The Offensive Line

[PATRIOT REIGN]

You still have to many questions with your offensive line plus your moving players from one position to another and you will have a few new faces playing but most of all the majority have never played together and I feel that is the most important reason why your team will struggle again up front.

Your team has to get the line set and play them together for a few years then you will see major improvement but untill then you may have some serious problems to deal with.

 

[LarryFinFan]

this seems more accuarate IMO because I just dont see Hadnot being able to convert to C

Hadnot did a decent job at C and was an All American C in college...that said, I thought he did a better job at G two years ago than he did last year at C. With Satele, Mormino, Satele, Esera Liwienski and even Stevenson there is some competition at both G and C spots. Obviously, Liwienski and Hadnot have some experience where the others don't, but eventually I can see one or more of these rookies leaving Hadnot on the bench...

 

[TampaFinsFan01]

I think it will go something like this...

LT-- Carey
LG-- Lewinski
C--Satele
RG--Hadnot
LT--Shelton

Alabi and Rosenthal will be the depth at Tackle. Where it gets interesting is if Mormino and Toledo can win spots, and I think the players Cam/RM drafted will be given every opportunity to start. So while having two rookie starters isn't likely, its not beyond the pale of imagination given the chemistry of this team.

If Mormino can be the starting C, I think they will probably move Satele to LG. If Toledo can be the RT, then who knows what comes of Shelton. In a regular world, you would cut a second teamer carrying a starters salary who doesn't play STs. The X-factor there is Joe Toledo's health.

I do think the best scenario would be to get the rookies starting and have Toledo step up and play RT...if they could join Hadnot and Carey as starters, that would be a young, talented line and one that could be together for several seasons.

I do like the idea of 300 lb guards as opposed to 330 lb guards...much easier to find interior linemen who can step in as opposed to having to find maulers.

 

[Aussiefinfan54]

lets just pray we can acquire kendall and i know its a long shot and will almost certainly not happen but faneca. hopefully we can get one of these guys to add to our line before the start of the season.

 

[BretBowers1000]

Jeno James is still out there and when healthy was atleast a sloid player. Not good however not awful. keep a look out for the Fins to possibly bring him back in if healthy as swing back-up at both guard spots. the signing of liwienski could hurt this though

 

[dlockz]

U think it can get worse than last year?

I think it can because we were getting better as the year went on. Now we have jettisoned two starters one solid in D mac and one ok but overpriced in James. We have already moved two starters to new positions, so at the very least we have 4 people playing in new spots out of 5 and possibly all 5. Not a formula for success this year but maybe long term. Carey has never been a successful LT at any level, so hopefully he will get it now, Shelton has never been a RT that I can remember. There are alot of questions and we did not draft alot of talent on the oline, basically just the C from Hawaii. Did sign some decent UDFA that have some potential. This line basically has no sure thing as far as knowing we will have a good player at that position as far as results.The good thing was our line was not that good to begin with so hopefully players will step up, we really need to hit the draft harder for olinemen because between Toledo and Alabi they have contributed zilch so far. I do like that we seem to be looking at Toledo as a tackle which I feel he is more suited for although he is never healthy.

 

[Kinzua]

I think it can because we were getting better as the year went on. Now we have jettisoned two starters one solid in D mac and one ok but overpriced in James. We have already moved two starters to new positions, so at the very least we have 4 people playing in new spots out of 5 and possibly all 5. Not a formula for success this year but maybe long term. Carey has never been a successful LT at any level, so hopefully he will get it now, Shelton has never been a RT that I can remember. There are alot of questions and we did not draft alot of talent on the oline, basically just the C from Hawaii. Did sign some decent UDFA that have some potential. This line basically has no sure thing as far as knowing we will have a good player at that position as far as results.The good thing was our line was not that good to begin with so hopefully players will step up, we really need to hit the draft harder for olinemen because between Toledo and Alabi they have contributed zilch so far. I do like that we seem to be looking at Toledo as a tackle which I feel he is more suited for although he is never healthy.

