Guard ... Where do we really stand today?

68 replies

PHPHINANALYSTforum_veteranOP
Apr 7, 2011, 12:57 PM

For the group, in order to help refine our draft options against 'need' - i'm continuing to do a few threads on a couple positions .... today its G.

Most likely our starting Guards today are Incognito and Jerry ...

We have Murtha as an ERFA
We have Garner as a RFA
We signed Barbre from SEA and GB
We have Feinga as a CFL developmental prospect
And McQuistan is a journeyman FA.

Incognito had a decent/good season and reminded everyone that he can also play C. At 6'3" - I would guess that this regime would prefer to have him at C, add the fact that he can get to the 2d level - where Berger doesn't.

Jerry did not fair well last year, and needs to show some serious growth to win a starting spot at G.

Garner has shown he can play G, C and even T - and assuming we resign him, will be the biggest challenger at 1 of the G spots.

Murtha is another T prospect that could transfer inside to G, but would need to get stronger.

Barbre was injured and not very successful at T, and is yet another prime candidate to move inside to G -- but for this regime, he would have to gain some weight ... as 305 is 'light' for this FO.

McQuistan was marginal at G ... but was needed last year .... a serviceable option - but not preferred.

So, what do the examiners think of Jerry, Murtha and Barbre ?? We know Murtha hasn't stayed healthy, and may be better suited at G. What about Barbre since we picked him up from SEA/GB late in the season??

All of these candidates are 6'4" and weigh ~ 320 (less Barbre) to fit the FOs requirements.

We know Garner can earn 1 of the G positions, if we resign him and if he is healthy.

We know Carey can play G as well, albeit, he wasn't spectacular his last go around there .... and add the fact that he'd have zero mobility and a big contract $$$$$.

What i will say is that i am not a fan of Vernon moving to G .... and that IF the intent is to move Incognito to C -- then unless Feinga shows some serious development, we are automatically left with Jerry and Garner. There is some comfort with Garner, provided he is healthy .... but big questions surround Jerry.

Who is ready to step in take charge of either G position ?? Anyone other than Garner, who is not guaranteed to return ?? If not, then it highlights again a 'need' at G that this regime has tried to fix on the cheap the last 2 years with mediocre at best results. What we know is that this FO does not like to choose Gs early in the draft .... but the lingering need may force their hand finally go big with either Pouncey or Watkins.

I won't cover C, since it is fairly obvious the 3 options there: Berger, Incognito and Draft (but we won't draft a C in RD1 ... less Pouncey -- but for G, not C).

the 23rdthe 23rdNew Member
Apr 7, 2011, 02:04 PM

we need a starting center

- Competition is the Elixir of Success -

GOgodolphinsNew Member
Apr 7, 2011, 02:12 PM

We need two new guards, even before Garner got injured he wasn't a sure lock to be the starter I think he should be the back up since he can play numerous positions and I don't think Jerry will be the answer for us at guard.

PandarillaPandarillaforum_veteran
Apr 7, 2011, 02:43 PM

Well, it's Tony's specialty, and he screwed the pooch by tinkering with the unit too much...Soooo.

Best possible draft is to trade down:
1. Pouncey
2. Hankerson
3. Devine

However, all these players are rising fast. So I would like to see a trade down

1. Hankerson
2. Devine
3. o-line depth ala Jerry

ToddsPhinsToddsPhinsNew Member
Apr 7, 2011, 02:57 PM

"Pandarilla wrote:

Well, it's Tony's specialty, and he screwed the pooch by tinkering with the unit too much...Soooo.

Best possible draft is to trade down:
1. Pouncey
2. Hankerson
3. Devine

However, all these players are rising fast. So I would like to see a trade down

1. Hankerson
2. Devine
3. o-line depth ala Jerry


Is Devine a Guard?.... or are you speaking of the little guy? lol.

PandarillaPandarillaforum_veteran
Apr 7, 2011, 03:16 PM

I'm talkin' Sproles 2.0

OOooh yeAh!

miamironmiamironforum_veteran
Apr 7, 2011, 05:05 PM

"godolphins wrote:

We need two new guards, even before Gardner got injured he wasn't a sure lock to be the starter I think he should be the back up since he can play numerous positions and I don't think Jerry will be the answer for us at guard.

Gardner was with the Bengals practice squad last time I looked

GOgodolphinsNew Member
Apr 7, 2011, 05:21 PM

"miamiron wrote:

Gardner was with the Bengals practice squad last time I looked

I meant Garner

PHPHINANALYSTforum_veteran
Apr 7, 2011, 05:28 PM

alen, i'm double tapping this here, in the Guard thread, but considering this FOs past practices .... the guys that leap out at me as 'meeting' size criteria are: Ijalana, Moffitt and Hurd .... being at least 6'4" and 320 ... Watkins is a little 'light' and Pouncey is both a tad short and light ... we do know this regime likes BIG Gs .... which is another reason why i think - if personnel supports it, Incognito moves to C ....

