1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

More OL Possibilities

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by ckparrothead, Jul 22, 2014.

  1. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

    79,599
    159,162
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    Per Adam Caplan both the Dolphins and Bears are showing interest in Mike Brisiel. Brisiel played for the Houston offensive line multiple years under Benton. He was generally considered the weakest link of a really fantastic zone blocking line. He got overpaid in the extreme by the Oakland Raiders, who released him in April.

    Also I believe the Texans have released 2013 third round pick Brennan Williams. Williams missed all of 2013 with microfracture surgery and he's still not healthy enough to pass a physical, so they waived him with a failed physical designation.

    I wouldn't mind picking up either player.

    Mike Pouncey's injury means the Dolphins are currently faced with the daunting possibility of fielding three offensive linemen who have never played NFL football before (Dallas Thomas, Billy Turner, JaWuan James).

    They could play Daryn Colledge, but he's old and they may not like what they see from him.

    Mike Brisiel played right guard for Benton in Houston. That's important.

    Daryn Colledge is a career left guard. Dallas Thomas has been competing at left guard and that's what he played in college (in addition to left tackle). Billy Turner was a left tackle at the FCS level last year. Ultimately, Shelley Smith should probably be playing left guard or center because he has significant weaknesses in pass pro at right guard. They may view Shelley as Pouncey's ideal replacement anyway.

    As for Brennan Williams he was a very promising looking potential zone blocker coming out of UNC. His injury situation is unfortunate but perhaps you can take a flier and try and keep him around a while, pay his medical bills and see what you have from him in 2015. Since Benton was with the Texans when they drafted him, there's a strong possibility he reviewed Brennan's work at UNC. He may think highly of him, hence their drafting him in the third round.
     
  2. Ohio Fanatic

    Ohio Fanatic Twuaddle or bust Club Member

    32,043
    22,765
    113
    Nov 26, 2007
    Concord, MA
    If the plan is to move shelley to center while Pouncey is out, Brisiel at RG makes a lot of sense.
    I'm very worried that we see no improvement on offense if we go in with the current starters at RG, LG and center. at least until Pouncey is healthy
     
  3. Anonymous

    Anonymous Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    13,969
    3,367
    113
    Jul 5, 2009
    Can Michael Roos be an option? I'm just thinking out loud hear. He's on a one year deal with Tennessee. They drafted Lewan and signed Oher. They have Levitre and Warmack. Odds are he's on his way out. And he's still a very, very good lineman. My line of thinking is acquiring him to play Left Guard ala Andrew Whitworth who went from Tackle to Guard. I'm not sure if he can play there like Whitworth who actually played there a bit before but I think he would be interesting. Plus, he can be insurance for Brandon Albert.
     
  4. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

    79,599
    159,162
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    It should be considered a possibility. I don't know if Tennessee plans to cut him though.

    Really the Dolphins should be looking at an "any of the above" type of approach to get better along the OL because it's the main impediment to them being a playoff team.
     
    Pandarilla likes this.
  5. RoninFin4

    RoninFin4 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    23,656
    44,433
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    I'd just point out that Whitworth also played guard in college as well, so he wasn't going into that transition blind. I also think that was purely out of necessity last year due to injuries. Whitworth is back at left tackle since Collins departed.
     
  6. Canad-phin

    Canad-phin Active Member

    466
    89
    28
    Oct 17, 2012
    Here's hoping Tyler Larsen comes out of no where and steals the starting center spot. Though it would be so many young guys playing they would be in spots they have played before.
     
  7. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

    79,599
    159,162
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    No idea what people are seeing in Tyler Larsen. He's just a guy.
     
  8. Lee2000

    Lee2000 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    17,508
    13,917
    113
    Mar 23, 2008
    Pearl, Mississippi
    He appeared to do reasonably well at the Senior Bowl. As well as a guy like Brenner, abeit he is a rookie and Brenner has a year under his belt. Some draft media had him rated as a 4th round pick.
     
  9. Canad-phin

    Canad-phin Active Member

    466
    89
    28
    Oct 17, 2012
    Sometimes just a guy shows up adapts quickly and turns into someone. He has the most experience at center on our entire team other than Pouncey.
     
