Dolphins Must Guard Against Past Miscalculation

M.J.

8 years ago

The last good Guard Miami has had now plays for the Bills

The Guard position is playing a far more prominent role in today’s NFL

The Miami Dolphins have attempted every measure to fix the offensive line—and none of them have been successful. That’s why I was a bit concerned when I read two quotes from the Dolphins Front Office that ‘they didn’t understand’ fans concern over finding two Guards in one off season, and ‘it wouldn’t be hard to find Guards to fit their scheme’.

I’m a huge believer in Adam Gase—HUGE. Gase has nailed just about every move and decision he has made. But, one of his few miscalculations revolved around the Offensive Line.

Last year, Gase defied Real Bookies and bet that Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas could be successful with a good off season in the weight room, and that Jermon Bushrod could handle Right Guard. The latter carried some water, the former was a titanic disaster.

Some years ago, the Left Tackle was the preeminent position on the O-line. You had one super talented Left Tackle to guard your QB´s blindside, and the rest could almost be average and you’d be successful most of the time. A defense would usually line of their best pass rusher on the left side and rush. Whoever won that battle would usually win the war of the trenches.

Then defenses began to move that pass rusher to the right side to test the Right Tackle, to try and get an advantage. Then the Giants made teams realize the potential of interior pass rush to affect top QB’s by denying them the ability to climb the ladder and escape the outside pressure. Soon after, the big boy DT’s became more and more involved in the pass rush. Over-sized NT’s began to disappear from 3rd down… and eventually the league.

Interior pressure is the most deadly, and Guards guard against it

This has put a premium on Guards… especially the Left Guard.

Given the count on both sides, 5 O-linemen are meant to block 4 D-Linemen. If a 5th blitzer is brought–usually a LB, or rarely a DB– the RB or TE picks him up… or as the better QB’s do, they hit the open man or open zone.

With this number game, one rusher gets doubled, and one interior O-Lineman must block alone. This job usually falls in the LG. For the most part, a RG is a run block specialist and gets help from the center in pass blocking situations. Sometimes, if too many rushers come, or the scheme calls for it, the RG must block alone, but that isn’t usually considered a best case scenario or a scheme to live by.

This is the reason why last year the Oakland Raiders paid a mega contract to Kelechi Osemele. This is also the reason why Miami must not live in the old mold that has failed them again and again: you can’t throw chuck steak in the interior and expect a filet mignon offensive line.

At least one highly talented Guard must be acquired–left Guard to be specific. And given what’s out there in Free Agency, it won’t be as simple as last year when you could go out an pay for a prime cut.

I believe in this regime, but they must not repeat–again–the mistakes of the past. Miami will have a season as good as the guy lining up to the right of Laremy Tunsil. Go Fins!!!

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The Guard position is playing a far more prominent role in today’s NFL

Interior pressure is the most deadly, and Guards guard against it

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