PFW LJ Shelton interview | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

PFW LJ Shelton interview

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jim1

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After spending the first seven-plus years of his NFL career at left tackle, L.J. Shelton was approached by Dolphins head coach Nick Saban about moving to right guard. … In the middle of the season, no less.
To Shelton’s credit, the veteran quickly agreed to do whatever was best for the team and made the move prior to the Dolphins’ Week Six game against the Jets.
It’s no coincidence that Miami’s improved O-line play has come since the move. And with a more solid offensive line, the offense has been much more efficient and turned the ball over less often, leading to improved production and allowing the defense to make plays and win games.
Shelton recently talked with PFW about the switch from tackle to guard, the improvement of the Dolphins’ line, his impressions of teammates ORT Vernon Carey and C Rex Hadnot, and whether Ronnie Brown can be a workhorse back in the NFL.

PFW: How did your move from left tackle to right guard prior to Week Six come about? Were you involved in the thinking behind that?

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/Miami/Features/2006/holbrook112206.htm
 
It's good to know that he is doing whatever it takes to get the job done. Personally, I didn't think he was doing that good at tackle but has done an outstanding job at guard. Hopefully he will want to stay there and help solidify the line for next year.
 
Good read, interesting comments about Ronnie, don't know how much merit they have coming from Shelton but the fact that they are gelling is a good thing. I like Shelton at RG I wonder what happens next year though with regards to his contract, because I can't see him being moved back to LT, how does his salary compare to other RG's in the league?
 
Good read. I'm sure Saban wasn't pleased with Shelton's performance at LT even though he didn't tell that to LJ. He was just horrible as LT. But it's good to see him find success at RG and I hope he can continue success at that position. Nice to see him giving props to Carey, that guy's going to be a beast in this league.
 
jim1 said:
After spending the first seven-plus years of his NFL career at left tackle, L.J. Shelton was approached by Dolphins head coach Nick Saban about moving to right guard. … In the middle of the season, no less.
To Shelton’s credit, the veteran quickly agreed to do whatever was best for the team and made the move prior to the Dolphins’ Week Six game against the Jets.
It’s no coincidence that Miami’s improved O-line play has come since the move. And with a more solid offensive line, the offense has been much more efficient and turned the ball over less often, leading to improved production and allowing the defense to make plays and win games.
Shelton recently talked with PFW about the switch from tackle to guard, the improvement of the Dolphins’ line, his impressions of teammates ORT Vernon Carey and C Rex Hadnot, and whether Ronnie Brown can be a workhorse back in the NFL.

PFW: How did your move from left tackle to right guard prior to Week Six come about? Were you involved in the thinking behind that?

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/Miami/Features/2006/holbrook112206.htm
Click to expand...

Good read, thanks.
 
Shelton has definitely found a new home... I also liked the statements about Ronnie and how the line is communicating with him about his first lead foot and angle on a particular play call. It does give them food for thought as far as reaction by the "D" line and backs and what to expect from their blind side...

Again, it is continuity...
 
What LJ Might Be Thinking

Sometimes I imagine what a player would say if they could REALLY tell the media what was on their mind. For example... here's how I could picture the LJ Shelton interview going if we could read his mind...

PFW: How did your move from left tackle to right guard prior to Week Six come about? Were you involved in the thinking behind that?
Did you not see the games, man? Our right guards were crap. They were turnstiles. I never wanted to play guard, but the coaches told me to and I had to agree or look like an *******. You ever say no to YOUR boss and keep your job? Dumb*** question.


PFW: Are you meaner playing inside?
Sure, why not. Where do you get these stupid questions???

PFW: Are you utilizing different skills inside?
Well, as a tackle I perfected the Matador move, where I turn aside and let the DE breeze around me as I yell "Ole!", but now, at guard I have to work on my backpedal. The Matador doesn;t work at guard because the center and tackle beside me keep picking up the defender when I let him go by, so now I just backpedal until the defender clears the line and then let him bullrush me back into Ronnie or Joey's, whoever's back there, into their face. It's a slightly different technique.

PFW: What makes Coach Houck such a good O-line coach? What does he do differently from other coaches you’ve had in the past?
Coach is crazy. He gives us tips, like, "Here's how we'd get a man down at Gettysburg" or he'll inspire us with a story about his march through Valley Forge. Sometimes though, man, he tells us stories about how him and Mae West were an item, and that if we block good, he'll take us to the local bordello to 'dock our ship in port' and get 'our decks swabbed'. I don't think Coach Hud was ever in the navy, so we think maybe he's a bit crazy, you know? He's cool though.

PFW: Is this a place where you feel like you’re finding a home at and would be willing to play long-term?
Just show me the money and I'll play anywhere you want. Seriously though, you think I'm in super high demand at this point in the season? Like other teams' GM's are pounding on the gates beggin' to trade for me? Man, I want some of what you've been smokin'.

PFW: I know you dug yourselves a hole with the slow start, but what do you and the other players hope to accomplish the rest of the season?
Let's see, we can either try to win our upcoming games, or not try to win them, so what do you think I'd prefer? Next dumb question please.

PFW: What’s your assessment of the two young guys you’re playing between — ORT Vernon Carey and C Rex Hadnot?
They're young, have a future and haven't been labelled as busts who are with their third team.



PFW: How do you keep the consistency going after making changes in midseason?
You mean how could we stay consistent with the crappy play of the first half of the season? Oh, we wouldn't have wanted to mess up the fine-tuned machine our struggling line had become by week 7, so changes were a huge risk at that point. Man, we HAD to make changes so we WOULDN'T stay consistent with our crappy performance up 'til the midpoint of the season, that's the whole point. Are you with Howard Stern or are you for real?


PFW: Does Ronnie Brown have what it takes to be a workhorse back in this league?
Well, if he can learn to run through solid objects like the backs of offensive linemen and shoulder-to-shoulder D-linemen, or if he learns to fly I think he'll be fine. Our O-line is so watertight that there isn't even the tiniest hole for Ronnie. We take pride in that.


PFW: Tell me about the relationship between a back and the line and trusting what each is going to do?
It's important for Ronnie to know what to expect. Like, Ronnie needs to understand that contact is coming in the backfield on every play, so he can cover up and protect the ball. That prevents fumbles. Also, if ronnie actually expects a hole, he might try to run through it, so we make sure Ronnie has nowehere to run so he can showcase his full repertoire of jukes and moves in the backfield. Nothing sharpens your skills as a running back better.
 
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