Former Husky Donald Thomas Ready To Resume His Rise

Well, if this makes sense, D Thomas's injury and absence is allowing Sparano and Gugs to develop other Guard prospects like Frye and Berger and Lewis and Alleman.

Last season Thomas's injury really left us short handed, with Alleman being a street FA pick up, this season they have a chance to develop a couple of players and see who is the best out of the group to play backup Guard.

IMO, Alleman could surprise this preseason, he is a player with the physical tools, he has had a full season as a Phin and in the weight training program as well as all of the OTA's, if Alleman can play for us or not, we will know as he has no excuse not to be playing well.

Hard for an offensive lineman to play with an ailing pectoral muscle. He needs all his upper body strength and conditioning to be 100%. His timing with the other o-linemen won't come back without a full camp. Better to let him heal, go with one of the other guys, and let him work his way back in some time in mid-season.

I say give Thomas all the time he needs to heal the right way, and have him come back by the halfway point. That will give us good depth on the o-line heading into the second half of the season, when hopefully, we'll be making a serious run at the playoffs.

"padre31 wrote:

IMO, Alleman could surprise this preseason, he is a player with the physical tools, he has had a full season as a Phin and in the weight training program as well as all of the OTA's, if Alleman can play for us or not, we will know as he has no excuse not to be playing well.

I didn't really see any progress at all from Alleman last year. He got dominated by teams with bad defenses (i.e. Rams) and absolutely pummeled against better defenses (Jets, Ravens).

Had he progressed somewhat throughout the season in '08, I'd agree with you. But I saw nothing from him last year at all to have any confidence in him this year. I really hope he doesn't prove to be the best of the bunch of Frye and Berger because if so I think we're going to have the same problems we had last year running inside.

Donald Thomas...The myth The Legend continues.

"Eop05 wrote:

I didn't really see any progress at all from Alleman last year. He got dominated by teams with bad defenses (i.e. Rams) and absolutely pummeled against better defenses (Jets, Ravens).

Had he progressed somewhat throughout the season in '08, I'd agree with you. But I saw nothing from him last year at all to have any confidence in him this year. I really hope he doesn't prove to be the best of the bunch of Frye and Berger because if so I think we're going to have the same problems we had last year running inside.

His back has been injured so far this preseason as well, but the thing to remember is Alleman went from walking the sidewalks to starting for us, he never had the chance to learn our blocking scheme, that makes a difference.

"padre31 wrote:

His back has been injured so far this preseason as well, but the thing to remember is Alleman went from walking the sidewalks to starting for us, he never had the chance to learn our blocking scheme, that makes a difference.

No, but he did have a full year to learn the Saints blocking scheme and was put on waivers after one season, that says something IMO. I wouldn't expect much out of him, talent shows through regardless and Alleman looked completely overmatched and out of his league last year.

I think we could survive one interior OL injury but not two.

"like2god wrote:

No, but he did have a full year to learn the Saints blocking scheme and was put on waivers after one season, that says something IMO. I wouldn't expect much out of him, talent shows through regardless and Alleman looked completely overmatched and out of his league last year.

I think you maybe right L2G, not based on last season but based on Alleman being on the injury bikes during OTA's, that is the fastest ride off of the Dolphins roster I know of.

I know that he looked promising last year,but that's all we can say as fans.
The real issue will be if "the others" can step up to the plate at RG.I personally can't count on DT to be healthy.Even if he is,has he shown anyone that he can man the position long term? It remains to be seen.Stay tuned....

"djphinfan wrote:

Donald Thomas...The myth The Legend continues.

Hey, Thomas, Wake, Smith, White, Hope and Hype is the lifeblood of fandom Dj.

"padre31 wrote:

Hey, Thomas, Wake, Smith, White, Hope and Hype is the lifeblood of fandom Dj.

You got that right ComPadre, however can we get this cat to play an extended amount of football so we can get a grasp of this mans talent. He's such a freakin tease. lol

I agree with those who think we shouldn't expect a healthy, contributing Donald Thomas until mid-season.

On a side note, I see the Pats signed Al Johnson, who played Center for us a bit last year. I wouldn't doubt that Belichick has Johnson explaining every detail of the Wildcat plays and blocking scheme as we ran it in 2008.

No matter, our plays and blocking will be different this year. It does, however, mean that we'll have to change stuff up a little more. Including our calls and signals, but that's probably standard practice anyways.

