Some ‘Once Bitten, Twice Shy’ About Phins Offensive Line
Some ‘Once Bitten, Twice Shy’ About Phins Offensive Line
Phins’ Offensive Line will determine the outcome of the 2018 Season
The Offensive Line makes everything better or worse…
Plain and simple: So goes the Dolphins Offensive Line, so goes the season.
No unit is more critical than the Offensive Line. None! Blockers make or break QB’s, WR’s, and RB’s. The ‘Big Uglies’ success even affects the other side of the ball. Time Of Possession gives crucial rest to the Defense. No unit in the game of football has near the broad-ranging effect on the team as the O-Line.
Miami has dropped huge amounts of money and quality picks on the O-line over the last decade-plus. For the most part, these moves meant to improve the O’s trench play have instead ended in disaster. If you distilled why the Phins have lacked consistency and success on the field down to one reason, a fair one would be because of terrible O-Line play.
This year, the Dolphins Brass finally decided to address the interior Offensive Line with a complete shake-up at every position.
Will these moves end up winners or another series of letdowns? And if they are positive moves, how much effect will it have on the Phins 2018 Season?
‘Once Bitten, Twice Shy’:
Many fans and sportswriters are extremely leery about giving this Offensive Line a thumbs up. Given the Dolphins history, you can’t fault the doubt. But, considering 3 major factors (consistency, talent, depth), I will stand front and center: “There will be a noticeable bump up in production in the O’s trench play in 2018.”
Okay, let’s take a quick look at last year’s OL stable.
Phins 2017 O-Line suffered setbacks on nearly every front, earning a PFF rank of #29
** Right Guard was also manned by Jesse Davis for 6 games
*** Left Guard was also manned by Anthony Steen for 6 games and Jesse Davis 2 games
**** Right Tackle was manned by Sam Young for 4 games and Jesse Davis for 2 games
Right off the bat, the inconsistent lineup would have caused most O-Lines to struggle. Also, Tunsil moved to Tackle, and Larsen, Steen, and Davis were playing new positions / spots as well. ‘Ugly play’ was built into the DNA of the 2017 OL.
Phinsnews last article spoke about Miami’s ‘all-world’-bad’ run blocking of 0.59 yards before contact. Let me say it again: Runners had A FOOT-AND-A-HALF beyond the LOS to work with! Yes, Miami was actually doubled by 30th ranked Colts with 1.06 yards before contact. The toll on the running game, and by extension the whole team, from this continual limit of ‘free space’ was devastating.
No matter how much passing is ‘helped’ along with the rules, the run game will always be key in the NFL. Offensive consistency comes from limiting penalties and turnovers and an effective run game on 1st Down. Consider the average yards before contact in 2017 was 1.56, this ugly number of 0.59 offers great hope for 2018.
Even average performance would have netted Miami 325 more yards on the season with their 325 carriers. That amounts to at least 4 games of rushing given Miami’s 2017 standards! How many 1st Downs, lost drives, and squandered TOP was lost is unquantifiable. But without a doubt, it would have been significant.
Before we move on let’s look at the personnel of the 2018 Offensive Line…
*Davis played LT, LG, RG, and RT throughout the course of the 2017 Season
Miami did rank 6th in pass blocking efficiency and 4th in the least amount of pressures by PFF. This was a true bright spot of 2017. We can only hope it continues. While Mike Pouncey was a terrible run blocker, his pass protection only allowed 12 pressures all season. But the combination of Sitton and Kilgore will more than offset Pouncey and the ‘turn-style next to him’.
The run game is where the biggest difference will be felt…
Sitton was ranked by PFF 5th in run blocking and Kilgore 18th. Compare that production with Pouncey’s 30th and Larsen’s 73rd and it’s easy to see how that 0.59 will get a boost.
Pouncey struggled with powerful interior defenders and this seriously hurt Inside Zone plays. Kilgore isn’t the pass blocker Pouncey is, but he can better deal with power. Also, Sitton and Davis are equally capable at blocking Inside and Outside Zone scheme’s, so Miami will be more flexible and create a deeper pocket beyond the LOS for runners to work with.
Speaking of the running scheme…
…Gase favors Inside Zone, but Jay Ajayi’s love of Outside Zone moved the play call meter. After Ajayi’s departure, the meter moved back. This trend will likely continue in 2018. Most NFL teams use Inside Zone more because it’s easier to find players to run it and it’s easier to execute. Outside Zone, like Atlanta, almost demands a highly talented run blocking center… and it can be hit or miss. With the new personnel and more Inside Zone, Miami will be more consistent–as well as effective–in the run game.
Let’s consider the depth and O-Tackle play.
Tunsil can’t play any worse than he did in 2017. Given Tunsil’s talent, move outside, and terrible play from the Left Guard, he’s certain to play better in 2018. Also, he missed a huge portion of the 2017 Training Camp with a personal issue. No one can say how much better he will play this season. But even a small increment will make a big difference on that 0.59 number.
