surprising developments of this summer’s OTAs, the Dolphins are looking for two good men to fill what should be the only holes on offense.

http://dailydolphin.blog.mypalmbeac...oking-for-two-good-men-to-fill-void-at-guard/

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Larsen and Asiata are probably the to most viable candidates to fill the guard spots. But though they can both anchor in pass protection, the problem therein lies that they both are sub-par in the second level in the run game.

 

[VBCheeseGrater]

Larsen and Asiata are probably the to most viable candidates to fill the guard spots. But though they can both anchor in pass protection, the problem therein lies that they both are sub-par in the second level in the run game.

Would it be a mistake to think we could live with that if stout on initial run blocking and pass pro?

 

[phintim]

Center has to be considered a issue also

 

[circumstances]

i'd like to see asiata and bushrod, but i'm thinking it may be larsen and bushrod on opening day.

 

[uk_dolfan]

Center has to be considered a issue also

And backup c

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Would it be a mistake to think we could live with that if stout on initial run blocking and pass pro?

That would mean no one is blocking the LBs so it's a must. It's one of the reasons Asiata fell as far as he did b/c he is not a good zone blocker which is something everyone runs in the NFL in some way shape or form. A

 

[Avalanche of Wins]

That would mean no one is blocking the LBs so it's a must. It's one of the reasons Asiata fell as far as he did b/c he is not a good zone blocker which is something everyone runs in the NFL in some way shape or form. A

I feel like most of our production came off zone runs, im sure that is probably an exaggeration on my part but if that is a hole in this kids game that is really disappointing to me.

 

[nick1]

That would mean no one is blocking the LBs so it's a must. It's one of the reasons Asiata fell as far as he did b/c he is not a good zone blocker which is something everyone runs in the NFL in some way shape or form. A

I Thought Asiata excelled as a run blocker

 

[Digital]

It's too early to tell yet, but in the end I think it will end up being Asiata and Bushrod starting. While I'm not high on Bushrod's run blocking, I am impressed with his dependability. He played hurt all season as our OL were dropping like flies. Gase knows he can depend on Bushrod to show up and protect Tannehill, which is why he had him paid to come back.

Larsen has some physical ability, but despite his veteran status, he still has some holes in his game. He has a strong anchor against bull rushes in pass protection, and quick feet, but he doesn't generate push consistently in the run game. He also has difficulty locating and striking his target when in space. While Asiata is a people mover, he also isn't the best at locating and striking his target in space. Luckily, the Dolphins have Pouncey, who if healthy, is extremely good at locating and striking his target in space ... and has the speed to get there. In fact, I'd say that's Mike Pouncey's greatest strength.

Having those same drawbacks in space is part of the reason I doubt we'll see both Asiata and Larsen start. Bushrod is a little different player, and obviously Gase likes what he offers--stability in pass protection and dependability over the course of the season. So, I'm guessing that leaves one spot, LG, for Asiata and Larsen to battle it out. Then Urbik and Larsen look to be our interior subs with the rookie Smith having a real shot to make the roster ... but probably at the expense of Anthony Steen.

Mind you, it's early, there are no pads yet, and the two rookies need time to learn, practice and reps to show what they can do. This is a process, and I doubt anything is set until the 3rd pre-season game ... so look for a lot of positional shuffling and coachspeak dis-information until then.

 

[DKphin]

It's too early to tell yet, but in the end I think it will end up being Asiata and Bushrod starting. While I'm not high on Bushrod's run blocking, I am impressed with his dependability. He played hurt all season as our OL were dropping like flies. Gase knows he can depend on Bushrod to show up and protect Tannehill, which is why he had him paid to come back.

Larsen has some physical ability, but despite his veteran status, he still has some holes in his game. He has a strong anchor against bull rushes in pass protection, and quick feet, but he doesn't generate push consistently in the run game. He also has difficulty locating and striking his target when in space. While Asiata is a people mover, he also isn't the best at locating and striking his target in space. Luckily, the Dolphins have Pouncey, who if healthy, is extremely good at locating and striking his target in space ... and has the speed to get there. In fact, I'd say that's Mike Pouncey's greatest strength.