"padre31 wrote:

Hey, Thomas, Wake, Smith, White, Hope and Hype is the lifeblood of fandom Dj.

You better hope it isn't Hype and Change, or else you're in for a big disappointment. :tongue2:

As far as Thomas goes, both of his injuries (over the past 2 years) can have a negative impact on his play even after he gets back on the field. I don't want him out there until he's ready, if that means that he starts the season on the sidelines, so be it. Coming back isn't good enough, coming back at 100% is what he should be shooting for. I wonder how much a young player, who is worried about losing his starting job, will try to hide from the medical staff in order to get back out on the field.

Thomas will return to start the season
there is plenty of depth on the offensive line

"the 23rd wrote:

Thomas will return to start the season
there is plenty of depth on the offensive line

Really? based on what?

Ndukwe is below average
Alleman is below average

Andrew Gardner and Nate Garner have yet to see the field in a real game.

Berger is a journeyman player who has never even been average enough to stick on a team.

Brandon Frye is another who may or may not be good, but nobody knows yet. What we do know is that he's in his 3rd year and he has yet to see any significant action where he has shown he can be a good lineman.

If D. Thomas turns out to be good and plays, then yes, we have a solid starting OL. But beyond starters it's a bunch of below average or unproven players. Plenty of depth, I do not see.

A couple of praising words from post practice interviews by the coaches isn't enough to sell me on these guys.

"the 23rd wrote:

Thomas will return to start the season
there is plenty of depth on the offensive line

23rd..you sure do have high hopes brother.

"like2god wrote:

You better hope it isn't Hype and Change, or else you're in for a big disappointment. :tongue2:

Nah, if I can survive a 1-15 season, with the 1 win coming in week 14, disappointment is no new situation for me.

As far as Thomas goes, both of his injuries (over the past 2 years) can have a negative impact on his play even after he gets back on the field. I don't want him out there until he's ready, if that means that he starts the season on the sidelines, so be it. Coming back isn't good enough, coming back at 100% is what he should be shooting for. I wonder how much a young player, who is worried about losing his starting job, will try to hide from the medical staff in order to get back out on the field.

We'll see, to me, my position has not changed, as long as Sparano and Co "know" they need a player for a position, we will be fine, it's the out of the blue injuries that really crush a unit.

Heck Faneca and Kendall (or whomever) are still out and about as UFA's if they don't like Berger, Quinn, Frye at RG, or if they don't feel Thomas will be back in time for the season.

23rd, the one thing we do not have on our line is depth. That is something this FO didn't address this off season. When/If Smiley or Grove go down with an injury, no one should feel comfortable.

It seems to me we moderately addressed the OL backup situation this offseason. Not with anyone high profile, but they at least brought in a couple more bodies and who knows, maybe our strength & conditioning program and OL coach can get these guys up to snuff. That's what I hope for. Heck, our best pickup this offseason just might be the new OL coach.

And I agree Thomas shouldn't come back until he's fully recovered and ready to be a mauler.

"djphinfan wrote:

23rd..you sure do have high hopes brother.

Long-Smiley-Grove-Thomas-Carey
the Orca-5 will eat defense alive

I believe by the end of the 2009 season our Offensive Line will be recognized as one of the best in the NFL & is destined to enter the books with the likes of the RedSkin's infamous Hogs because:

1) we have the best set of BookEnds in the NFL: Long & Carey
2) we acquired a top-tier NFL veteran Center during the off season upgrading significantly the position
3) we have two outstanding guards & excellent back-up depth for 2009
4) Coaching & development:

(A) Bill Parcells is the power House of the trenches. wherever he has established a team, he has assembled powerful Offensive & Defensive Lines.

(B) Our Head Coach is an Offensive Line Coach. He made his bones @ both the university level & in the NFL as a premier Offensive Lines Coach. Tony knows the Offensive line.

(C) The firing of Maser & hiring of Guglielmo. Coach G. was the Assistant Lines Coach for what is arguably the top Offensive Line in the NFL, the NYGiants. They will be coached up exceeding all expectation.

(D) there exists a template to build upon: 1. size & strength 2. character (they like leaders, especially team captains) 3. history: they trace them from their HS days playing football. 4. Consistency, love of game, team players that buy into a system & a willingness to work hard & through injuries.

(E) the front line has been assembled after diligent research. the home work was done. the Orca-5 have earned the stamp of approval of the Trifecta. Both Ireland & Sparano talk with great enthusiasm about what the Orca-5 will present to the league in 2009. With the obvious support of the Silent One behind it all.

