Oline calls, is McKinney more of a problem than we think?? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Oline calls, is McKinney more of a problem than we think??

Ohiophinphan

Ohiophinphan

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Long time readers of this site will remember the discussions during the off season regarding McKinney's problems at center. Physically he does his job but did not/could not replace Tim Ruddy last year because he was slow to learn and/or make the Oline calls. Now the articles this week talk about the problems the line is having and focus on the communications problems and timing of the line calls.

My point for discussion is this, should McKinney be moved and/or replaced? Is he the weak link in the chain even more than Smith?

I don't have a problem with what I have seen of his center play per se, but what I have been assuming were coaching flaws in formations and adjustments may well be lack of communication as well by the man required to make the line calls, that is center McKinney?????
 
I have been saying since day one getting rid of Ruddy was stupid. At the very least he could be a solid backup but I still thing he is better to star at C then anyone else we have.
 
I haven't been around much in the last two weeks.. What's our Oline look like right now? What are the names?
 
MiamiFan1354 said:
I haven't been around much in the last two weeks.. What's our Oline look like right now? What are the names?
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:lol: :lol:


Anyway, as for Seth...errr...don't blame his problems on the ineptitude of Wade Smith and St. Claire to give him the proper signals.
 
McKinney was definitely struggling with OL calls last year and was the main reason he could never take over as starting center while Ruddy was here. Ruddy had the brains just not the brawn. McKinney is the opposite.

Keep in mind though that the center is not the only one responsible to make calls. The tackles are also part of that communication to identify outside rushers. They have to communicate as a unit and be confident on who they are assigned to before the ball is hiked. That was a huge part of the problem against Cincy. Most of them didn't know who they were supposed to take on. I think they need to get to the line with at least 10 - 15 seconds left before the play clock expires to indentify clearly among themselves who has who and where they expect the blitz to come from.

Of course, another part of that is keeping someone back to help (ie. TE, RB) or both QB/WR,TE,RB be crisp on your hot reads. A hot read should be fast enough to deter "any" type of blitz as long as both of them are on the same page.
 
Ohiophinphan said:
Long time readers of this site will remember the discussions during the off season regarding McKinney's problems at center. Physically he does his job but did not/could not replace Tim Ruddy last year because he was slow to learn and/or make the Oline calls. Now the articles this week talk about the problems the line is having and focus on the communications problems and timing of the line calls.

My point for discussion is this, should McKinney be moved and/or replaced? Is he the weak link in the chain even more than Smith?

I don't have a problem with what I have seen of his center play per se, but what I have been assuming were coaching flaws in formations and adjustments may well be lack of communication as well by the man required to make the line calls, that is center McKinney?????
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He is a "slow learner" seems to be a phrase that has been repeated often in regards to new players.

Is the playbook that complicated?.I dont think so.Maybe some attention should be paid to a players IQ before choosing or trading for him.The Pats place emphasis in that aspect and it seems to work for them.
 
Ohiophinphan said:
Long time readers of this site will remember the discussions during the off season regarding McKinney's problems at center. Physically he does his job but did not/could not replace Tim Ruddy last year because he was slow to learn and/or make the Oline calls. Now the articles this week talk about the problems the line is having and focus on the communications problems and timing of the line calls.

My point for discussion is this, should McKinney be moved and/or replaced? Is he the weak link in the chain even more than Smith?

I don't have a problem with what I have seen of his center play per se, but what I have been assuming were coaching flaws in formations and adjustments may well be lack of communication as well by the man required to make the line calls, that is center McKinney?????
Click to expand...

The article I read said it was only last week calls were missed and blamed that on the loud stadium due to unheard calls. I haven't heard McKinney's name mentioned so I'm not sure if you are stretching for something here.
 
Isn't Ruddy still a FA. Why not sign him for cheap and move McKinney to guard?
 
Apparently "zone blocking" is difficult and requires some smarts. Yet we hired a low wonderlick score with our first round draft pick.
 
gripwhip said:
Isn't Ruddy still a FA. Why not sign him for cheap and move McKinney to guard?
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We'll be going backwards...Even if we bring Ruddy back, he's finished...He's got nothing left in the tank...I remember he when he was pro-bowling...:rolleyes:
 
I tell ya what -- if this IS happening, we should've signed Jerry Fontenot when he was released by the Saints. He was starting for Cincinnati the other night. The guy is old, but he ain't gonna mess up any line calls.
 
from a person who has a graduate degree related to psychology I'll tell you that Wonderlic test for people that age, is about as useful as drafting players defiantly because of their 40 time.
 
Seth will be replaced next year, if he doesn't prove he can read the defense. He has all the potential in the world, but his lack of reading the defense will be his downfall. The center is the bread and butter of the OL and without a center with brains to communicate the blocking assignments to the other OL, our line will continue to look like the worst in the NFL.
 
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