PHPHINANALYSTforum_veteran
Apr 7, 2011, 05:32 PM

23, while i do think Incognito will be our starting C - these threads are intended to help us work through RD1 options, and C just doesn't fit -- given the candidates. Pouncey 'could' end up being a C, but doubt he would start off there even if we did take him in RD1.

the only other positions i'll cover in separate threads are: WR, RB and OLB ....

DisgustipateDisgustipatesubscriber
Apr 7, 2011, 06:00 PM

Off-season wise, I think Left Guard is the key. That's the big money, big need. That's your pulling guard, the guy who is going to block your 3-techniques, who is going to pull most frequently, and in the Dolphins case, putting a quality guy next to Jake Long means they have the potential for a dominant "side" to run behind, which I think cannot really be underestimated.

Center would be nice, but people I think are inappropriately down on Joe Berger, and way too high on Richie Incognito's play at the position. Joe Berger's play at Center in 2009 after Jake Grove went down is better than anything Incognito has done in his professional career. Berger had an inconsistent season last year, and had a couple of very bad games, but from a season long standpoint I don't think you can call him horrible, and I think you need to focus on seeing how you can get his 2009 play back.

"Pandarilla wrote:

Well, it's Tony's specialty, and he screwed the pooch by tinkering with the unit too much...Soooo.


I don't for the life of me understand why people think this. They(Not Sparano, nor Ireland/Parcells who would actually make that decision) didnt decide to screw with a quality line out of boredom or discontent or whatever.

Jake Grove is out of the league. Justin Smiley is riding the bench on a team that expected him to be a starter. All indications that both had serious injuries that have seemingly ended or threatened their careers, and at very least are demonstrably unable to play at the high level they did in 2009.

There's certainly an argument that they should have steered away from injury prone players in the first place, but had they kept Grove or Smiley it wouldn't have likely helped anything.

PhinsRDbestPhinsRDbestforum_veteran
Apr 7, 2011, 07:08 PM

I'm leaning more towards the 3 tackles (Castanzo, Carimi, Solder) then any guard in the first round. Play em' at left guard

DisgustipateDisgustipatesubscriber
Apr 7, 2011, 08:05 PM

"PhinsRDbest wrote:

I'm leaning more towards the 3 tackles (Castanzo, Carimi, Solder) then any guard in the first round. Play em' at left guard


If BPA ends up being Tackle(Which I think is a possibility), I think you've got to consider it. Or at least Carey to Guard, he might translate a little bit better to the interior than one of those guys will.

I don't think moving Carey to Guard is an effective use of resources, but given the way the FA market/draft has panned out moving him to Guard and getting another Tackle might end up being the way to get the best five on the field.

MOmommabillyNew Member
Apr 7, 2011, 08:30 PM

"Disgustipate wrote:

Off-season wise, I think Left Guard is the key. That's the big money, big need. That's your pulling guard, the guy who is going to block your 3-techniques, who is going to pull most frequently, and in the Dolphins case, putting a quality guy next to Jake Long means they have the potential for a dominant "side" to run behind, which I think cannot really be underestimated.

Center would be nice, but people I think are inappropriately down on Joe Berger, and way too high on Richie Incognito's play at the position. Joe Berger's play at Center in 2009 after Jake Grove went down is better than anything Incognito has done in his professional career. Berger had an inconsistent season last year, and had a couple of very bad games, but from a season long standpoint I don't think you can call him horrible, and I think you need to focus on seeing how you can get his 2009 play back.


I don't for the life of me understand why people think this. They(Not Sparano, nor Ireland/Parcells who would actually make that decision) didnt decide to screw with a quality line out of boredom or discontent or whatever.

Jake Grove is out of the league. Justin Smiley is riding the bench on a team that expected him to be a starter. All indications that both had serious injuries that have seemingly ended or threatened their careers, and at very least are demonstrably unable to play at the high level they did in 2009.

There's certainly an argument that they should have steered away from injury prone players in the first place, but had they kept Grove or Smiley it wouldn't have likely helped anything.


The only way Berger is the starting center in 2011 is if John Jerry does not progress and they put Incognito there. Other wise, Incognito is the starting center for the foreseeable future for Miami. Problem is, I have no faith in Jerry at all progressing.

http://images.thephins.com/forums/signaturepics/sigpic3648_5.gif

MOmommabillyNew Member
Apr 7, 2011, 08:32 PM

"Disgustipate wrote:

If BPA ends up being Tackle(Which I think is a possibility), I think you've got to consider it. Or at least Carey to Guard, he might translate a little bit better to the interior than one of those guys will.

I don't think moving Carey to Guard is an effective use of resources, but given the way the FA market/draft has panned out moving him to Guard and getting another Tackle might end up being the way to get the best five on the field.


