Omar Kelly Reveals Early Starting O-Line
Early Starting O-Line has Bushrod and Tunsil as guards.
This Starting O-Line is obviously an early projection.
Omar Kelly posted a tweet about the starting O-Line, “I heard the Dolphins O-line will likely look like this: Albert, Tunsil, Pouncey, Bushrod, and James. We’ll see.”
I’ll go so far as to say, this will likely be the week one starting line-up, unless there is an injury, signing or a major surprise of someone stepping up. No, I don’t have “super-secret, inside sources”, but given the value of Albert, Tunsil, Pouncey, and James, they are destined to start unless something very bad happens. And as far as Bushrod goes, he is the only linemen Gase has experience with. This relationship combined with Gase lavishing praise on Bushrod and going hard to acquire him, all but assures that the RG spot is his to lose.
In essence, it would be four tackles and a center as Miami’s starting line. Is that a bad thing? I’d be worried if this were a man scheme that focused on drive blocking, but with the Zone-stretch, this line-up will do just fine and will be a large upgrade from last year’s disaster.
Starting O-Line with Tunsil and Bushrod at guards will be a huge upgrade from 2015.
Obviously, Tunsil is a LT, but with him playing LG it’s still the same kick step and that’s the hardest aspect for most to adjust to. And as far as Bushrod, he played up and down the line last year in practice, according to Gase, who had a bird’s eye view. So, as the head coach and mind behind the offense, if he feels good about, I don’t have much to argue with. Ultimately, if he can’t evaluate a player he spent a whole year with, then it doesn’t take a master sportsbooks to bet Miami will have much bigger issues down the road to worry about.
Also, the Zone-Stretch should favor these rangier, more agile players in the role of guard. The Zone-Stretch uses angles and agility to be effective, as well as set up a wash for the cut-back on runs. Also, the pass blocking job for guards is much easier than at tackle, so there isn’t much of an issue to be concerned with here as well.
The only real issue I see is Tunsil’s strength when he does need to drive block. But, there again, the the LG doesn’t usually play a dominant role as a drive blocker anyway, so it shouldn’t be an end-all, be-all concern.
Some might feel like Miami needs to acquire another guard – I get it. But, Bushrod’s biggest knock was his inability to handle speed-rushers. Now that he is moved inside, his biggest weakness is reduced and the weakest link in the chain is strengthened. Could this line-up flop? Sure! But, I don’t think there is anyway, if all remain healthy, this line-up could ever end up like last year’s train-wreck. But, in the end, the proof is in the pudding! Go Fins!!!
Hello DolFans
Regardless which strategy we used it will come down to their durability this season. Secondly who will be our back up linemen? “This Dolphins offensive line” will not go unnoticed in the NFL this season But we need to improved each week. Keeping a balance offensive approach to the Pass/ Run / Special teams! Surely will keep our linemen healthier Vs. A frustrating panic passing attacked.
On a serious note the Dolphins are improving, its still to early to make an honest assessment because of the IF’s. I cannot stress enough that we better go and fine a Fullback proficient in blocking, etc.
…well we need somebody blocking, whether its a FB or a TE is max nix to me …either will do …but I will concede that I don’t see any of the current RBs that can reliably get the job done from the 3 yd line …right now it’d be Tannehill over Ajayi imnsho …again, hope I’m wrong, just not seeing him as the man right now …maybe Drake …the rest are bench warmers who shouldn’t be on the roster unless one does a 180 in camp …and no, I don’t believe in the Easter Bunny either
…but using a roster slot on a true FB isn’t real popular in the NFL right now …almost an extinct breed …and thus there’s not many around that could do the job if Gase went that way
…I’m of the firm opinion we still need a guard …the idea of the turnstile twins of ’15 being our backups when its almost certain Albert will go down at some point makes my stomach hurt …not to mention Pouncy or James recent injuries …too much depends on the OL working from 1st game all the way through to the playoffs to even think about Thomas being in the OL again.
…admin, you may be right about Tunstil at LG, there’s certainly a lot of smoke signals …but damn it, he was the best LT in the draft and most rated him #1/2 overall …playing him at guard just rankles me, it does.
