Pouncey open to playing Guard

[Dolfan5000]

Pouncey's head bob was definitely a tell but I'm pretty sure no hard counts and "go" go go" was the bigger contributor to the lack of offsides being drawn.

In Buffalo last year they went silent count and Buffalo always had a jump on the snap. Can't doubt it was a glaring problem. Looking back at some plays later in the season it seemed he stopped doing it on most plays.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

Pouncey's head bob was definitely a tell but I'm pretty sure no hard counts and "go" go go" was the bigger contributor to the lack of offsides being drawn.

Doesn't explain the discrepancy with Nate Garner last season.

 

[TheWalrus]

I've always preferred Pouncey at G. To me he is a natural LG who looks like he would do a very good job at RG too. And anything that keeps Dallas Thomas off the field is a good thing.

I'm shocked but very pleased to hear they are considering Pouncey at G. I really hope it happens.

Down the road we can continue to develop Smith and Turner at OG and when they are ready shift Pouncey to C and replace Colledge. This looks like the best path for this OL.

Also, while we are entertaining putting OL in their best slots, I'd prefer to see Ju'Waun James move over to LT when Albert retires or gets injured. James isn't much of a run blocker, but solid pass protection is enough for a LT these days.

There's really no difference between a LG and a RG in a zone system, especially in run blocking. In a power scheme you need an athletic pulling guard (usually the LG because of the right handedness of most offenses), but the inside/outside zone doesn't really work that way. Which isn't to say everyone can easily switch from LG to RG... but it really boils down more about the comfort level when it comes to the techniques of pass blocking than anything.

Anyway, I've always been open to Pouncey moving back to guard. I pushed to sign a center in the offseason for that reason. But while might be better to have Satele in the lineup than Dallas Thomas this week -- Pouncey at G rather than C -- for this season overall I'd rather have Shelley Smith in the lineup than Satele. And since Smith is exclusively a G -- as TC showed -- that means Pouncey should go back to center.

 

[Hayden Fox]

I am impressed with Pouncey simply wanting to help the team. I think he should be the C, but at the same time the five best could be by keeping Satele at the pivot.

 

[BlueFin]

Satele has played pretty good....I think Pouncey will be playing guard this year.

 

[iambanned]

Don't you want the better athlete at G? Also, I've read that that Pouncey's mechanics with the snap itself are questionable and may even be not as good as Satele in that specific regard.

However, in Miami's 2 losses, Satele's play seemed more 'meh' than 'yeah'. However, he got a bit nicked up vs KC, if I'm not mistaken.

I'm worried that the win vs Oakland was just too easy and everyone's smoking the Dolphins wacky tobaccy right now. It's hard to really tell how good we really are. I think our defense a pretty good step up from the Bears, especially our secondary and pass rush.

Both our offense and Green Bay's will meet tougher challenges this week. RT17 will really have to ball this week and I think he can certainly do better than Cutler did. If we can push some read-option stuff early vs GB and get their heads spinning than we can kill them later on with RT's dart-throwing capability.
For as much as RT gets branded as 'inaccurate' cuz his deep ball his suspect, the man fires lightning like a Sith Lord on intermediate routes. I mean, if you need a 15-yard out on time and on target, then #17 is your guy and I don't mean Rivers.

I hope RT watched Russel Wilson tonight, cuz he can do that, too, cuz the element of surprise is more in his favor. He just has to stay decisive. Even Marino would often make the wrong read, but he'd just stick it in there before the defender could react and RT shows me that will and competitive nature. It's up to our receivers to catch some balls in traffic like the Marks Bros so often did.
I want RT bold and ****y. The speed of the game in 2014 means you're gonna make mistakes but, like I said, attitude and desire can turn some frowns upside down. He's gonna stick some balls in there like Danny used to. You'll wince until you see our receiver catch it and keep going. RT got challenged and he threw down. He lead his team. That's our solution as a franchise. That's the diff between 8-8 and 10-6 and our ability to win playoff games.

So, we'll see if this continues. RT will lead or we will fail. It's that simple.

 

[phinatic0083]

He is right he is a natural guard. He was better suited for guard when he was drafted but he did just fine at center.

Lol just "fine" the guys one of the best in the league at center! I'm just pulling your chain but it sure it's nice to have a versatile lineman such as pouncey on our team

 

[CharlieTheTuna]

At UF he played guard until Maurkice left for the pros. He actually struggled with bad snaps when he first switched over to center. He's obviously been good at Center for us, but that could just be because he's a good lineman in general. The idea that this line could be even better with him at guard doesn't seem ridiculous to me.

 

[buxster07]

Lol....so many people bitched and **** on others for even considering the move to guard. Even Pouncey says he's a more natural guard, which I agree with, think he's a better fit there. We HAVE to get Dallas Thomas off the field. Just try to think outside the box...this isn't some outlandish projection.

Yes trolls tried to get me on suggesting Pouncey to guard too. Wannabe flametards. Go 5 strong.

 

[maralieus]

The question is has he been studying and practicing our offense as guard?

 

[ROADRUNNER]

I'm a fan of the best 5 approach. Love the idea of having 4 experienced battle tested lineman and one rookie. We'll see what happens.

And the rookie is playing well..........

 

[FSU Truth]

I am very happy to hear that Pouncey is open (and may even prefer) playing guard. As an offensive lineman he is an elite athlete....excellent lateral movement and could benefit even more from a move to guard.

If you add that on to a line that is already playing well with the exception of the position he could be playing, then you could have the makings of a very good offensive line...

 

[spiketex]

I never understood why Sparano, especially being a a former offensive line coach, moved him to an unnatural position of center. (Although he played there, albeit horribly, at UF his senior year)

I will trust whatever Benton and Lazor decide what they think is best for our current offensive line situation, but I would have to imagine that would mean putting our 5 best guys on the o-line unit which IMO is upgrading the RG position with Pouncey.

He was moved because:
(a) We needed a decent Center
(b) His identical twin brother had just completed his rookie season as a star Center
(c) Mike Pouncey had replaced his brother Maurkice as the Gators Center for his final season (and he played well).

 

[roy_miami]

1. It'll probably take longer for the offense to get up to speed with Pouncey at center vs Pouncey at guard right?

2. Maybe Pouncey doesn't like the extra responsibilities of playing center and would rather just concentrate on flattening the defender. They say centers make more, and they probably should make more, but there is a reason they make more, because you have to have the mind for it. Even just playing guard Pouncey won't be poor, and he might not even make any less with his proven ability to be able to play center at a high level if needed.

 

[BlueFin]

The only real debate is whether the O-line is better with Pouncey at Center and Satele to the bench..........?

or......if we are better leaving Satele at center and having Pouncey replace the worst guard?

I would argue for the latter....as the line has run blocked well...and the guard play has been the biggest issue in pass protect.

Inserting Pouncey at guard should improve all faucets of the line.