Not surprising, Donald Thomas named starting RG | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Not surprising, Donald Thomas named starting RG

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You can probably chalk this in the "No duh!" category, but Donald Thomas has been named the starting right guard for the season.

As for that offensive line, Sparano confirmed that barring anything drastic, the starting five is now set with Donald Thomas at right guard alongside right tackle Vernon Carey, center Jake Grove, left guard Justin Smiley and left tackle Jake Long
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http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/news/top_story.asp?contentID=6613
 
I know we are continuing to look for upgrades in depth at the Oline. I would not count on Smiley, Thomas, and Grove making it through the season. Murphy is just ok. Is Joe Berger lining up next to Murphy going to give us the OL that we need? I am thinking not so much. Also, if something happens to one of the OT, we are in trouble. Hopefully, we can stay healthy, continue to coach these lesser guys up, and maybe if we are lucky, pick someone off the waiver wire next Saturday.
 
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Thomas gives me some hope that, with commitment, we'll be able to effectively run block this year without resorting to weird formations.
 
GeauxFinns3705 said:
I know we are continuing to look for upgrades in depth at the Oline. I would not count on Smiley, Thomas, and Grove making it through the season. Murphy is just ok. Is Joe Berger lining up next to Murphy going to give us the OL that we need? I am thinking not so much. Also, if something happens to one of the OT, we are in trouble. Hopefully, we can stay healthy, continue to coach these lesser guys up, and maybe if we are lucky, pick someone off the waiver wire next Saturday.
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I think at least one of those guys goes down with some kind of injury as well, but I think we have decent enough OL depth to help manage any injuries. Murphy is not the mauler Thomas is, but the guy showed a vast improvement of his play from last year.

Don't be suprised to see more OL additions through the season. We are very thin with OT depth and IF either Carey (especially Carey) or Long go down, then our run game will suffer a lot.
 
DT could turn out to be our best offensive lineman when all is said and done.
 
Sirspud said:
Thomas gives me some hope that, with commitment, we'll be able to effectively run block this year without resorting to weird formations.
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We will resort to the Wildcat. It has become a staple of our offense and team. Plus, it keeps opposing teams off balance and adds an element that they have to account for, but I think you are right. Thomas' presence should give us a much more effective base formation running game.
 
ciscoholgate said:
We will resort to the Wildcat. It has become a staple of our offense and team. Plus, it keeps opposing teams off balance and adds an element that they have to account for, but I think you are right. Thomas' presence should give us a much more effective base formation running game.
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You're talking about using the wildcat for deceptive purposes, to confuse the defense, etc. I like that a lot. But a lot of people (analysts and the coaching staff) were talking about the wildcat as a power running formation, not just something in for a few cheap plays. I'd love to see us continue to do power running and trick plays out of it. We've changed the perception of trick plays at the NFL level and brought innovation into what is actually a very conservative league.

I just meant that it would be nice if we could line up and run the ball effectively without having to use non-conventional methods.
 
Hopefully they can teach Murphy to play center in case of Jake Grove get's hurt. Murphy would make himself more valuable to the team by not having to carry a back-up center.
 
Good to hear. DT could be a pro bowler before long, lots of potential. I'm even happier that Murphy was able to give him a run for his money for a little bit because we could really use the O-Line depth he brings.
 
Pompy said:
Hopefully they can teach Murphy to play center in case of Jake Grove get's hurt. Murphy would make himself more valuable to the team by not having to carry a back-up center.
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Berger plays both Guard and Center as well.
 
I really hope this O-line will dominate this year but I still would have loved to have signed Brown at Center instead of Groves but there's no changing that now.
 
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