"The Concern Remains The Same...." | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

"The Concern Remains The Same...."

BLITZKRIEG

BLITZKRIEG

~LACUNA LEGIONS~
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The Offensive Line - I'm very concerned here. Right now I see Long / Carey as our only true stronghold's up front, and with the loss of Satele{assuming we traded him to Oakland}, we're losing an above average player that's healthy / proven, and someone we could have likely found a spot for...

The addition of new C Jake Grove almost feels like a downgrade when looking at his past injury history. I was surprised when we gave him starter money considering how unreliable he is a as a player / starter. I'm not feeling very confident in his chances of improving our running game at this time. Right now, I'm just hoping he makes through camp without serious injury. Returning hopeful's like Smiley / Thomas haven't even proven they can stay healthy either....

The bottom line is that I'm worried about it. Our OL has one incredibly tough challenge ahead of them this year. They'll be facing some of the best defenses around, and when compared to the teams we faced in 2008, this year feels like we're walking blind into the depth's of the dragon's lair...

We couldn't run the football inside at all in 2008, and if that continues in 2009, don't expect another 11-5 / Division Championship season. The wildcat is running out of gas in Miami, and you can't rely on it when it comes to playing power football. We need to prove that we can play power football, and we need to prove we can control the LOS when we need to. Using the wildcat needs to be strictly reserved for certain situations only, SAFE situations....

I'm also concerned with the state of the DL, but I wont get into that right now. It's really the OL that I'm feeling the most concern over at this time. It needs a lot of work in my opinion...

IN TUNA WE TRUST....
 
I expect 2 linemen to be drafted this year.
Smiley is back which is a HUGE improvement over Ndukwe.

Also, i expect many ppl on this board to regret slagging Jake Grove off so much. I bet he has a great season. Keep in mind, he played for the Raiders who are the poorest coached team in football.
 
I think you will see us draft one of those very promising centers within the first three of our picks, unless they can package a deal to move up for Raji. That will help to cement the center of the OL witch seemed like the problem last year.
 
The OL has had the most attention last year and this year, I feel it's one of the bright spots on the whole team. A lot of holes have been plugged, Rookies like Long have a full year under their belt and that only helps. Plus the unit has played a full year together (Most of the unit). As far as injuries thats a year to year deal, sometimes the injury bug bites hard other times it does not, so thats a great unknown at this point. This team is being turned into a power running team with short passing game.
Remember also that we are only in year 2 of a 4 year building project, still changes to be made but I feel this is one area where things are looking up!!
 
I also think Grove might be a different player once he goes through our offseason conditioning program. Hopefully much more durable.
 
We are in the position where we have to draft a Center now. I see Unger or Caldwell in the 2nd or 3rd.
 
Slim said:
Also, i expect many ppl on this board to regret slagging Jake Grove off so much.
Click to expand...

As far as I'm concerned, Grove hasn't earned the fan's confidence just yet. We all know he has issues with staying healthy. That's not slagging Grove off, that's just calling a spade a spade...

If Grove proves he's going to stay healthy, and we see a significant difference between him and Satele, I'll then express my comfort in him starting at C. Right now however, it's difficult to not be nervous....

I bet he has a great season. Keep in mind, he played for the Raiders who are the poorest coached team in football.
Click to expand...

I hope you're right about that. I think the C position is ONE, if not THE most important position on the entire OL. Having someone who is strong, smart, and healthy is imperative to having offensive success....

IN TUNA WE TRUST....
 
I'm not that concerned yet ... we still have the draft, trades possibilities and June 1st cuts before this OL really takes shape for the coming season. If you take out the the unpredictable injury element, we're looking pretty solid with Long, Smiley, Grove, Thomas & Carey ... so we'll see what happens. In any case, I'm sure we're not done tweaking the roster.
 