Dolphins are not moving Carey to any other position except offensive tackle. People talk about guards being able to pull and then people mention Carey at Guard ? Thats funny.

http://images.thephins.com/forums/signaturepics/sigpic3648_5.gif

DisgustipateDisgustipatesubscriber
Apr 7, 2011, 08:53 PM

"mommabilly wrote:

The only way Berger is the starting center in 2011 is if John Jerry does not progress and they put Incognito there. Other wise, Incognito is the starting center for the foreseeable future for Miami. Problem is, I have no faith in Jerry at all progressing.


If you say so, but I'm a little bit skeptical that you are going to be allowed to make that decision.

"mommabilly wrote:

Dolphins are not moving Carey to any other position except offensive tackle. People talk about guards being able to pull and then people mention Carey at Guard ? Thats funny.

A guard doesn't *have* to pull, and you're going a bit crazy if you think Vernon Carey can't pull, or if you think Guard is going have less of an athleticism requirement than Tackle. He probably shouldn't be used like Justin Smiley was, but there are guys much less athletically gifted than Carey who can do it. Rex freaking Hadnot can pull, he of 5.5 40 fame.

OzzyOzzyluxury_box
Apr 7, 2011, 09:22 PM

"mommabilly wrote:

Dolphins are not moving Carey to any other position except offensive tackle. People talk about guards being able to pull and then people mention Carey at Guard ? Thats funny.


Fat ass Jamie Nails thinks Carey could pull just fine. Look at some tape of Carey during running plays. Sometimes he is like 10 yards up field. He may not be the best pulling Guard but I think he can handle it. It's a position he's played before as well.

http://images.thephins.com/signaturepics/sigpic83_3.gif

Dol-Fan DupreeDol-Fan Dupreeforum_veteran
Apr 7, 2011, 09:26 PM

why are people so down on John Jerry improving?

Holland is a huge upgrade over McCain

I want to be alive, I am alive! Alive, I tell you! Mother, I love you, those are no longer just words. I want to hold you, I want to run in a stream, I want to taste ice cream but not just put it in my mouth and let it slide down my throat but really eat it. - Robot Morty

ToddsPhinsToddsPhinsNew Member
Apr 7, 2011, 09:29 PM

Here's the guy I want------ Harvey Dahl. Watch RG #73 paving the way for Michael Turner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duSIDpoUJMs

PhinsRDbestPhinsRDbestforum_veteran
Apr 7, 2011, 10:07 PM

"Dol-Fan Dupree wrote:

why are people so down on John Jerry improving?

Blame Donald Thomas.

JajJajNew Member
Apr 8, 2011, 03:36 AM

Jerry's pass protection enough he could play LG, Carey RG, and Carimi RT. At least that way you have better pass protection and the ability to overwhelm by sheer size in the front five. Pouncey though would be something at LG. Sign a top RB and add in one in the third and that's a heck of a running game.

Bring this man back into the fold if you want some real leadership on this team.

ClipseClipseNew Member
Apr 8, 2011, 08:13 AM

I think our interior line issues are overblown. I feel Nate Garner is a very good guard, and should start for us. I also really liked John Jerry in the draft, and feel he'll be a good guard eventually. Then there's Richie Incognito who I feel is better suited at Center. I'm not excited about our depth, but I'd feel good about that starting lineup. Just say no drafting an interior lineman in the 1st round. I'd be ecstatic if we somehow landed Orlando Franklin in round 3 though I doubt he falls that far.

ConuficusConuficusluxury_box
Apr 8, 2011, 08:47 AM

I still find it interesting that Sparano now mentions Jerry playing bent over. He played that way at Ole Miss and at the Senior Bowl last year, so............

He's always been a waist bender, and I doubt it will all of a sudden stop.

http://www.thephins.com/forums/showthread.php?48921-Con-s-Draft-Recap&highlight=

GOgodolphinsNew Member
Apr 8, 2011, 09:10 AM

"Jaj wrote:

Jerry's pass protection enough he could play LG, Carey RG, and Carimi RT. At least that way you have better pass protection and the ability to overwhelm by sheer size in the front five. Pouncey though would be something at LG. Sign a top RB and add in one in the third and that's a heck of a running game.

Sparano already said Carey is not moving to guard

Dol-Fan DupreeDol-Fan Dupreeforum_veteran
Apr 8, 2011, 10:19 AM

"Conuficus wrote:

I still find it interesting that Sparano now mentions Jerry playing bent over. He played that way at Ole Miss and at the Senior Bowl last year, so............

He's always been a waist bender, and I doubt it will all of a sudden stop.

http://www.thephins.com/forums/showthread.php?48921-Con-s-Draft-Recap&highlight=


That is why he wants him to work on his core.

Holland is a huge upgrade over McCain

I want to be alive, I am alive! Alive, I tell you! Mother, I love you, those are no longer just words. I want to hold you, I want to run in a stream, I want to taste ice cream but not just put it in my mouth and let it slide down my throat but really eat it. - Robot Morty

Log in to reply.