Where's the problem?

"the 23rd wrote:

Where's the problem?

Well...

2) we acquired a top-tier NFL veteran Center during the off season upgrading significantly the position

Grove isn't a top tier center, at best he's a 2nd tier center and at worst he's an injury prone center who has failed to live up to his billing coming out of college. Is he better in the run game than Satele? Quite possibily, but he needs to prove that he can play a full season before I consider him to be a quality pickup.

3) we have two outstanding guards & excellent back-up depth for 2009

Smiley is tough as nails when fighting in the trenches, but he also has injury concerns. Thomas is a complete unknown who doesn't even have a full NFL game to his name. We have no idea what type of player he is or if he will be able to stand up to a full season of the NFL grind. All of the hype surrounding him came from the vets talking about his strength last offseason, that doesn't necessarily translate into a dominant player, or even a good one. Thomas is really at a disadvantage when it comes to expectations and his future, his injuries have given fans even more time to speculate and let their thoughts run wild as to what type of player he is. If he doesn't live up to those expectations, I'm afraid fans will turn on him and not give him time to develop. As far as depth, so far all I see is a few warm bodies, we know nothing of their actual ability and won't until the season starts.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I would caution not to get too carried away. :wink2:

"like2god wrote:

Well...

Grove isn't a top tier center, at best he's a 2nd tier center and at worst he's an injury prone center who has failed to live up to his billing coming out of college. Is he better in the run game than Satele? Quite possibily, but he needs to prove that he can play a full season before I consider him to be a quality pickup.

Smiley is tough as nails when fighting in the trenches, but he also has injury concerns. Thomas is a complete unknown who doesn't even have a full NFL game to his name. We have no idea what type of player he is or if he will be able to stand up to a full season of the NFL grind. All of the hype surrounding him came from the vets talking about his strength last offseason, that doesn't necessarily translate into a dominant player, or even a good one. Thomas is really at a disadvantage when it comes to expectations and his future, his injuries have given fans even more time to
speculate and let their thoughts run wild as to what type of player he is. If he doesn't live up to those expectations, I'm afraid fans will turn on him and not give him time to develop. As far as depth, so far all I see is a few warm bodies, we know nothing of their actual ability and won't until the season starts.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I would caution not to get too carried away. :wink2:

KC Joyner would disagree.

Stats guru says Miami Dolphins did well with signing of Jake Grove

With training camp opening Aug. 1, ESPN stats guru KC Joyner, whose analysis we often share here, gave us insight into the Dolphins' additions, plus an alarming Joey Porter statistic:

• Joyner's metrics reinforce that Miami got the better of the center swap with Oakland. (Miami signed Jake Grove, then traded Samson Satele to the Raiders for a sixth-round pick.) On running plays where Grove was at the point of attack in 2008, he had an exceptional 90.6 win percentage. That means 90.6 percent of the time, the defender that matched up against Grove did not stuff the hole or make contact with the runner at or behind the line of scrimmage. Those runs averaged 6.2 yards.

By contrast, Satele's win percentage was 79.5 percent, and runs behind him averaged 5.4 yards. Grove's success rate is among the NFL's best and higher than any Dolphins lineman in 2008. Grove also allowed just 1.5 sacks (both coverage sacks), Satele four.

I am concerned about injuries though.

"like2god wrote:

Well...

Grove isn't a top tier center, at best he's a 2nd tier center and at worst he's an injury prone center who has failed to live up to his billing coming out of college. Is he better in the run game than Satele? Quite possibily, but he needs to prove that he can play a full season before I consider him to be a quality pickup.

Smiley is tough as nails when fighting in the trenches, but he also has injury concerns. Thomas is a complete unknown who doesn't even have a full NFL game to his name. We have no idea what type of player he is or if he will be able to stand up to a full season of the NFL grind. All of the hype surrounding him came from the vets talking about his strength last offseason, that doesn't necessarily translate into a dominant player, or even a good one. Thomas is really at a disadvantage when it comes to expectations and his future, his injuries have given fans even more time to
speculate and let their thoughts run wild as to what type of player he is. If he doesn't live up to those expectations, I'm afraid fans will turn on him and not give him time to develop. As far as depth, so far all I see is a few warm bodies, we know nothing of their actual ability and won't until the season starts.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I would caution not to get too carried away. :wink2:

Always with the negative waves L2G, always with the negative waves..:lol: