The State of our Guards | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

The State of our Guards

aquabob

aquabob

Active Roster
Joined
Apr 23, 2010
Messages
2,599
Reaction score
532
Am I the only one worried about our guard situation? I mean we got Shelley Smith who has very limited experience (7 starts). We have a rookie Turner, who never played guard before and comes from a small school and small conference....there's got to be a learning curve there. Dallas Thomas was a train wreck in the preseason last year. Brenner flashed, but became a serious liability the more he played. Are we just hoping two starters rise from the ashes of all this inexperience?
 
I seriously doubt they could be any worse than last year and both of our tackles were upgraded so that is going to make the entire line look better.
 
I am confident we will have good starting guards. I expect it will be Shelley and Turner. I am not sure that Brenner or Thomas are good backups, so I do have some concerns about depth.
 
outlawd2u said:
I seriously doubt they could be any worse than last year and both of our tackles were upgraded so that is going to make the entire line look better.
Click to expand...

I agree it can't get worse, but I think the line will still be the offenses' Achilles heal, especially at the guard positions. I do think we have the tackle spots solved for now though.
 
I'm more worried how local buffet owners are going to stay in business without Jerry....
 
The comparison is not Shelley Smith and Billy Turner vs John Jerry and Richie Incognito. Its a comparison of 2offensive lines, and zone blocking ones at that. This is like a moving wall. And this wall moves a lot faster. Shelley Smith and to a degree Billy Turner, can get up the field much quicker, much cleaner, or get out to the sidelines. These guys will hold block, disengage, get up and block in front. Albert & James as well. This personnel change also takes major responsibility off of mike pouncey's shoulders. He no longer has to be the first or only 1 getting out ahead and blocking.
 
If we can't field a competent line with an HIGHLY paid former 1st round LT, 2 other 1st rounders, 2 3rd rounders, and a few veterans; then we have far bigger issues to address (staff and coaching wise).
 
outlawd2u said:
I seriously doubt they could be any worse than last year and both of our tackles were upgraded so that is going to make the entire line look better.
Click to expand...

Let's not forget Turner was fired and that could be of the most benefit. He was a clown

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk
 
We only have to worry about it for another year until we use next year's first rounder on a guard.
 
Valandui said:
We only have to worry about it for another year until we use next year's first rounder on a guard.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't have minded that last year one bit. Like the 3 man competition for guard going into this season though.
 
footsteps_falco said:
The comparison is not Shelley Smith and Billy Turner vs John Jerry and Richie Incognito. Its a comparison of 2offensive lines, and zone blocking ones at that. This is like a moving wall. And this wall moves a lot faster. Shelley Smith and to a degree Billy Turner, can get up the field much quicker, much cleaner, or get out to the sidelines. These guys will hold block, disengage, get up and block in front. Albert & James as well. This personnel change also takes major responsibility off of mike pouncey's shoulders. He no longer has to be the first or only 1 getting out ahead and blocking.
Click to expand...

love the avatar pic.
 
Something that I think is being severely overlooked here is how hurt Dallas Thomas was last year. He had a fairly serious shoulder injury which really impacted his strength. He was also shuttled in-between two OL positions all year.

The tape on Dallas Thomas is merely decent, and I don't believe he's going to be a star in the NFL, but I do believe he has the size and movement abilities to factor into this race with a full offseason being healthy and being able to lift regularly.

If we just stick him at LG and let him grow there, I'm confident he can become at the bare minimum a competent backup, if not start.
 
guard right now is a serious question mark. Smith couldn't hold a job on a bad line. Turner is a tackle that will play guard.
I don't think smith is much of a starter but Turner is a big question that really no one can answer. Hopefully its a good answer.
Smith is a pure stopgap until we get a good guard to take his place. Better play from LT should help
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom