Miami Dolphins Preview Part One: The Offensive Line

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. 

Alleman could face some competition from a cocky young miscreant named J.D. Quinn.   In 2006 Quinn was booted off the University of Oklahoma football team for accepting $8,137.17 while pretending to work at a car dealership.  He also was busted with two DUI offenses while at Oklahoma and a third DUI at the University of Montana.

Quinn doesn’t fit the label of a “Parcells’ Guy” he is reckless and unapologetic but name one NFL guard that ever felt sorry for his opponent and I’ll send you a lollipop.  If Sparano can get this kid to take 12 steps he could develop into a quality back up and maybe a starter down the road.

The Tackles:

Parcells’ best move of the 2008 offseason was drafting left tackle Jake Long with the first overall pick.  After a stellar rookie year he should be the anchor of this line for the next decade. 

No more Wade Smith, no more L.J. Shelton, no more Stockar McDougle or Spencer Folau, finally a left tackle that doesn’t cause laughter when you mention his name. 

Rookie Andrew Gardner enjoyed a great four-year career at Georgia Tech receiving first team all-ACC honors twice.   He missed the final four games of his senior year due to a torn labrum but playing for Paul Johnson at Georgia Tech means he knows how to run block.  If he continues to work on his pass protection the Dolphins could have another late round steal. 

Vernon Carey was moved back to right tackle to solidify the line.  He’s deeds were rewarded in the offseason as the Dolphins shelled out $42 million to keep the Miami native.  Carey has played his entire football career in Miami and it’s only fitting that he should finish it here.

Nate Garner was Carey’s back up in 2008.  He played in the “Wildcat” formation for two years at the University of Arkansas.  Last season he was inactive for all 16 games after being claimed off waivers from the Jets. 

SirVincent Rogers could challenge Garner for the roster spot but he has had injury problems in the past.  There is not much depth at the tackle positions so Rogers could make the final roster.  Parcells and Sparano love to breed competition within the roster and Rogers could take advantage of it like Donald Thomas did in 2008.

The success of the line will be determined by the play of Jake Grove.  He has his work cut out for him with all the pro-bowl nose tackles he will face this season.  If he fails the Dolphins will be kicking themselves for not paying the $7.5 million difference it would have taken to sign Jason Brown.

Check back on Friday July 10th for Part Two: The Defensive Line