Veteran offensive lineman J.D. Walton is in an interesting position | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Veteran offensive lineman J.D. Walton is in an interesting position

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Veteran offensive lineman J.D. Walton is in an interesting position after signing with the Miami Dolphins.
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Walton started all 16 games last year for the New York Giants but knows his natural position is taken in Miami by Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey. The Dolphins currently have two openings at guard, but that’s a position Walton never played at the NFL level.

What is a veteran offensive lineman to do?

“I’m coming to compete,” Walton said. “Wherever they want to try me at, put me in, it doesn’t really matter. I’m coming to push and trying to make this offense better. I come with the mindset of be ready to play guard, be ready to play center, be ready to help out this team any way I can.” Walton has an interesting back story. His career took a bad turn in 2012 when he broke his ankle playing for the Denver Broncos. He sat out 12 games in 2012 and the entire 2013 season. But Walton made a solid comeback and started all 16 games last year with the Giants. He told the Miami media that his ankle problems are behind him. “Last year, coming back, I knocked off the rust at the beginning and then really felt like I caught stride and was playing a lot better towards the end of the season,” Walton said. Walton admits he is definitely most comfortable at center. But he’s keeping an open mind in order to compete for playing time. The Dolphins are extremely thin at guard. Currently, Walton is projected to compete with young, inexperienced players such as Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner for the two openings in training camp.

“The only thing I’ve ever played is center,” Walton said. “But I’m not a one-position guy in my mind. I’m ready to play whatever they want to try me at.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolph...offensive-lineman-jd-walton-coming-to-compete
 
Currently, Walton is projected to compete with young, inexperienced players such as Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner for the two openings in training camp.
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Walton or Thomas.

We're screwed......
 
Csonked Out said:
I think Thomas is going to surprise a lot of people at guard. He is a terrible tackle but should be an effective guard
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I like your optimism on him... I thought like you did a year ago. Now, not so much.
 
even if he just backs up pouncey at center, we need him with garner gone (and only sam brenner with NFL center experience).
 
I'm keeping an open mind. Walton didn't rank well but that may not mean much in terms of being a solid piece of the machine. Frankly, I won't dismiss anyone who will come in, work hard, and try to make a positive impact. Depth in an issue Miami desperately needs to address.
 
If we're going to bring in someone with little to no experience at guard
just draft Brandon Scherff and have 3 pro bowlers on the offensive line


Love his nastiness,Love how he buries people,Love his motor,Love his speed and strength


brandonscherff9602.jpg



[video=youtube;TS9Hq4bdFY0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS9Hq4bdFY0[/video]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
miamiron said:
If we're going to bring in someone with little to no experience at guard
just draft Brandon Scherff and have 3 pro bowlers on the offensive line

[video=youtube;TS9Hq4bdFY0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS9Hq4bdFY0[/video]
Click to expand...
You better be willing to trade up if you want Scherff. I am almost certain he will be the first OL off the board and will go in the top 10. I, for one, am not willing to pay the price to move up.
 
I really dont understand how they didnt have OL as a major leak to plug...
 
Csonked Out said:
I think Thomas is going to surprise a lot of people at guard. He is a terrible tackle but should be an effective guard
Click to expand...

Didn't he get a shot at it last year then got owned so badly by gerald mccoy that they had to pull him?? In a preseason game! I'm not as sure as you are. I think turner may end up starting but I wouldn't be surprised to see everyone else get a chance before Thomas.
 
Didn't the Giants get John Jerry last year? So they preferred Jerry over this guy....hmmmmm. I know i'm stretching things here but still, doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies.
 
i'm more curious how quiet we have been at OG all FA... not even noise looking at guys, and Wiz is even out there still. Walton I dont mind bringing him in, get him working, see what he can do... but it seems more like a depth move if anything.

we also have been very quiet on ILB, even though in FA there basically is nobody out there, they all signed back with their teams basically.

i hope these two spots are huge targets for us in this upcoming draft. we will see... still lots of time ahead.
 
Last year, Walton was #38 of 41 centers ranked with a horrible overall grade of -19.6 for the year.

I took a closer look to find that he had 2 very bad game vs Jax (-6.9), and Philly (-5.3). He had 3 bad games vs Indy (-3.4), Seattle (-3.1) and Zona (-3.0). Total -21.7.

In the other 11 games, 4 were good, 5 were average, and 2 a bit below average. Total +2.1.

Maybe he's not as bad as some think, and Maybe Benton sees him better in his ZBS. We shall find out soon enough.

One other thing I have in the back of my mind is that we have not done anything to give Pouncey a long term deal, and he reportedly wants $10M a year. We "might" be looking to groom a possible replacement option for 2016. Ya never know.
 
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