Lastly, Dolphins finally have solid depth at the O-line. This is big because injuries are coming. Young, Larsen, and Brendel are excellent backups. All three have proved they can handle the job. This doesn’t include the ‘wildcards’ of Issiac Asiata, Zach Sterup, and Eric Smith. If any of these players can step up it will be the cherry on top. I really liked Smith’s play in the Preseason last year. Smith is a good bet with the pay per head services to be Phinsnews 2018 Adopted Player of the Year. If you’re a film head, go back and study last Preseason. His play popped off the tape. He was certain to make the roster before the injury.
There are so many stats and performances that will be important to pay attention to this season. But yards before contact will be the one I pay attention to most. Titans Week 1, will offer a very good indication right out of the chute. Titans allowed the 4th least rushing yards with 88 yards per game in 2017. So this 1st game will be a big test. I’m not saying to expect a 200-yard game on them. But they will do better than 3.1 YPC and 0.59 YBC. And if they do, good things are coming in 2018.
Today we lost a member of the Dolphins family
On a final note, Tony Sparano has passed away. He was just 56 years old. Whatever you think about his time in Miami, he cared for his team and his team cared for him. He did his best with a raw deal. Coach Sparano most importantly was a good family man. Phinsnews offers it’s deepest condolences to his family and friends. Thank you, coach, for all the joy you brought us.
The line has numerous question marks. Tunsil and Davis worry me. Two first rounders that should have been drafted in lower rounds. Sitton could help our running game. Is Kilgore healthy? The good news is that coaching will help deficient players and provide input on where the line is capable of best assisting the RB in gaining yards. Can the guys best suited for the running game provide adequate pass protection? My last thought is chemistry. What combination of these less than great linemen will develop the chemistry to over achieve and earn our respect?
All valid points, sir. To start, I think a full year removed from crackhead doesn’t hurt (see Keith’s comment). His techniques were questioned and disliked by James. Maybe James just sucks. But his first season with different techs and he looked far better. Pouncey was one dimensional and what I see coming from this O, Brendel or Kilgore will be an improvement due to their ability to handle power better. Last season Davis was left alone to PB and held his own. This year, Sitton will be a ‘blocks alone LG’ and the help with go to Davis. My take: The interior will be fine both running and blocking. I like the odds on their chemistry. As you said it’s KEY. Kilgore is a vocal leader who’s a workman and so is Sitton and Davis. Sitton is an all-time great with a high football IQ. Larsen is fine to fill in for a couple of games too, more so at RG. Tunsil would have to be a complete bust if he repeats 2017. I don’t see it happening again. He could just play slightly better and be more of a letdown and bust… that’s the ore likely scenario. If he does though( a big, big hit), James would move to LT and do better than Tunsil did in 2017 and Young would take RT. I like the young guy Williams and think he’ll stick if he can take it even one level higher than 2017. James healthy history is a concern as well and who knows with that. So I agree the wings have a boom or bust feel to them… if even one of them pans out and the interior stays mostly healthy, I see us as being fine. I am doing the dance for good luck, of course. It would take all world bad luck to have disaster strike like it did 2 years in a row… I’m hoping we don’t have the right stuff for that one.
I was thinking he meant James… and actually, inserted James for Davis in my mind. But thanks Tincan… missed that… (note to self) read more carefully. Thanks, again.
The line has numerous question marks. Tunsil and Davis worry me. Two first rounders that should have been drafted in lower rounds. Sitton could help our running game. Is Kilgore healthy? The good news is that coaching will help deficient players and provide input on where the line is capable of best assisting the RB in gaining yards. Can the guys best suited for the running game provide adequate pass protection? My last thought is chemistry. What combination of these less than great linemen will develop the chemistry to over achieve and earn our respect?
All valid points, sir. To start, I think a full year removed from crackhead doesn’t hurt (see Keith’s comment). His techniques were questioned and disliked by James. Maybe James just sucks. But his first season with different techs and he looked far better. Pouncey was one dimensional and what I see coming from this O, Brendel or Kilgore will be an improvement due to their ability to handle power better. Last season Davis was left alone to PB and held his own. This year, Sitton will be a ‘blocks alone LG’ and the help with go to Davis. My take: The interior will be fine both running and blocking. I like the odds on their chemistry. As you said it’s KEY. Kilgore is a vocal leader who’s a workman and so is Sitton and Davis. Sitton is an all-time great with a high football IQ. Larsen is fine to fill in for a couple of games too, more so at RG. Tunsil would have to be a complete bust if he repeats 2017. I don’t see it happening again. He could just play slightly better and be more of a letdown and bust… that’s the ore likely scenario. If he does though( a big, big hit), James would move to LT and do better than Tunsil did in 2017 and Young would take RT. I like the young guy Williams and think he’ll stick if he can take it even one level higher than 2017. James healthy history is a concern as well and who knows with that. So I agree the wings have a boom or bust feel to them… if even one of them pans out and the interior stays mostly healthy, I see us as being fine. I am doing the dance for good luck, of course. It would take all world bad luck to have disaster strike like it did 2 years in a row… I’m hoping we don’t have the right stuff for that one.
Davis was undrafted free agent, not a first rounder.
I was thinking he meant James… and actually, inserted James for Davis in my mind. But thanks Tincan… missed that… (note to self) read more carefully. Thanks, again.