Reasons the OL struggled in scrimmage

Yes, the defense got the better of the offense in Saturday afternoon's scrimmage. Yes, it all started along the line of scrimmage where, outside of right tackle Vernon Carey and left tackle Jake Long, the offensive line looked like so much swiss cheese for a better-looking defensive front.

What did you expect?

There are reasons the DL and OLBs looked better than the OL. The reasons go well beyond talent.

1. The coaching staff has been mixing and matching players at both guard spots and at center. Andrew Hartline, an undrafted free agent last year, got first-team snaps last week. He got first-team snaps in the scrimmage. He also had a couple of low shotgun snaps, one that resulted in a blown play. The starting guards were rookie John Jerry at right guard and Donald Thomas at left guard. Bottom line? Look for the mixing and matching to settle down starting this week. The coaching staff is looking for players to start separating from one another. The staff is looking to see if certain players can compete against better competition. But the staff is also looking for a line that can begin to come together as the Buffalo regular-season opener looms closer. So look for that thought to become the priority pretty soon.

2. The defensive line is pretty good. One forgets the Dolphins have used many resources in the form of free agent signings and draft picks on the offensive line. They've used as much or more resources on the defensive line and outside linebackers. The DL and OLBs should be darn good and give the new OL fits. They should give any OL fits.

3. The coaching staff threw curveballs during the scrimmage. I counted three cornerback blitzes. I counted two safety blites. I counted three ILB blitzes. It's kind of early for a newly formed OL to pick those up seamlessly. I'm not sure they were even aware those were coming or allowed in the scrimmage. For the most part the recognition was good.

Anyway, the team gets back at it this morning. I'll have a new post up by early afternoon when coach Tony Sparano talks.

In the meantime, if you wish to talk Dolphins football and have any questions for me, you can listen and call my radio show. I'm on 640 Sports here in South Florida from 6 to 10 a.m. You can call the show toll free at 888-640-9385.

Comments

[Marco]

dont read too much into all the media reports about shaky OLine, Henne or Brandon Marshall "disaster"...

thats typical Sparano...they use that kind of stuff to make the guys work harder and motivate them.

OLine will be Top 5 this year
Henne will be just fine
Marshall might not have 100 catches BUT +10 TDs

and the only thing i do read into the scrimmage report is...

OUR DEFENSE WILL KICK ASS and we will be able to put pressure on the QB. the only question mark for the moment is the ability to stop the run.

[Ripp]

Great insight Armando! Finally someone in the media uses some football intelligence rather then making a mountain out of a mole hill just to draw readers. Perfect example is the Dez Bryant pads carrying fiasco. I feel that that whole thing made the media look bad.

[Belgian Fin Fan]

I think the unit has upgraded since last year and will kick ass. Keep Ronnie healthy and we'll have a top 5 running game. And to close F#$@ the Jets... www.fantasyballz.com for a free fantasy football magazine.

[DaMikey]

We are gonna surprise the league this year.

[Home]

Excellent Job Armaando
Agree with above blogger on finally a sportswriter that offers an Intelligent point of view, instead of a sky is falling, time to panic article

Yes
The D is usually ahead of the O at this point
Yes there has been a good bit of mixing & matching on the O-line with the "Rook Big John"
& undrafted FA Andrew Hartline & DT was injured his whole 1st year, Injured most of last years camp and then was fatigued last season only playing bout half the time

Couple that with the Vets really not taking this too seriously
After all It was only another camp practice to them
It Is Us, the fans & media that get all excited and hyped bout " an early camp practice"

Also Home has a consipracy theory on Brangetterdon Marshall being told to "lighten up" for this Lil scrimmage
After all Marshall has been humiliating r CBs
Saw the lob ball on 1st play to Marshall against sean
sean stayed with Marshall and appeared to have made his first, one & only play so far this camp (other than his signature play of laying on his belly on the ground after being burned and slapping the turf in disgust at himself) a PD

After that Marshall dropped another couple catches he usually would have easily made
Good psyche by Sparano
U know the CBs all depressed and w/ No Confidence is no way to start preseason

Major concern is
Jack@ss Loudmouth sean started running his big stupid undeserved mouth again after being a goat all camp and getting 0 Ints last year

sean spouts out
"I made a huge stop on the 1st play against Marshall"
"I set the tone for the defense in that scrimmage"
"After that everything was downhill for the defense, after the big play I made"

R U Kidding Me !
Who Is This 2 Bit Punk?