:yeahthat:

Generally speaking, late round draft choices and UDFAs are "projects" that take anywhere from 2 to 4 years to make good linemen if they have the potential to be more than backups. I think that the best that the Fins can realistically hope for with the first year players is that Satele can crack the starting lineup by opening day either at guard or center.

 

[dlockz]

:yeahthat:

Generally speaking, late round draft choices and UDFAs are "projects" that take anywhere from 2 to 4 years to make good linemen if they have the potential to be more than backups. I think that the best that the Fins can realistically hope for with the first year players is that Satele can crack the starting lineup by opening day either at guard or center.

Most definately although I think JWilson from UAB might be better than some guys we drafted and the guard from hawaii could also be a keeper.

 

[Clan MacRONNIE]

Most definately although I think JWilson from UAB might be better than some guys we drafted and the guard from hawaii could also be a keeper.

Man, you and Kinzua have a cute little crush starting! Congrats.

 

[Finole]

:sidelol: Shelton get cut? :sidelol:

If Toledo won the RT spot, Shelton would move back to RG.

Cam Cameron said, "In an ideal sense we don't want guys 330, 340, 350 pounds playing guard. We want guys that can think, and can move and are mobile. We'd like our bigger guys to be at tackle."

LJ Shelton weighs 345 lbs. In fact, he's our heaviest lineman. Shelton will not be playing Guard for the Fins anymore.

That means if Shelton doesn't win the RT job, he would become the highest paid backup on our team.

Shelton makes $2 mil a year. Compare that to:

Vernon Carey $490,000
Rex Hadnot $425,000
Anthony Alabi $350,000

If Toledo or Wilson beat out Shelton, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Shelton didn't make the 53-man roster.

But that said, Shelton has just as much been given the RT as Carey was given the LT spot.

Shelton is gonna have to win the RT spot. Personally, I don't think Shelton would win an OT spot on any of the elite teams in the NFL. If he is our starting RT, then that just goes to show how poor our o-line really is.

Toledo is likely battling it out with Liwienski for the LG spot. If Liwienski wins it, Toledo becomes the backup RT.

Toledo weighs 337 lbs. He will not be playing Guard for Cam Cameron. Also, as a former TE, he should have the athleticism to play OT. The guy just can't seem to stay healthy.

Liwienski weighs 321 lbs. That's right at the limit. I don't see Liwienski as a starter. I believe he was brought in for depth. Don't get me wrong, he's solid. But he ain't anything to write home about.

Just look at the guy we've expressed interest in: Pete Kendall weighs 292 lbs. Sounds like the exact type of Guard Cameron is looking for.

 

[feelthepain]

The line has been a big weakness of this team the last few years.

Not nearly as much as the QB and playcalling.

 

[Finole]

You still have to many questions with your offensive line plus your moving players from one position to another and you will have a few new faces playing but most of all the majority have never played together and I feel that is the most important reason why your team will struggle again up front.

Your team has to get the line set and play them together for a few years then you will see major improvement but untill then you may have some serious problems to deal with.

Tom Brady sucks! I can't wait for him to throw another INT at the end of a playoff game this year.

Sorry. I can't help myself.

 

[DolphinsFan23]

I hope Joe Toledo can stay healthy this year. We need all the depth on the Oline we can get. Who knows, maybe he could earn himself a starting job this year if he works hard.

He needs to be careful this year. He tweaked an ankle or something getting out of the sauna last year! Man, we could have used him bad last year at right guard. I still don't know much about Joe other than they said he did pretty well at training camp last year. He has good footwork. He also looks a lot like John Belushi used to. :D

 

[ckparrothead]

If you asked me to handicap the Dolphins starting offensive line in Week 1, it would go:

LT Vernon Carey
LG Samson Satele
C Drew Mormino
RG Rex Hadnot
RT L.J. Shelton

Something about the way they spoke of Mormino as the "vocal guy" they wanted...I think they believe he could start at Center in 2007. They have also made it clear that they want to move all the 330 pound mountain men out to tackle. I think Joe Toledo sees time at right and LEFT tackle, to be honest. Alabi will move out to right tackle for some time in training camp while Toledo is tried at primary backup at left tackle, IMO.

