Left Guard And Center In Critical Re-Shuffle

M.J.

8 years ago

With Albert out, Tunsil moves over to Left Tackle, leaving Left Guard needing to be manned.

With Pouncey out, Center joins Left Guard as needing a new starter.

In the middle of a critical stretch, Branden Albert‘s injury forces Laremy Tunsil to slide over to Left Tackle, leaving a big question mark at Left Guard for the next 2-3 weeks.

But, a new revelation has made everything even more complicated: Mike Pouncey has re-aggravated his hip injury and is likely a scratch.

Enter the cavalry of Kraig Urbik and Anthony Steen.

This means Steen will return to Center and Urbik will play Left Guard. It also means that the Dolphins depth at Offensive Line is critically thin with only one true reserve in Sam Young — that’s if Pouncey can’t go in at least a back-up role. Reservist Terry Poole and Jake Brende may be called up, but neither immediately brings a sigh of relief, and a quick signing isn’t happening either.

So, it-is what it-is.

Honestly, I’m not that overly concerned from a skill-level stand point. It will be a drop-off in some areas, but not a nose-dive. The combination of Urbik / Steen is an upgrade in power when blocking at the point of attack compared to Pouncey / Tunsil and are fresher meat for the grinder of a heavy does of the run-game. Steen though doesn’t have Pouncey’s experience or ability to work the second level, and Urbik lacks Tunsil’s reach, size and agility, but he does have far more experience.

My main concern, the one that’s has me all squirmy is Jermon Bushrod‘s balky shoulder and that this squad has nearly no parachute should one lineman fall to injury or need a blow.

On a positive note, Left Guard and Center will be manned by players who have had success.

I adopted three players as my children this season: Isaiah Pead, Urbik and Steen.

Every year, a couple of underdogs worm their way in to my heart and become my ‘children’. I root like heck from them to find a home…most often they get cut.

Pead, as we all know, is suffering from a horrific accident. We can only pray and hope a silver lining finds it’s way into his life.

But, as for Urbik and Steen, these back-of-the-line guys, who through hard-work and chance opportunity have beaten the odds of the best sportsbook software as best pay per head, and find themselves with the weight of the season on their shoulders.

I really believe they will shine.

And I’m not saying that because of a BFF vibe I have with them. When you watch the tape they do work. While they have some warts, they are no way shape or form a Thomas and Turner. But, the problem is, their success might not matter should a few bad breaks hit and Jarvis Landry or Adam Gase ends up playing Tackle.

This is THE week to give all your Fin Fan mojo to chase off the injury bug. This beleaguered O-Line can’t even afford a nibble on it. But, I’ll state it here and now, if they don’t get bit, this line will put another “W” up for the Dolphins. Go Fins!!!

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With Pouncey out, Center joins Left Guard as needing a new starter.

On a positive note, Left Guard and Center will be manned by players who have had success.

I really believe they will shine.

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