Though the Dolphins remain hopeful that receiver DeVante Parker will be available for the regular-season opener Sept. 13 at Washington, Parker was non-committal on Wednesday, while adding that he is about where he expected as he works his way back from June foot surgery. Parker was dressed for practice on Wednesday but did not participate. He is now able to run at full speed, without discomfort, on that surgically-repaired left foot and said he believes he is close to being cleared for practice. Amid Fox’s concussion and Branden Albert still working his way back from knee surgery, the Dolphins this week gave left guard Dallas Thomas a lot of snaps at left tackle. Thomas, the strong front-runner to start at left guard in the regular-season opener, could be Miami’s best option at left tackle on Saturday against Atlanta, even though Thomas allowed seven sacks when he played tackle last season. Jamil Douglas would play left guard in that scenario, with Billy Turner at right guard. Turner, competing with Douglas to start at right guard, said he has been getting a lot but not all of the first-team snaps at right guard in practice. http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...more-clarity-on-lbs-and-more-canes-notes.html
Jesus...a line of Thomas / Douglas / Pouncey / Turner / James...I'm sure some of it is because I'm still shell-shocked from what happened last year after Albert went down...but FFS...I hope (and there's nothing to give it) they can hold up against Atlanta.
Thomas seems to be more stable since he's been at just LG. I think the smart thing to do is leave him strictly at that one position, same as with James at RT. If Fox cannot go, I'd just plug in Linkenbach at LT for that game. He at least has some experience there in his career. Started and played 5 entire games at LT and parts of 4 others and allowed just one sack during that time.
O line is gonna be a problem all season I fear. We have youth and i'm just hoping these young guys step up. Dallas Thomas especially.
Ya man...Philbin keeps selling us the line as-is, as the answer...sure seems this could be his last pitch.
I'm really wanting to be positive about this year but honestly, seeing this and the "we're putting the best guys in there to do the job" line again, has made me think that despite changes elsewhere nothing substantial has changed and the same coaching mistakes and frustrations from last year will show up again.
I think we have put enough talent on the team that we could still have a good chance of grabbing the final wildcard spot this year - despite our Oline woes. But, with this thin Oline and lack of depth, I could see us getting completely crushed if we do make the playoffs.