Hey Lemmus, sorry about the late reply, Jimmy is on vaca’ and I’m in the middle of the stubborn delivery of my son over the last couple of days- that’s not to say I’m delivery him or he is being delivered from me, but my poor wife is having a tough go of it…But on the football end, I think having Tunsil at LG will give him a chance to grow a bit and reduce some pressure in a rookie season with alot of spotlight already. Given Alberts injury history, it’s quite possible Tunsil ends up a T at some point anyway. He’ll end up there next year almost certainly, unless they are a miracle line and Albert wants to redo his contract.
I don’t see them using a FB the rook TE said he was working heavy on his inline blocking so I see Hback as the blocking back.
Admin!
We really need to push the Fullback on the Dolphins. Gronkowski was not drafted but picked up by the Bills after the 2016 draft. If he slide from the Bills we need him to help protect Tannehill, block for Ajai and Drake etc. and to get those stuff yards.
Currently at the Bills camp! Fullback job: Jerome Felton vs. Glenn Gronkowski
Everyone points out that Rex Ryan loves Jerome Felton and Gronkowski faces long odds of making the 53-man roster. Buffalo’s head coach is certainly high on Felton, but he’s also a big fan of Gronkowski. Ryan personally called the fullback after the draft to recruit him to join the Bills.
It is a very unpredictable season do to all the uncertainty …injuries being one of the major variables! There is a lot of excitement over the possibility of great things…just as the misery of let downs will be if the variables come up snake eyes. It’s hard to imagine everything working for or against Miami. Likely it will be some good and some bad. At the very least, it shouldn’t be a total disaster no matter what!!!
I’m right there with you Lemmus on Omar. I turn channels whenever he is on, I do not read any of his articles, etc. Omar has NOTHING positive to say about the Miami Dolphins. Doesn’t matter if they win by 1 or win by 20, Omar ALWAYS has a negative spin on anything to do with the Dolphins. Enough time on Omar = Blah, Blah, Blah.
As of right now, I think this is our starting O-Line, and not a bad line to boot. Should be much much improved from last year. I’m not all to familiar with Bushrod, however; nobody would know his abilities better than Gase. Gase was one of his coaches last year, and I trust Gase’s knowledge, he must know/see something in Bushrod rather it be as a starter or reserve. The Bears staff had nothing but good things to say about Bushrod, and the move seemed to be because of salary and injury last year; “We thank Jermon for his contributions to the Bears,” general manager Ryan Pace said in a release. “I have so much respect for how he carries himself on and off the field” per Chicago Tribune. Have a feeling Bushrod is a lunchpale kind of player, and if that is the case, I’ll take as many of those kind of players on the O and D line as we can get.
I believe Bushrod at RG will be a microcosm of Miami’s success or failure. If Gase doesn’t get this right then he isn’t the kinda guy to turn this around. He has all the card to make the right call on this…to me it will reveal alot more than the success of the RG position.
“I heard the Dolphins O-line will likely look like this: Albert, Tunsil, Pouncey, Bushrod, and James. We’ll see.” Omar Kelly
…wow! …I’m overwhelmed at such insight and inside knowledge …truly in awe! NOT
…the only thing I like about Omar is that he’s not quite as bad as Salquero …and he was the sole local major media fins rave who called last season before it began
…I still think they need a guard …if the positions required the same skill set, we’d have four OTs and no guards …Bushrod couldn’t possibly be as bad as Turnstile Tommy but he was another team’s castoff for reasons other than cap …we are definitely “improved” …but we could still be better
…in other OL news, one team’s LT is out for the season already and another team’s starting guard is demanding a trade …and we still have 18m in cap space …it ain’t over till it’s over
I’m not a big Omar fan, but he does have contacts among the player and beyond his opinion, he does has inside sources. It was confirmed later on the day by severl people that tunsil is the LG and looks “good”. I disagree with you Lemmus that Bushrod is pretty much set at RG. I think this is the lineup beyond some crazy turn of events. I don’t think they will tough this line except if a golden apple falls in their lap. I think the Z-stretch will be something this look of line will favor. It will be like the old Broncos stuff minus the cuts and chops. I do wonder about Tunsil and Bushrods ability to dig out NT’s and DT inside. But, beyond that, I feel good about this line.