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profootballtalk - Miami lineman getting restless

lazareth

lazareth

get your chief on...
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From today's roumormill:

MIAMI LINEMAN GETTING RESTLESS
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A league source tells us that several of the offensive linemen in Miami are becoming frustrated with criticism being thrown their way by coach Nick Saban for the overall performance of the offense.
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Per the source, the thinking among some of the guys in the trenches is that public comments questioning their ability are unfair, given that they are learning a new system and there has been little continuity thus far, with regular tinkering of the lineup in practice and in games.
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For the Hall of Fame game 15 days ago, the Dolphins went with a starting lineup of Vernon Carey at left tackle, Jeno James at left guard, Rex Hadnot at center, John St. Clair at right guard, and Stockar McDougle at right tackle.
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Five days later, against the Jaguars, Hadnot was moved to right guard and Seth McKinney to center. Though the same starting lineup was used during the third preseason game at Pittsburgh, Saban will put Damoin McIntosh at left tackle, move Carey to right tackle, and send Stockar McDougle to the bench.
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Saban contends that the offensive linemen aren't "buying in" to the blocking system being implemented by position coach Hudson Houck.
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"We are working with them. It is a work in progress,'' Saban said on Monday. "They've made progress at times and showed improvement at times. We played against a good front last week, and we didn't step up to the challenge like we need to and we need to do it.
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"It isn't OK to say, 'It's OK,' because it isn't OK. So anybody who says, 'It's OK,' it isn't OK. That's the first thing. Admit if you are not getting it done and then go do what you have to do to get it done, and that's what we need to do. . . .
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"You put your hand in the dirt, you got a guy sitting right there, you have to block him. You don't block him, what does it make any difference whether you are playing right guard, right tackle, left guard or left tackle? You have to move the guy."
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And we're told that the criticism of the line is spawning frustration with the quarterbacks. The thinking is that, if the team had an established NFL starter, the play of the O-line wouldn't be perceived as so substandard.
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Saban's response to such concerns likely would/will be to tell the offensive linemen to worry about doing their own jobs. And he may be right on the money. But the reality is that there's a problem along the offensive line right now in Miami -- and there ain't much time to fix it before the games start to count.
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Are they really doing that poorly though? I haven been able to follow the past 2 games. I thought they were doing much better...I guess not though. I think we will struggle early but by the end of the year, they will become a solid line. I really enjoyed watching D-Macs PC today. I like that guy and hopefully he can contribute. He said something about bein injured last year so maybe thats why he played so bad last year. Lets hope everything works out
 
There has to be continuity for a OL to gell.I agree that that Saban should have kept any criticism in house but then it may be that his statement was misinterpreted or taken out of context by the press.
 
This reminds me of a JJ move by Saban.....now let's see what we have, if they do they job's then the blame has to shift...right?? Let's see.
 
Saban seems to be trying to light a fire under their butts by going through the media. He is embarrasing them to get them going.


I hope it works!!
 
If they did their jobs well their would be any criticisims.

As a unit, they still suck big time. There is a lot of room for improvement.

BTW, I think the article is a POS.
 
Too me, Saban's comments were truthful, and yet tactful. He called them out, but it's not like he kicked them in the nuts. Maybe Wright can loan them his hanky.

Steve
 
If it is indeed getting under their skin then that is good, thats the point guys. Saban is trying to get under their skin trying to make them mad. Personally our line looks 10x better than it did last year. At least so far they have had a couple pretty good series's that they did well in protection. I think getting Middleton into the middle may help open up the running game. Its stupid for anybody to think that if something isnt working they are just going to stick with it, they are going to change stuff around and try to find something that works.

Hopefully they get things figured out for these last 2 preseason games and leave them alone.
 
Lets try to support our O-Line before we crucify them. Give them a chance in the season not pre-season. Alot of opinions around here are gonna change when we start winning. I for one will be right there criticizing players once I have seen them play in 4 or 5 games and they are not doing well but for now lets support our team and try to bring in the players we might need or be able to work with. Peace Love & Soul
 
Just keep in mind the "article" IS from Profootballtalk not "the press" ;) and i don't know who the "league source" is. I posted that merely as FYI for all who, like me, are curious about what people say about the 'phins, valid or not.
 
If this is true than whomever the lineman are that cant take the criticism must GO. Its all about mental toughness. In the Army if you screw up in basic you get chewed out. " YOUR ALL JACKED UP" They dont baby you and say nice try you can do it next time. These men are professionals and such criticism should motivate these players. If they want to leave because they have the poor me's than by all means go play elsewhere because we dont need you.
 
DaMiAmIDoLpHiNz said:
Are they really doing that poorly though? I haven been able to follow the past 2 games. I thought they were doing much better...I guess not though. I think we will struggle early but by the end of the year, they will become a solid line. I really enjoyed watching D-Macs PC today. I like that guy and hopefully he can contribute. He said something about bein injured last year so maybe thats why he played so bad last year. Lets hope everything works out
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Unfortunately I haven't been able to see but one game, but from what I've studied from my trustworthy Finheaven posters, the OL has been steadily improving, and looking strong at times. However, the one thing I noticed over and over was that McDougle was, for whatever reason, struggling to hold his own week in and week out. And that is why I feel a bit of satisfaction following these changes. Not b/c I don't like McDougle, but b/c it certainly appeared that McD was struggling for several weeks...and low and behold, he got the boot by Saban. Why the excitement? Because Saban is showing he isn't afraid to call them out, embarass them, whatever he has to do to get them to perform. No freakin excuses. Yes, he may piss some players off. But I'm here to tell you all, the only players he'll tick off are the ones with weak minds. Players, and all people for that matter, who have pride in themselves, their team, and a strong desire to be the best at what they do take such comments to heart and do something about it. They can't sleep at night until they prove him otherwise. Their lone goal in life becomes proving themselves.

So I say let'em have it. No pitty. No condolences. JUST DO IT!
 
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