New-Look Dolphins Offensive Line Struggles in Win over Bills
When the Miami Dolphins ended their three-game losing streak to the Buffalo Bills in Week 11 with an impressive 22-9 victory, it was a statement that this isn’t the same old Dolphins that squander away opportunities like they had in years past. With a good performance from the defense and an excellent game by quarterback Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins vaulted themselves into the thick of the AFC playoff race.
The positional unit under the biggest microscope outside of quarterback for the Dolphins roster is offensive line. That’s for good reason, as the Dolphins have worked hard to resolve the issues that plagued the team in 2013. All eyes were on the trenches as the Dolphins’ line had a chance at redemption against the Bills’ terrific defensive front.
Of course, Miami had to play without Branden Albert because of his season-ending knee injury. As unfortunate as the injury is, it’s next man up, and the games don’t stop because a great player suffered such misfortune.
Miami’s coaching staff felt that its best lineup without Albert and left guard Daryn Colledge would feature Ja’Wuan James at left tackle, Shelley Smith at left guard, Samson Satele at center, Mike Pouncey at right guard and Dallas Thomas kicking out to right tackle.
The results were disappointing for the unit as a whole, but that doesn’t mean certain individuals didn’t play better than others. On the next few slides we take a look at how each starter played against the Bills.
Let’s start on the left side of the line and work toward the right.
The Rookie Proves Himself
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Facing Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes is a difficult task for any left tackle. Now factor in that rookie Ja’Waun James started his first game at left tackle since high school, and those orders were daunting as Miami played its most important game of the season.
James had moments of good and bad against Hughes, who has 7.5 sacks in 2014. Hughes registered four quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), but James was otherwise excellent for the offense’s other 35 passing dropbacks.
To line up against one of the better edge-rushers in the league while adjusting his muscle memory to learn a new position and only “lose” on four pass plays is a very good start at left tackle. Better yet, James was key on several productive running plays.
James isn’t a great run-blocker yet because he does not have the leg drive or play with enough leverage when pushing downfield, but those should improve as he bulks up over the offseason. But he is smart and athletic, which helps him win in space and locate near defenders to seal for his running back.
James will face other elite edge-rushers in coming weeks, such as Von Miller up next. The drop-off from Albert to James is present, but it's not as drastic as some may have feared.
Shelley Smith Puts on a Clinic
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With Daryn Colledge out due to a back injury, Shelley Smith returned to the lineup for the first time as a starter since Week 2. He had been dealing with injuries himself, but he looked 100 percent healthy against Buffalo.
Smith was the best Dolphins lineman, showing why the team initially named him a starter in Week 1. His presence in the running game was a major reason why the team logged 125 rushing yards on 24 carries. That 5.2 average broke a slump of three weeks where Miami’s running game went stagnant and less productive.
His quickness and ability to lead block are major advantages against guys such as Marcell Dareus, who are slow but powerful. Surprisingly, Smith did not allow any interior pressure in pass protection in addition to his run contributions.
Moving forward it seems that Smith is the best option to start at left guard. Colledge has been decent as a pass-blocker this year, but he offers very little in the run game. The Dolphins should continue to prioritize their identity as a running team, thus needing Smith in the game to be most effective.
Samson Satele Holds on Another Week
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As the center in the Dolphins’ zone-blocking scheme, Satele is often only asked to be a help-blocker. This is why the position is somewhat devalued, as he isn’t asked to play as a single blocker as often as a guard is.
Satele has been a nice addition for Miami, as he’s been reliable and unaffected by the injury bug. That continuity is something the Dolphins have needed until this point.
Since he does not have many one-on-one situations, Satele is rarely accredited with pressures allowed. But he has been susceptible on stunts and delayed blitzes this season, lacking awareness and overall quickness.
Buffalo was unable to take advantage of his limitations, as Satele didn’t allow a single pressure or hit on Tannehill. He may only be on the roster for 2014, but the reunion between Miami and Satele has gone better than the first stint Satele had in South Beach.
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Pouncey Continues to Struggle
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The Dolphins have played six games since Pouncey returned from hip surgery in training camp, and the results have been very un-Pouncey-like. Prior to his injury, Pouncey played center for Miami, and although he wasn’t an elite player there, he was a very good pass-blocker.
There’s been enough time that has passed since his return to the lineup to stop using injuries and rust as an excuse. Quite simply, Pouncey has been a major liability for the Dolphins’ offensive line. Satele is often giving him the help as a blocker, which shouldn’t be the case.
Pouncey graded terribly by Pro Football Focus, with a minus-3.3 grade for allowing four quarterback pressures. Unlike James at left tackle, Pouncey is a veteran who knew his role against Kyle Williams would be a huge point of emphasis for the offense. Yet he looked overwhelmed physically for large stretches of the game.
Miami should consider moving Pouncey back to center and allow rookie Billy Turner to play right guard. The trio of Smith, Pouncey and Turner would be phenomenal as run-blockers. As pass-protectors they are no worse than what is currently starting.
We’ll see what ends up happening on that front, but one thing is for sure. If Pouncey wants to get paid when his contract is up after next season, he needs to step his performance up.
Mario Williams Bullies Dallas Thomas
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Just as Dallas Thomas was settling in at guard, the Albert injury led to the Dolphins’ coaching staff putting him back at right tackle. The result against Buffalo was troubling, but predictable. Williams was credited with 3.5 sacks of Buffalo’s five total sacks.
Williams is one of the premier power rushers in the NFL, and Thomas has never been known as a power blocker. He has more finesse and is only at right tackle because of emergency.
His situation is going to be a must-watch moving forward because Miami has Nate Garner, Jason Fox and even Turner on the bench as other options at right tackle. Thomas is a better athlete than Garner and Fox, but he is not a technician and lacks bulk.
Moving Forward
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Miami enjoyed a huge victory over the Bills last Thursday night with just enough offense to get the job done. The offensive line had moments of solid play but was far from consistently good. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill will continue to improve and thrive should the line get better individual play.
Exposure to such talented rushers will be a good experience for the young Dolphins line as the season progresses, and Miami is unlikely to face such a good defensive front again this regular season.
If Miami’s weakest positional unit can play better than it did in Week 11, this is a team that looks like one of the more well-rounded one in the entire NFL. There’s little time for that development to take place with just six weeks left in the season.
All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com.
Ian Wharton is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting, and analyst for eDraft.
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