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This is the first article in a seven-part series previewing Miami Dolphins. The articles will focus on dissecting the team’s most crucial positions before the start of training camp.
Part One: The Offensive Line
It is most thankless job in the NFL but Bill Parcells knows you cannot win with out a solid offensive line.
His first order of business as head of football operations was to build this team around gigantic offensive linemen, large men capable of uprooting solid timber. Parcells went so far as to hire his former offensive-line coach, Tony Sparano, to be head coach and to instill the fire and determination of an offensive lineman in the belly of a 1-15 loser.
This season the starters will try to stay healthy while the coaching staff looks for more versatility from the back ups. Justin Smiley is returning from a second straight season on the injured reserve list. After missing 15 games in 2008 Donald Thomas is injured again but might be ready for the start of the season.
The Center:
The Dolphins missed out on free-agent Jason Brown and had to settle for Jake Grove. After trading Samson Satele the team has few options if Grove struggles or gets injured. Here is the list of pro-bowl nose tackles that Grove will be facing this season: Jamal Williams, Marcus Stroud, Kris Jenkins, Vince Wilfork, John Henderson, and Casey Hampton.
The Dolphins are completely confident that Jake can do the job but after four unspectacular years in Oakland the Dolphins’ front office is taking a big gamble on an injury prone center.
The Guards:
The right guard position will be a wide-open competition when the Dolphins open training camp. Last season Donald Thomas started the first game, suffered a left foot injury and was placed on injured reserve list. Ikechuku Ndukwe moved in and started the rest of the way. This year Thomas is injured again with a pectoral tear.
Ndukwe should have an advantage but he will have to fend off Brandon Frye, Shawn Murphy, Mark Lewis, and possibly Joe Berger. Frye and Berger (mmm…Frye and Berger) add value with their flexability on the line. Murphy was inactive for all 16 games last year and he wants to prove he was worth selecting two rounds before Thomas.
When Thomas returns he may not return as the starter. The Dolphins have plenty of depth so they don’t have to rush him back. After missing last season and possibly the start of this season he still has to prove he can be an effective NFL lineman.
The left guard position should be locked down with Justin Smiley returning for his second season in the Miami. Smiley played well in 12 games last year before a right-ankle injury ended his season. He and rookie tackle Jake Long formed a powerful team on the left side. Andy Alleman stepped in after Smiley’s injury and the offense didn’t miss a beat.
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