Fins Linemen Believes O-Line Can Be #1
Turner believe Miami’s O-Line can be #1
Miami’s O-Line was half filled with Pro Bowl talent last year.
Alright, we Fin Fans know the deal with Miami’s 2015 O-Line: talented, but fragile and limited in depth with no guard play.
Last season, Miami’s O-Line weakness became a boulder that was chained around the Dolphins flipper and the weight of it was a major factor in sinking the season.
One Dolphins player believes that this year, the O-Line can be tops in the league.
Turner was quoted as saying, “Anyone that knows football and knows our offensive line knows that we have the potential to be the best offensive line in football,” Turner said. “If you look at our offensive line and just go down the list of how many first-round picks we have and how many guys we have that are perennial Pro Bowl players –- and how many guys that are on the cusp of being perennial Pro Bowlers –- we have a lot of guys.”
So much of what Turner believes is plainly obvious. The 1st round picks invested, the depth of experience acquired in free agency, and a system conducive to the talent should create a formidable line. It’s all there. It’s legit.
But, one stat that isn’t mentioned puts all of his belief in context:
Mike Pouncy hasn’t had a full season since 2012. Brandon Albert has had only one full season since 2008. James missed 9 games last season. Tunsil missed 7 games over the last two. Bushrod is 31 years old and missed 4 games last season.
So, the reality is that it’s entirely possible that Turner is correct and Miami ends up with the #1 O-Line in 2016. But, it’s also more likely statistically that a rash of injuries draws away talent and they fall short of such a lofty height.
Despite challenges, Miami’s O-Line should be best since 2009.
But, here’s the comforting part. With all the talent and depth Miami has now, unless an “injury Armageddon” occurs, the Dolphins will still have an effective O-Line, regardless.
Tackle is covered by Tunsil and Bushrod.
Guard is covered by Urbik and Turner.
Center has the largest question mark over its position depth.
Given the injury history of the players involved, I don’t see Miami possessing a juggernaut O-Line unless Gase and Co are super genius’ of conditioning and injury prevention, or Miami has stored so much good luck on all it’s bad luck that they roll Yahtzee, back-to-back-to-back.
What I do believe is Miami will have their best O-Line since 2009 where they were ranked #2 by PFF. I doubt that they rank that good (#7 at run, #1 at pass, and #9 in penalties), but low teens seems very feasible.
So, 2016 should offer Miami Fans comfort in the fact that we will likely see above average play at the O-Line position as a foundation to base the offensive attack off…and, that should be no small comfort. Go Fins!!!
“They ran Albert, Thomas, Pouncy, Turner, and James today”
…if that’s the OL …5-11 …and that IS being positive!
Like Lemmus said, if that is our O-Line going into this season, 5-11 will be the high mark. No way that is the starting 5. Thomas will be fortunate to be one of the 53, and Turner can be a serviceable back up. Plug in Tunsil and Bushrod at the guard positions and the whole dynamic changes (for the better).
Agree, Lemmus. But, Bushrod drew many rave reviews from some usually hard critics. It’s obviously early, but he is a proven commmodity even if it’s not at G. I see that he will hold down as spot and hold it down well. Now, will he remain healthy? Hmmmmm…But, if Thomas is a LG then it will be ugly.
Admin as you stated Given the injury history of the players involved Albert, James, Pouncey etc. Can we linked lacked of balance offense is contributing to more linemen injuries?
On running plays, the goal is to tackle the ball carrier. The defensive line attempts to maintain their original formation (even spacing without holes), but also to prevent any members of the opposing offensive line from successfully engaging the linebackers, who chase down the ball carrier. The defensive tackles are usually the most skilled run defenders on the team.
The Dolphins 30 years unbalanced offense by passing and creating more injuries?
On passing plays, the defensive line tries to reach the quarterback. Ideally, the defensive players are able to tackle the quarterback for a loss (a sack), but in practice the quarterback will usually manage to throw the ball before an actual tackle is made; the goal is thus to put pressure on the quarterback as quickly as possible to force him to throw the ball before he can find an open receiver. Defensive ends are usually the most skilled pass rushers on the team. In order to increase the pressure on the quarterback, teams will often have players other than the defensive line attempt to tackle the quarterback; this is called a blitz.
The danger of being one dimensional narrows plays towards the QB creating more force throws and sacks. We must focused on a balanced offense
Because the defense does not know whether the offense is attempting to run a passing play or a running play (or whether a quarterback will give up on an attempt to pass and instead run with the ball), they must balance passing and running strategies: running around offensive linemen and avoiding contact may allow faster pressure on a quarterback, but it also leaves a hole in the defensive line and frees an offensive lineman to engage a linebacker, enabling a big running play.
Defensive linemen—particularly defensive ends—are called upon to do more running than offensive linemen, thus they usually tend to be somewhat lighter and faster.
Bottom line we are asking Ajai and Drake to blocked the Defensive Ends, Tackle and a blitzing line Backers? Okay are we really serious this will protect the QB?, and run block? Until the Dolphins take running a well balance offense we will fail.
We cannot run we are not football team.
They can scheme their way into proper blocking alignments and an H-Back or extra TE adds beef to the blockers. I agree and I think Gase does too that running the ball will bring balance and help the whole team. I really believe they will attempt it. Whether the line shapes up or not IS the key. They ran Albert, Thomas, Pouncey, Turner and James today and they were gobbled up. Guard play and injuries will determine the season.