  10. jw3102

    jw3102 season ticket holder

    7,760
    3,486
    113
    Sep 4, 2010
    Maui, Hawaii
    The fact the Dolphins are still looking at a player for the OL who was considered the weak link on the Texans OL and was just cut by the Raiders a few months ago, leads me to believe that the OL for the Dolphins at this time remains a huge question mark entering this season.

    I realize that the 2013 OL was one of the worst in the history of the Dolphin organization. Therefore the five new starters should be an upgrade over last years OL. I just don't know if they are going to be any better than a below average OL in 2014 and that means that the RB's will probably still find limited open holes to run through. Tannehill is probably still going to be under a lot of pressure when he is in the pocket. With a new OL beginning the season, hopefully Lazor will have more passing plays which will allow Tannehill to use his legs to roll out and not sit in the pocket as often as Tannehill was forced to do when Sherman was the OC.
     
  11. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,612
    67,493
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    I don't have any hope Larsen making the team.
     
  12. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,612
    67,493
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Agreed...I tried to find something because of the level of excitement from some folks, but couldn't find any.
     
  13. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,612
    67,493
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    hes very strong I'll give him that, just don't see any movement that makes me feel he's gonna make it at this level as a starter.
     
  14. pdaj

    pdaj Well-Known Member

    Perhaps the Fins could find a solution once pre-season cuts are made?
     
  15. PhinFan1968

    PhinFan1968 To 2020, and BEYOND! Club Member

    Here's the way I see it, and I'll state up front that I hope we sign an FA or 2 before the pre-season (maybe Brisel and a back-up T), but going strictly with that we have, I'd expect:

    LT Albert -- Runaway improvement over 2013 LT. Injury concerns scare me, we need depth.
    LG Thomas -- Solid performance expected, not mind blowing stuff, Albert may be able to help him improve.
    C Brenner -- Filled in last year and did "OK." We're gonna feel the drop-off from Pouncey no matter who starts there anyway.
    RG Smith -- Poor pass-pro, great run-game work...mixed bag, 'cuz we desperately need both. Maybe Brisel...maybe Turner before the end of the season?
    RT James -- Could he possibly be any worse than Clabo? I expect "average" level play from him there, possibly slightly above.

    Scheme...scheme...scheme. Our O-line won't be the catalyst to success (even though the blind side should be fairly well protected), it will have to be covered and game altered around it, unless the new team of OL coaches can work some magic. Sherman leaving and his replacement in Lazor should help. I know OTAs isn't the rule for gauging play, but it sure seemed like the QBs were being gotten to a lot more than I would like. Need this to improve in camp/pre-season, else I'm less-than-optimistic...and that's against my nature.

    Still hoping we can sign a guy or two, for experience and depth if anything.
     
  16. Canad-phin

    Canad-phin Active Member

    466
    89
    28
    Oct 17, 2012
    Gents, I agree with you. I'm just hoping for once we are the team that finds some gem out of the crap and produce a player that comes in and plays solid. I don't need him to be a probowler but solid.
     
  17. Lee2000

    Lee2000 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    17,508
    13,917
    113
    Mar 23, 2008
    Pearl, Mississippi
    I thought he held up reasonably well at the Senior Bowl practices. I watched the sessions and he played against some strong competition, abeit other rookies.
     
  18. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,612
    67,493
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    There is a talent upgrade across the board, and please don't forget that Sherman didn't nothing to protect our biggest weakness, he literally kept the pocket the same, he didn't move it to help the Olineman get some thinking going on from the defenders they were facing, all defenses knew exactly where Tannehill was gonna be, because that's what he freakin did!!!

    We will struggle early, Pouncey being out will hurt, but the projection of them looking better than last year during an entire season is such a good bet...once again, Clabo and Martin were turnstiles bro, they sucked donkey balls..

    Having the worst set of tackles in the league bar none is no way to play the game of football at this level.

    So cheer up, put your super skinnies on and go sit at a bar by yourself.
     
  19. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,612
    67,493
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    I saw some reps against the best defender in the draft Aaron Donald, I looked to find those clips from the senior bowl, couldn't find them.
     
  20. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

    9,173
    2,398
    113
    Apr 20, 2009
    Tampa Area
    would like to see them assign these positions, coach up the team

    LT- Albert
    LG -Thomas
    C-Gardner/Pouncey
    RG-Turner
    RT James
     
  21. Deerless Dice

    Deerless Dice Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    2,288
    2,486
    113
    Oct 30, 2013
    3 rookies on the offensive line has a chance to be Dolphins 2009 secondary bad
     
  22. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,612
    67,493
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Let them play..let them play..let them play!!
     
