The Problem with the O-Line

[Medicane84]

Well This point has probably been brought up countless times - but the two biggest problems with this season are our OC and O-Line.

Analyzing the O-Line... I mean last year we were pretty good at pass blocking, and mediocre at best at run blocking.

This year, we're horrific at pass blocking and semi-decent at run blocking (WHEN WE DO FREAKING RUN... God, 11 runs a game.. pathetic).

Anyways, Why the discrepensy?

I would say that a large portion of that falls on the center.
If you recall, a center is supposed to call out the blocking assignments prior to the beginning of the play - a lot rides on their shoulders.

I am no McKinney fan, by far, but I thought he was alright. I thought he was a pretty intelligent line-man, but would often go in reverse when confronted by a decent D-Line man; he lacked the physical tools.

I am proposing that perhaps the biggest blow to the line is losing our center, McKinney, and his replacement has probably been doing a crappy job.

What do you guys think? :dolphins:

 

[McMichael]

wish we would have gone out and signed a big name O-Lineman like the Vikings did

 

[icephinfan]

wish we would have gone out and signed a big name O-Lineman like the Vikings did

Here Here

 

[Jimmy James]

But for the Culpepper trade, we could have easily drafted they drafted with our pick. That might have instantly solved C *and* RG.

I do have to wonder how much of the problem is Shelton instead of the guys on the interior, though. Of course, if there wasn't the hole at G to be so concerned about, perhaps McIntosh would be playing LT at this point.

 

[Aussiefinfan54]

wish we would have gone out and signed a big name O-Lineman like the Vikings did

yeah and not back up at best rubbish like bennie anderson and LJ shelton

 

[adamprez2003]

I think LJ Shelton is the number one problem on the line. You need a certain amount of athletic ability at that position which Saban now understands after McINTOSH AND Shelton have screwed the pooch. Second the injuries to ROG have decimated any possibly communication betwee that position and center and ROT. Hopefully Berger or Jacox settles into that position and keep it. It took McKinney two years to be able to make the proper calls. Look for Hadnot to do the same

 

[tdmiami]

wish we would have gone out and signed a big name O-Lineman like the Vikings did

yeh definately

 

[RiderOnTheStorm]

The centre spot is a big area of concern and though McKinney, Hadnot and Wade Smith have all had shots at it, Miami did make an effort to sign battered but pro-bowl regular Kevin Mawae. If we made an effort to sign someone who is beyond his prime surely that signifies the lack of faith in the current incumbents. LeCharles Bentley should of been a prime target during last years bout of FA, though he probably still would of signed for the Browns. Going into FA and the draft next year, Miami need to sign a top C.

 

[KTOWNFINFAN]

Our OL pass blocking is pretty good, there are times when the backs and TE misses blocks but for the most part if the QB had a better understanding of who is coming and how much time he can expect the sacks would not be a problem.
The bengals have one of the best OLs in football but last week watching them play made me realize just how much time we waste just getting back into our drops. Carson was sacked a couple of times but had it been Pep in there it would have been double diget sacks. A couple times this year already I have seen our QB run a QB waggle right into the strong side of the formation, with the TE running a pattern. Now there is no way in any level of football that is gonna work. There is gonna be a free rusher over the TE with no one to block him. When danute would turn around he was already sacked. Now I have seen the falcons get away with such plays but that is by design, we don;'t have vick.
Most all of our sacks could have been avoided. A few could not, but most of them are from other people missing blocks like Barns and Randy.

 

[Kdawg954]

Well I tell u, I have been waiting for them to throw McIntosh at LT again and throw Shelton at G, try it . . . Shelton is not quick enuff to be an even decent LT in this league . . . McIntosh did a good job last year (especially comparing to our LT production this year). I think with Sheltons size, he could clog up a interior DL at G. When will HOuck and Saban realize he wasn't the answer they were looking for at and put somebody in there who has had success before. I know we are trying to gel . . . . but I just don't think its gonna happen with the talent on the line we have. Also, maybe a change at center is due, put Hadnot back at guard and try Berger at C, or somebody . . . iono, I know we not gonna shuffle this line at this point, but something has gotta happen.

 

[cnc66]

wish we would have gone out and signed a big name O-Lineman like the Vikings did

hmmm, and then we would have to cut ZT or JT or CC or RM....when you pay 65 million for an efn guard, something ELSE...like a skill position, gets hurt. Why not really look at Minny this year..I think you will find that even tho they spent ALL that money, their o-line is not all that much better than our catastrophe.

 

[dolfanmark]

In fairness to our line, they have faced an inordinate amount of blitzing, both pass blitzes and run blitzes. At this point, the other teams have shown no fear of our passing game at all. Until our QB can make some quick throws to slow down the blitzers, it won't stop.

 

[cnc66]

In fairness to our line, they have faced an inordinate amount of blitzing, both pass blitzes and run blitzes. At this point, the other teams have shown no fear of our passing game at all. Until our QB can make some quick throws to slow down the blitzers, it won't stop.

hmmm. most teams are beating us with a 4 man rush anyway...so there is no relief for the qb. Seven guys dropping...qb only getting <3 seconds...not a situation conducive for success.

 

[DolphinsFan23]

wish we would have gone out and signed a big name O-Lineman like the Vikings did

I would have loved to have signed Steve Hutchinson to the Dolphins this year. We need to have a hungry, dominant "big dog" on the offensive line who can be the pack leader for the rest of them. He could motivate the rest of them to play up to HIS level ... for pride and ego, etc.

Every offensive line needs that one guy who plays smart and doesn't take crap from anyone ... "smash mouth" physical football ... that guy that just loves to put the guy he's blocking on his azz every chance he gets ... a caveman kind of thing. :D

 

[Phanatical]

The Problem with the O-Line Well This point has probably been brought up countless times - but the two biggest problems with this season are our OC and O-Line.

Analyzing the O-Line... I mean last year we were pretty good at pass blocking, and mediocre at best at run blocking.

This year, we're horrific at pass blocking and semi-decent at run blocking (WHEN WE DO FREAKING RUN... God, 11 runs a game.. pathetic).

Anyways, Why the discrepensy?

:dolphins:

The biggest problem is that Daunte doesn't step up in the pocket, doesn't scramble when he has an open lane, holds the ball too long, can't read defenses, is not able to find the open guy on blitzes which is causing defenses to bring 8 guys and effectively overwhelming the line.