Last time, I wrote about the wide receiver position. So now, it's time for the backs and offensive line. Training Camp Battle #3 - Running Backs Combatants: Patrick Cobbs, Lex Hilliard, Jalen Parmele Overview: Early last year, after a few games, the running game was a highlight. Not just a highlight relative to the Dolphins' season, but a highlight, period. Ronnie Brown was putting together a great season with 119 rushing attempts, 602 yards, averaging 5.1 yards a carry, and four rushing touchdowns, along with 39 receptions, 389 yards, and one touchdown. Then he went down with an ACL tear after making a tackle after an interception. And the running game started to resemble our season. Then Ricky Williams was reinstated, and people hoped he would give our running game a boost. Unfortunately, he went down with a pectoral injury in his first game back from suspension. This offseason, Samkon Gado and Jesse Chatman were left unsigned, and Lorenzo Booker, who a lot of people had high hopes for (and rightfully so) was traded to Philadelphia for their fourth round pick. Then two backs were added in the draft in Jalen Parmele and Lex Hilliard. My Predicted Winners: Jalen Parmele, Lex Hilliard My Reasoning: In Dan Henning's system, the power running game is emphasized. This puts Parmele ahead of the game, being a player with a power, speed, and size. Hilliard brings size and seems to be a vicious player. Someone that could be used on special teams. Training Camp Battle #4 - Offensive line Overview: During the offseasons, there were a lot departures from the offensive line, including Joe Toledo, Rex Hadnot, Anthony Alabi, and L.J Shelton. The moves left only two starting caliber players on the line: Vernon Carey and Samson Satele. However, linemen were added via free agency and draft. First to be added was guards/centers Ikechuku Ndukwe and Trey Darilek. Then came the big name (in free agency), Justin Smiley. Then, in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Big Three went in, bent on building the line on both sides of the ball. They drafted offensive tackle Jake Long with the first of pick of the draft, and offensive guards Shawn Murphy and Donald Thomas in the fourth and sixth round, respectively. After the draft, undrafted free agents were in centers Matt Spanos and Mike Byrne, and tackles Daren Heerspink and Dan Gore, as well as veteran lineman Steve McKinney, brother of former Dolphins' center Seth McKinney. Combatants for the "other" guard spot (I don't whether Smiley will be a left guard or right guard): Ikechuku Ndukwe, Trey Darilek, Shawn Murphy, Donald Thomas, Steve McKinney My Winner: Steve McKinney My Reasoning: Steve McKinney is the only guard out of the forementioned group with consistent starting experience in the NFL, starting as a left guard for three seasons for the Indianapolis Colts and starting at center for the Houston Texans. All of the other combatants either are rookies or haven't stuck with a team for long. As always, please discuss.
Nice write-up bro. I think the Running Back situation isn't being watched as closely as it should be. We essentially have a surplus of RB's on this team and need to figure out who needs to be let go. The only problem is that they are either very talented or are very young. We have a total of seven backs (5 Running Backs and 2 Fullbacks). They are Patrick Cobbs, Ronnie Brown, Jalen Parmele, Ricky Williams, Reagan Mauia, Lex Hilliard and Boomer Grigsby. We all know Ronnie and Ricky will make the team. Ronnie will obviously make it because he is the franchise back and Ricky has been VERY impressive this off-season. But who else makes it? Most teams carry around three RB's and 1 or 2 FB's. Two of the RB's are settled with Ricky and Ronnie. The third one in my opinion will be Jalen Parmele. There was a great gif made by CT that showed Parmele's talents. He has power and speed. I want to say that he reminds me of a poor man's Jonathan Stewart who is in my opinion the best RB in this draft class. With Ronnie being unhealthy and Ricky playing for the first time in a season + (only had six snaps last year), I think we will have to keep another RB, which equals out to four backs. Those four imo will be Ronnie, Ricky, Parmele, and Hilliard. Hilliard is a pick that many don't understand including me but he's here and has talent comparable to Marion Barber III. With that set, lets look at the FB's. The Fullback position is very talented. We have last years starter Regan Mauia who is a fan favorite and is a good player but he got into some trouble this off-season and no one knows what will happen with that. He won't get suspended but there could be something to come out of that incident. Next, we have Grigsby who is a guy we are all pushing for. He plays with heart and is a tremendous tackler. A former LB converted to FB is also a special teams standout. I really think that we could end up cutting Mauia or keeping both. I think this will be one battle to keep an eye on in Training Camp. At the Guard, we have Shawn Murphy, Donald Thomas and Steve McKinney. Thomas won't start as he is very raw and needs to develop. Shawn Murphy is young and has a lack of experience. McKinney is the opposite of both. He has experience. I think that we will see McKinney starting for a half of dozen weeks and then we could see Murphy inserted into the lineup.
Nice write up bro.. Im pretty excited to see what Parmele can do for us come TC and pre-season games. He sounds like a good pick for us to replace Booker after the trade. Sure booker had speed and moves, but Parmele has speed and strength. I LOVE watching running backs plow over defensive players. Hopefully he can do that. Same with Hilliard. Id really like to see Shawn Murphy and/or Donald Thomas work out for us too. Sure late round picks are a bit of a stretch sometimes, but it sure would be nice to have hit it right on these two guys this year. It will go a long, long ways in this rebuilding effort of ours.
Thomas and Murphy seem too raw for my tastes, maybe just a rank above sushi in terms of rawness. If McKinney can stay healthy, I think he's a lock for roster because of his versatility. I recall an ESPN little article on that. He can play C, RG, LG and if he can come back to his Pro Bowl caliber play, we've got a real hardy veteran to help out this OL.