  23. dolfan32323

    dolfan32323 ty xphinfanx

    12,587
    1,574
    113
    Nov 27, 2007
    Washington DC
    It can't be worse than last year....


    can it?
     
  24. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,612
    67,493
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    No, it can't..

    Clabo Martin, Martin Clabo, Martin Clabo Jerry, Jerry Brenner Clabo, Brenner Martin Clabo Jerry...

    Worst line in dolphin history, worst line in football last year.
     
  25. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

    99,377
    37,301
    0
    Nov 22, 2007
    inching to 100k posts
    B/c playing Center in the league is as much how smart a player is over what a great athlete they are, tho that said think Nate Garner has something of Jeff Dellenbach in him
     
  26. PhinFan1968

    PhinFan1968 To 2020, and BEYOND! Club Member

    Also has a chance to be something special...like when Webb started at LT and the other rook at RG, IIRC.

    Edit: I have worries about the Oline too, but it's easy to forget that last year's line, scheme, coaching, is NOT the same as this year's. Same team, new line.
     
  27. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,612
    67,493
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    I don't know how smart a player Larsen is, I just feel like he's not talented enough to be effective at the starter level, could be wrong.
     
  28. Phoenician Fan

    Phoenician Fan Well-Known Member

    1,242
    340
    83
    Mar 21, 2013
    Bryce Quigley URFA San Diego OT/OG/C. A better and younger version of Nate Garner.

    Probably won't won't make the final cut. He may actually still not be 100%.
     
  29. Lee2000

    Lee2000 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    17,508
    13,917
    113
    Mar 23, 2008
    Pearl, Mississippi
    Do

    Dolphins had ample opportunity to sign him. He did have injury issue and probably would not have passed physical. I liked him. I would prefer "true" center, but that may not happen this year.
     
  30. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

    79,599
    159,162
    113
    Dec 1, 2007
    Jordan Mills was terrible. But Kyle Long was pretty awesome for stretches.

    Also the Chicago Bears had Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett, Matt Forte and Jay Cutler. And they went 8-8. Just sayin.
     
  31. aesthetic

    aesthetic Raw Doggin' Club Member

    379
    159
    43
    Jan 3, 2008
    Soooooooo much fan angst just floated away by reading that.....MF, now I'm optimistic again....
     
  32. aesthetic

    aesthetic Raw Doggin' Club Member

    379
    159
    43
    Jan 3, 2008
    OK, now I'm better....back to my regularly scheduled pessimism.....:-P
     
  33. LBsFinest

    LBsFinest Banned

    3,972
    2,062
    0
    Jul 24, 2012
    funny thing is if Philbin's fired and the next coach/offensive coordinator want a power/man blocking scheme we could be looking at another overhaul of this line, especially the interior, they might prefer a bigger (and cheaper) center than Pouncey, some new guards, etc
     
  34. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    Branden Albert played LG in college due to the presence of Eugene Monroe. If we signed Roos, a better option for this season maybe to play him at LT and Albert at LG. Both are top LTs but Albert has experience at LG.
     
    Anonymous likes this.
  35. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    I'd like to give him at least a few weeks of camp before declaring him warmed over sh!t. Sam Brenner was a long shot to make the team last year too.
     
  36. Den54

    Den54 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    19,644
    31,277
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    AMERICA!
    I still think Nate will Gardner strong consideration at center.
     
    PhinFan1968 likes this.
  37. rdhstlr23

    rdhstlr23 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    14,074
    11,142
    113
    Dec 2, 2007
    Chicago, IL
    This. And Kyle Long was terrible for stretches too.

    Living in Chicago I saw first hand

    Their O-Line improved because Trestman and McCown. Cutler was inconsistent as he always is too.
     
    ckparrothead likes this.
  38. rdhstlr23

    rdhstlr23 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    14,074
    11,142
    113
    Dec 2, 2007
    Chicago, IL
    I get it. Well done Den.
     
  39. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    Who is Nate Gardner?
     
  40. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,612
    67,493
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Just said I don't have any hope..lol..

    Ok, I will have hope,
     

Share This Page