Will Phins Interior O-Line Grow from Garbage to Good?
The Phins interior O-line looks to be much improved in 2020
Even though adding a talented left tackle was a major key to the offseason, the interior O-line was the more crucial fix for the Dolphins to have success this year. Thankfully, instead of the usual rubbing two pennies together, Chris Grier addressed the Phins problems on the offensive line with a soup to nuts approach in the draft, Free Agency, and UDFA. While very early, the prognosis appears good. Miami enters the 2020 Training Camp with their young starters seasoned and set to compete against a heap of new talent to keep their jobs.
This sounds like an excellent recipe for improvement.
Competition and depth up and down the offensive line are vastly improved… but what will all these moves ultimately amount to? At the very least, the addition of veteran Ereck Flowers brings some respectability to the guard position. And it’s been a long time since Phins fans had that.
Phins guards haven’t guarded much since 2013
The Dolphins haven’t had a top-shelf offensive guard since Richie incognito was released mid-way through the 2013 Season–unless you count that one game with Josh Sitton. Mostly Phins fans have had to watch the ‘turnstile twins’ at both guard positions ruin games and seasons.
Was Jonathan Martin bag of black cat or what?!
The Phins’ centers have only slightly outperformed their guards for most of a decade. Mike Pouncy played at a Pro Bowl level for a few seasons, but a long list of injuries devasted his ability to run block making him one dimensional. While Pouncy did provide quality pass-blocking, he was a wet noodle in the run game. Daniel Kilgore’s skillset was a carbon copy to a lesser degree.
At least for the 2020 Season, the starting center position appears filled. I wonder who’ll be the backup though… and if he is being groomed for the future? Of course, Karras could play himself into a longterm commitment with Miami. Or maybe Miami will look to draft a one in 2021.
Ted Karras was signed to a one year deal and played well for the Patriots in 2019. It’s pretty much signed sealed and delivered that he’ll be the starter. PFF ranked Karras the 20th best center overall and 26th best in pass block and 16th in run blocking. Despite the OC Chan Gailey’s 5 Wide sets, Karras’s strength of run blocking could hint at a more equal measure of the run game.
Dieter is smart and played center for 16 games in college, so I keep wondering if he could find his way to the backup spot. Deiter is tall though at 6’6”. Maybe too tall? Likely he is just an emergency center.
As for the guard, beyond Ereck Flowers and his guaranteed spot, it’s anyone’s job. Ereck Flowers (OL 6-6 329lbs) posted a PFF Grade 64.2 in 2019 and despite being huge, he was a better pass blocker than run blocker. Left guard or possibly a long shot to take starting tackle look to be where he’ll start.
The rest of the contenders for starting guard
- Michael Deiter (6-6 310lbs) had a 2019 PFF Grade of 42.5 and uglier 37.8 pass-blocking grade. This is slightly skewed south because he played most of a game at left tackle. Generally, though Deiter’s rookie season was a letdown. Still, it takes time for linemen to develop.
- Jesse Davis (6’6” 325 lbs) could always find himself back in his old position of right guard. But, I think he’ll stick at one of the tackle spots. A right guard is easier to find than a right tackle.
- Robert Hunt (6’6” 323lbs) Chris Grier said ‘he’ll compete for a starting job at both right tackle and right guard’. According to PFF, ‘Robert Hunt was a nasty run-blocker for Louisiana and owned a solid 86.0 grade in that facet of play’. Of all the Phins rookie o-linemen, he’s my bet with the best pay per head software like www.AcePerHead.com to start at the beginning of 2020.
- Solomon Kindley (6-4 339lbs) is huge… maybe too huge. As per PFF, “Kindley is a big boy who thrived in the SEC by straight leaning on dudes. He got a lot of play by simply being 330+ pounds and being able to play with leverage. That play doesn’t quite translate to the NFL though. It also got unceremoniously exposed far more often this past season than it did in 2018. ” Kindley might need to shed a few pounds. Remember what happened to Isaac Asiata?
- Shaq Calhoun (6-3 310lbs) was last year’s starter and had a slightly better grade than Deiter. I liked Shaq Calhoun when he was signed as a UDFA, but he needs to show solid improvements in Year 2. If not, he might not make the roster. I think he will, though.
The long shots to make the team
- Keaton Sutherland (C/G 6-5 316lbs) was a rookie last season and earned a PFF grade of 46.4 on 93 snaps. It will be tough for him to make the team, but on a positive note, he graded very well in run blocking. Also, he has versatility, so the backup center could be where he finds his home.
- Donell Stanley (6-4 324lbs): As per a PFF Tweet I just found, “Donell Stanley: The only center with 500+ pass-blocking snaps and less than 5 QB pressures allowed.” This tweet has me intrigued given his size and experience.
- Danny Isidora (6-3 306lbs) posted a 53.7 grade on just about a 100 snaps. It’s not a good sign if he earns a spot.
Miami has pulled in so much talent in so many ways that they must have some good hits among so many. They just have to! This group will be my litmus test for the future. The most important unit in the game is the offensive line, especially the interior three, so if they nail this, the sky is the limit! Go Phins!!!
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Hello Admin
The season Jay Ajayi rushed for 3 or 4 200 yards game the Dolphins Offensive line had multiple Pro Bowlers blocking for Ajayi with Mike Pouncey Center leading the way. The problem was they could not stay healthy and the backups were mediocre. This 2020 Fins offensive line should be an improvement and a work in progress. Any thing less than Pro Bowler talent will not make the playoffs?