Having those same drawbacks in space is part of the reason I doubt we'll see both Asiata and Larsen start. Bushrod is a little different player, and obviously Gase likes what he offers--stability in pass protection and dependability over the course of the season. So, I'm guessing that leaves one spot, LG, for Asiata and Larsen to battle it out. Then Urbik and Larsen look to be our interior subs with the rookie Smith having a real shot to make the roster ... but probably at the expense of Anthony Steen.

Mind you, it's early, there are no pads yet, and the two rookies need time to learn, practice and reps to show what they can do. This is a process, and I doubt anything is set until the 3rd pre-season game ... so look for a lot of positional shuffling and coachspeak dis-information until then.

You lost me. Who is Smith? Do you mean Eric Smith? Isn't he an OT?

 

[Digital]

You lost me. Who is Smith? Do you mean Eric Smith? Isn't he an OT?

Yes, I mean Eric Smith. But like most OL that come into the NFL, he played OT at the collegiate level. I suspect he will be a G/T if he makes our roster, with his primary being a guard and with some positional flexibility to play RT in a pinch. He does not have LT feet, and he is not likely to be a primary backup at RT. He is being looked at primarily as a guard I think.

Usually, the best OL on a college team will be placed at OT, especially if he is long and quick. Those that aren't quite as quick as a teammate are moved to RT most of the time. Then, if they do not have the requisite length, they are shifted inside to OG.

Typically the guys with enough physical ability (AKA size, length and foot quickness) are the guys who get a shot at the NFL. Most of them played OT for their college team, because of that same size, length and foot quickness. The best of those stay at OT in the pros. The rest are converted to OG/C or simply don't make the NFL. I see Eric Smith of the University of Virginia as a player vying for a roster spot at guard primarily.

 

[DKphin]

Yes, I mean Eric Smith. But like most OL that come into the NFL, he played OT at the collegiate level. I suspect he will be a G/T if he makes our roster, with his primary being a guard and with some positional flexibility to play RT in a pinch. He does not have LT feet, and he is not likely to be a primary backup at RT. He is being looked at primarily as a guard I think.

Usually, the best OL on a college team will be placed at OT, especially if he is long and quick. Those that aren't quite as quick as a teammate are moved to RT most of the time. Then, if they do not have the requisite length, they are shifted inside to OG.

Typically the guys with enough physical ability (AKA size, length and foot quickness) are the guys who get a shot at the NFL. Most of them played OT for their college team, because of that same size, length and foot quickness. The best of those stay at OT in the pros. The rest are converted to OG/C or simply don't make the NFL. I see Eric Smith of the University of Virginia as a player vying for a roster spot at guard primarily.

Can not remember where, but I read that he performed poorly in the Senior Bowl when they moved him to OG.

 

[Digital]

Can not remember where, but I read that he performed poorly in the Senior Bowl when they moved him to OG.

Yeah, many analysts this bowl season mentioned that the OL class overall looked poor, with a few notable exceptions who went in rounds 2 and 3. The DL class regularly got the best of them in most of the practices of the Senior Bowl and the rest of the post-season circuit. Smith was one of those that did not receive particularly good ratings then as well.

But, if you watch UVa games, he was pretty effective. He has some athletic ability and tenacity to him. Some might call him gritty. He has the makeup of some of those guys who overcome the odds to make it at OL in the NFL. Most of those guys end up playing guard. It would be nice to have TedSlimmJr. chime in here, because he is very high on the kid, and may be his most vocal supporter. As a fan of UVa football, I can tell you that I like what I saw and definitely think he has a shot to make the Dolphins.

 

[Fin Thirteen]

Steen could be the surprise package of the interior rotation. With a little more core strength, that kid has the leverage, feet and smarts to be a starter.