BLITZKRIEG said:
The Offensive Line - I'm very concerned here. Right now I see Long / Carey as our only true stronghold's up front, and with the loss of Satele{assuming we traded him to Oakland}, we're losing an above average player that's healthy / proven, and someone we could have likely found a spot for...

The addition of new C Jake Grove almost feels like a downgrade when looking at his past injury history. I was surprised when we gave him starter money considering how unreliable he is a as a player / starter. I'm not feeling very confident in his chances of improving our running game at this time. Right now, I'm just hoping he makes through camp without serious injury. Returning hopeful's like Smiley / Thomas haven't even proven they can stay healthy either....

The bottom line is that I'm worried about it. Our OL has one incredibly tough challenge ahead of them this year. They'll be facing some of the best defenses around, and when compared to the teams we faced in 2008, this year feels like we're walking blind into the depth's of the dragon's lair...

We couldn't run the football inside at all in 2008, and if that continues in 2009, don't expect another 11-5 / Division Championship season. The wildcat is running out of gas in Miami, and you can't rely on it when it comes to playing power football. We need to prove that we can play power football, and we need to prove we can control the LOS when we need to. Using the wildcat needs to be strictly reserved for certain situations only, SAFE situations....

I'm also concerned with the state of the DL, but I wont get into that right now. It's really the OL that I'm feeling the most concern over at this time. It needs a lot of work in my opinion...

IN TUNA WE TRUST....
Click to expand...

Great post and I agree with anyone who says we'll be drafting at least one C or G or G/LT on the first day...

One of the top calibre C will drop to day 2 as well seeing that there are 5 Cs with an outstanding chance of doing soemthing good in their respective pro careers
 
I dont think there is such thing as a June 1st cut anymore. Atleast not like we were used to seeing in the past.
 
BLITZKRIEG said:
The Offensive Line - I'm very concerned here. Right now I see Long / Carey as our only true stronghold's up front, and with the loss of Satele{assuming we traded him to Oakland}, we're losing an above average player that's healthy / proven, and someone we could have likely found a spot for...

The addition of new C Jake Grove almost feels like a downgrade when looking at his past injury history. I was surprised when we gave him starter money considering how unreliable he is a as a player / starter. I'm not feeling very confident in his chances of improving our running game at this time. Right now, I'm just hoping he makes through camp without serious injury. Returning hopeful's like Smiley / Thomas haven't even proven they can stay healthy either....

The bottom line is that I'm worried about it. Our OL has one incredibly tough challenge ahead of them this year. They'll be facing some of the best defenses around, and when compared to the teams we faced in 2008, this year feels like we're walking blind into the depth's of the dragon's lair...

We couldn't run the football inside at all in 2008, and if that continues in 2009, don't expect another 11-5 / Division Championship season. The wildcat is running out of gas in Miami, and you can't rely on it when it comes to playing power football. We need to prove that we can play power football, and we need to prove we can control the LOS when we need to. Using the wildcat needs to be strictly reserved for certain situations only, SAFE situations....

I'm also concerned with the state of the DL, but I wont get into that right now. It's really the OL that I'm feeling the most concern over at this time. It needs a lot of work in my opinion...

IN TUNA WE TRUST....
Click to expand...

couldn't agree more. all 3 of those inside guys have injury issues and satele would have been a great back up for all 3. and now we're gonna need to spend extra draft picks on o linemen. oakland got hooked up.
 
You guys should have more faith in Parcells, seriously...This Jake Grove signing reminds me of the Marc Columbo signing.


I remember when he brought Columbo to Dallas, after being a high draft pick with the Bears and couldn't stay healthy for anything, but had the tools you look for to develop into a stud...Everyone was impatient at the time too but he's never missed a game with Dallas and is a top RT in the league.


Same situation with Grove, on the surface it doesn't look flashy, but some people don't understand what type of people Parcells and Sparano are if you think they will build a team with a terrible line on either side of the ball...He just doesn't get down like that and Sparano is one of the best O-line coaches around period, they will develop some solid starters and depth along both sides of the line.
 
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