Considering how bad they were, even a little improvement will feel like a ton. Howard is a key though. We traded Minkah for that pick. He need to at least be above average.
Continuation:
Sean Pollard Clemson
Pollard signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens following the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft Saturday night. Pollard played 2,328 snaps over 55 games (38 starts) in his career, playing at tackle, guard and center during a four-year span from 2016-19 in which the Tigers went 55-4 and won two national championships.
UDFAs determine how good a FO you have. Ravens are aces.
The Baltimore Ravens were arguably the best team in the NFL throughout the 2019 regular season, finishing the year 14-2, good for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson took home the NFL’s MVP award and John Harbaugh won the NFL’s Coach of the Year award.
Baltimore as a team led the NFL with a dozen Pro Bowlers and had five first-team All-Pro performers, the most of any franchise. It lost, however, in its lone postseason game to the Tennessee Titans, abruptly ending the team’s quest for the Super Bowl.
Round 1, Pick 28 (No. 28 overall): Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
Round 2, No. 55 overall: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Round 3, No. 106 overall: Tyre Phillips, OT, Mississippi State
Round 4, No. 143 overall: Ben Bredeson, G, Michigan
Round 5, No. 170 overall: Broderick Washington, DT, Texas Tech
Round 6, No. 201 overall: James Proche, WR, SMU
Round 7, No. 219 overall: Geno Stone, S, Iowa
Continuation:
68th Nick Harris Washington, https://youtu.be/KGdFih728NU
The Browns on Saturday selected Washington C Nick Harris in the fifth round with the No. 160 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft
The Browns acquired the No. 160 pick in a trade Friday with the Colts, when they moved back from No. 41 to No. 44.
Continuation:
Lloyd Cushenberry LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Former LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry has been selected in the third round (No. 83 overall) by the Denver Broncos in the 2020 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 312-pounder from Carville, La. is considered one of the best centers in LSU history.
Continuation:
Darryl Williams Mississippi State https://youtu.be/V0G8lXDajXU; https://youtu.be/gp5uR4br0X8
The Chiefs have made a significant investment in the undrafted free agent center from Mississippi State — and with some work, the investment could pay off
.True to form, the Chiefs didn’t spend a draft selection on an interior offensive lineman in April. But they did invest in a lottery ticket: undrafted free agent center Darryl Williams of Mississippi State — a battle-tested SEC lineman and Bulldogs team leader.
The bottom line
In the KC Draft Guide, we had Williams as a draft-able player. The Chiefs gave him $107,000 guaranteed to join them — a significant investment for an undrafted free agent.
If he cleans up some of his issues, he’s got the football character, effort and physicality that could help him stick in the league. By working on his footwork and base, he could improve significantly, forcing the Chiefs to keep him on the active roster.
Continuation:
This list of Centers/Guards were drafted and undrated, some were predicted 1st round to mid second rounders, remember the names below.
2020 NFL Draft – Predicted back in Oct/Nov 2019 Top Centers/Guards?
Tyler Biadasz Wisconsin https://youtu.be/g3PGMTkzWJ0
The Dallas Cowboys moved up to the end of the 4th Round in the 2020 NFL Draft to select Center Tyler Biadasz out of Wisconsin. They traded their first of two 5th-Round picks this year, 164th overall, and their 2021 5th-Round pick to the Eagles to move up 18 spots.
I still don’t trust the Phins ability to evaluate Olmen… Tunsil was easy. Davis was a good find. but could have been luck. Who else have they found? Maybe I’m missing someone. This huge crop of Olinemen will make or break my opinion and this regime.
I hate to come off negative but They are really suspect to me also!
Though the fins had one of the top offensive lines during Jay Ajayi multiple two hundred yard games. There were no true back ups to carry them over their injuries.
I really didn’t like them though. Pouncy was one dimensional, Tunsil couldn’t run block, James couldn’t pass block… Albert was good, but falling apart, and Bushrod was a body. they did most of their damage against the Bills in two games… a bit overhyped in my mind, Steve.
Hello Admin
Just took some of your bullets that you posted back in September 28, 2019 M.J.
The Phins rushing attack has had as much pop as a geriatric patient low on Geritol. Posted September 28, 2019 M.J.
Your bullets headed into week 4 2019
However you slice it: Miami won’t be consistent until they run the ball effectively.
But is Miami’s running game a lost cause?
If not, what can be done?
First, let’s understand that the offensive line and running backs are a marriage.
But the truth is the marriage of all involved is a bad one.
“The Phins rushing attack has had as much pop as a geriatric patient low on Geritol.” I gave them too much credit.
I think we should see a much improved OL and rush attack. I think it could adequate this year.
I think there will be an improvement on the Offensive line. Here is the danger about this 2020 draft (I don’t see) a definite plug and play player. Each draft picks regardless of the position sway more towards being the 2 to 3 year project.
Round 1, Pick 5 (No. 5 overall): Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Round 1, Pick 18 (No. 18 overall): Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Round 1, Pick 30: Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
Round 2, No. 39 overall: Robert Hunt, T, Louisiana
Round 2, No. 56 overall: Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
Round 3, No. 70 overall: Brandon Jones, S, Texas
Round 4, No. 111 overall: Solomon Kindley, G, Georgia
Round 5, No. 154 overall: Jason Strowbridge, DE, North Carolina
Round 5, No. 164 overall: Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
Round 6, No. 185 overall: Blake Ferguson, LS, LSU
Round 7, No. 246 overall: Malcolm Perry, WR, Navy