Nate Garner is Starting Material | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Nate Garner is Starting Material

FinAtic8480

FinAtic8480

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Yes, the Dolphins are diminished by injuries, but most NFL teams are this time of year. And unlike the situation on most limping teams, Miami's backups, young and old alike, are stepping up rather than falling back.

When left guard Justin Smiley missed the start against Tampa Bay, little-known Nate Garner played so well that he can now accurately be considered the team's sixth starting-caliber offensive lineman.
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http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/miami-dolphins/story/1347206.html

Look the kid has been real good and we are seeing something that was missing long running plays. Im not knocking Smiley I think he is one of out best if not the best lineman on this team, but Garner has looked spectacular. His big assett I think is his height, I love how him and Jake Long look side by side. You are talking about two guys over 6'5, they look like the twin towers out there. Garner has the potential to challenge Smiley the kid is real good, he has excellent size and if he proves he is not injury prone Smiley might just be out of the starting rotation.
 
We cant say Gardner sucks, the kid was drafted and Sparano said he was not in football shape. They need to shape him up & get him healthy. Gardner had shoulder surgery last year before he was drafted. The kid comes from a program that has some real good lineman, so will see.
 
I don't know if its a case of having mediocre starters or all world backups but there doesn't seem to be much dropoff between 1 and 3 throughout the roster. At times Nate Jones has looked like the best CB, Culver at safety, Torbor and Wake at their respective positions, and whoever is considered the backup guard and runningback at the moment.
 
He does look promising despite just being one game. Can't say enough about good depth at such an important unit in the OL.
 
Good, we need this. Smiley has gotten injured a lot throughout his career, and for Garner to step up would be great for us
 
RastaMan407 said:
The guy just played one game!!! Sheesh!!
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The guy has played two games and dominated. He is versatile, big & nasty. As for those two games Garner has started the offense has rushed for 353 yards 3 TD and has allowed 0 sacks. He has also filled at LG,C and RT.

Real players make the most of their oppurtunities and that applies to Sperry & Garner.
 
The best part is that we stole Garner from the Jets! They sure could have used him for when Faneca retires.
 
Ferretsquig said:
I don't know if its a case of having mediocre starters or all world backups but there doesn't seem to be much dropoff between 1 and 3 throughout the roster. At times Nate Jones has looked like the best CB, Culver at safety, Torbor and Wake at their respective positions, and whoever is considered the backup guard and runningback at the moment.
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I would say that is a good sign since our team is winning. Depth is critical to developing a championship caliber team. I can remember not long ago the fear of one of our starters going down and relying on a guy like Eddie Moore to replace ZT...scary.
 
Ferretsquig said:
I don't know if its a case of having mediocre starters or all world backups but there doesn't seem to be much dropoff between 1 and 3 throughout the roster. At times Nate Jones has looked like the best CB, Culver at safety, Torbor and Wake at their respective positions, and whoever is considered the backup guard and runningback at the moment.
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I think its atleast a sign the orginization has an eye for guys who know how to play. Only a matter of time before they land the 2 or 3 key playmakers that turn the team from average to dominant.
 
The Dolphins are becoming the pochers of the NFL. Nate Garner, Joey Haynos & Kory Sperry have all made important contributions this season. We still have to see what guys like Lydon Murtha and Kory Sperry bring. They picked up Lousaka Polite & Tyrone Culver & Eric Walden all have become key contributors. Just look at Polite & the Pro Bowl year he is having.
 
FinAtic8480 said:
We cant say Gardner sucks, the kid was drafted and Sparano said he was not in football shape. They need to shape him up & get him healthy. Gardner had shoulder surgery last year before he was drafted. The kid comes from a program that has some real good lineman, so will see.
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I agree. Far to early to say Gardner sucks. Remember when Garner was a rookie, he was inactive for all 16 games, same as Gardner to this point. Did the same experts here who claim now that Gardner sucks also think a year ago that Garner sucked?
 
I hope they trade Smiley. I like the way he plays but he was a high priced free agent and if we can replace him I'd like to see him and 2.2 million dollar backup Charlie Anderson get traded for high 3rd rounder.
 
Ferretsquig said:
I don't know if its a case of having mediocre starters or all world backups but there doesn't seem to be much dropoff between 1 and 3 throughout the roster. At times Nate Jones has looked like the best CB, Culver at safety, Torbor and Wake at their respective positions, and whoever is considered the backup guard and runningback at the moment.
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Good point. Personally I believe its because of the rotation. A lot of these back up guys are seeing game time no matter the situation, whereas a lot of teams out there play their starters through the game and only in blow outs will back ups see some game time. So when our guys go in, its not completely new.

Case in point, Smith and Davis splitting 60/40 the reps at the CB opposite Will Allen, meant there was a comfort factor when he had to go in full time. Torbor was in getting reps before any injuries and Garner was splitting time earlier in the season with Donald Thomas.

Its a good way to do it and its showing dividends with a good number of players.

I do think if Grove is out this weekend that Berger will do a good job and just further strengthen our front 5 by having 7 OL that can do the job with not very noticeable drop off.

Im also hoping that we see more of Hilliard, we have to know what he can do. Same goes with Turner, either 2 draft picks are used on WR next year or 1, we wont know the answer to that until he sees game time.
 
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