I'm encouraged, btw, about the move of Carey to LT. I think he's the best LT we've tried since Richmond Webb retired. Mark Dixon was close though.

I'm also encouraged with how Cameron seems to want to fit offensive linemen into profiles and positions based on the profiles. For too long I've felt like Hudson Houck is too boom-or-bust with his decisions on OL prospects. He's a guy that can't seem to say no to size and athleticism, no matter what kind of consistency they bring to the table. He keeps shooting for the moon with these prospects like Anthony Alabi, Stockar McDougle, L.J. Shelton, and Joe Toledo. Those kinds of guys have their place...but look at who our best OLs have turned out to be, Vernon Carey and Rex Hadnot. Would Hudson Houck have ever signed off on taking Carey in the 1st round? Nope. Not on your life. Would he have signed off on Rex Hadnot? Nope. Did he, in fact, sign off on Drew Mormino? I dunno, I feel like he probably preferred guys like Dane Uperesa, Kyle Cook, etc. They were much more Houck than Mormino.

 

[Finole]

If you asked me to handicap the Dolphins starting offensive line in Week 1, it would go:

LT Vernon Carey
LG Samson Satele
C Drew Mormino
RG Rex Hadnot
RT L.J. Shelton

Something about the way they spoke of Mormino as the "vocal guy" they wanted...I think they believe he could start at Center in 2007. They have also made it clear that they want to move all the 330 pound mountain men out to tackle. I think Joe Toledo sees time at right and LEFT tackle, to be honest. Alabi will move out to right tackle for some time in training camp while Toledo is tried at primary backup at left tackle, IMO.

I'm encouraged, btw, about the move of Carey to LT. I think he's the best LT we've tried since Richmond Webb retired. Mark Dixon was close though.

I'm also encouraged with how Cameron seems to want to fit offensive linemen into profiles and positions based on the profiles. For too long I've felt like Hudson Houck is too boom-or-bust with his decisions on OL prospects. He's a guy that can't seem to say no to size and athleticism, no matter what kind of consistency they bring to the table. He keeps shooting for the moon with these prospects like Anthony Alabi, Stockar McDougle, L.J. Shelton, and Joe Toledo. Those kinds of guys have their place...but look at who our best OLs have turned out to be, Vernon Carey and Rex Hadnot. Would Hudson Houck have ever signed off on taking Carey in the 1st round? Nope. Not on your life. Would he have signed off on Rex Hadnot? Nope. Did he, in fact, sign off on Drew Mormino? I dunno, I feel like he probably preferred guys like Dane Uperesa, Kyle Cook, etc. They were much more Houck than Mormino.

Thanks for weighing in, ck. I have never been anything but impressed by your OL analysis. I think your starting lineup of Carey, Satele, Mormino, Hadnot, and Shelton is very likely.

I read that, too, about Mormino being the "vocal guy" they wanted. I got the same vibe from Doug Datish. Wonder who the Fins would have drafted if Atlanta hadn't snagged Datish right before we took Mormino.

I just re-read this from the Miami Herald:

The Dolphins could keep Rex Hadnot at center or move him to right guard while giving rookies Samson Satele (second-rounder) and Drew Mormino (sixth-rounder) a chance to compete at center.

Don't know how I missed that. It makes more sense for Hadnot to play RG not LG since he played on the right side before switching to Center last year.

I'm glad you're encouraged because I am not thrilled about Shelton playing RT. And I really thought Carey had found a home at RT.

I was really digging the way Shelton and Carey were starting to open running lanes on the right side towards the end of last year. Hate to see all that progress go to waste. But I'm sure Cameron knows more about football than me. At least, I hope so.