Sparano disgusted with poser boy & his punk mouth, but refraining from killing this goofy chump says,
" I don`t think that set the tone for the defense" (usual Sparano tackfulness)

Don`t think Brangetterdon Marshall appreciated that poser boy comment
So
No More Bones for sean

Time to take him back to school

[Home]

Could be some rough weather tonight at Chemtrail Death stadium for the much ballyhooed night practice
and Ross Miami Dolphin marketing & entertainment blitz

Will not be able to get to Chemtrail Death stadium in time for the 3-ring circus practice
as I`m over by Boca & Palm beach County

Will look forward to your reports Armando or Tweets and all Miami Herald Dolfan bloggers attending bout the ballyhooed marketing bonanza(possible rainstorm)practice

***** The Dynasty Be Fins! *****

[ALoco]

THE DEFENSE IS COMING TO IT'S OWN SLOWLY ,GREAT ARTICLE REMINDS ME OF THE OLD ARMANDO. I AM GOING TO LISTEN YOUR RADIO SHOW TODAY .

[Home]

Good Morning Aloco
Yes
The D is coming into it`s own
Lot of great gourmet ingredients to cook with
and Mike Nolan Pick up was enormous

Should be very exciting with new aggressive attacking Dolphins D

Will also be listening to Armando when possible today as I will be on the road often today

Have not caught his show yet
But will tune in in bout 30 min

Have a great day, ALoco

[carlito from golfito]

Last time I checked the defense was part of the team too, and them doing well is not a bad thing for the Dolphins

[Home]

Good Morning carlito

Am currently tuned in to Armandos radio show
Just read your text question on the air, live

Good Positive stuff by Armando on Cam Wake

try to lighten up on being srcastic w/other bloggers

actually makes Miami Dolphin blogging fun

Have a HAARPy day carlito

***** The Dynasty be Fins! *****

[1701972]

how can we listen to your show on a blackberry?

[Poizen]

Mando, what are we doing about our return game? And I understand Henne completes 75% of his passes, but the other 25% look REALLy bad?

If this is true that is not good!

[Cuban Menace]

Guy's keepin mind that defense always betters the offense the 1st few weeks of pratice, dont read anything in to it.... IMHO..

[Home]

After two days of sulking about Sean Smith's great scrimmage

I have decided to come back and show my face

I know I know

I am embarassed but please forgive me

Home-O The Total Idiot

[Mark in Toronto]

ALoco, you listening to Mando this morning? He's much better than he was on Friday. Maybe I will give him another chance.

Just one slight criticism, the word "bro" is the mating call of the stupid. You aren't on Jersey Shore!

[SureShockMiami]

our d-line looks huge out there i expect big things from them this year

grant was a great pick up

and in my opinion maybe theyre were just testing the waters out there... but i defintiely see us using more blitz packages out there

[SureShockMiami]

besides having arguably one of the best ilb's in the game

our LB crew looks to be definitely upgraded

but only time will tell

im hyped to see our pre season games

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Salguero

I am currently listening to you on the Radio and you guys sure do mention the Yankee's alot for a Miami Dolphins sports show.

If I was Maverick Carter and I represented you this would be my advice to you.

If you raise your voice and spit as you talk, your point comes across alot better.

Less Cowbell and more slide whistle.

Its never the wrong time to use a whoopie cushion.

These things work Mr. Salguero...don't take my word for it, just ask Dan Patrick or Peter King...these 2 literary giants have taken my advice for years.

Soiled :)

[Gian]

True Armando. They need to settle that OL A.S.A.P. I'm thinking they'll probable have something later this week, but there might be one last shuffle after the first pre-season game.

I expect a very competitive scrimmage tonight.

[ALoco]

MARK, I AM TRYING HARD TO LIKE THE SHOW BUT YOU CAN TELL IT'S LOW BUDGET SHOW.I AM OKY SO FAR W/IT .

PEOPLE USE THE WORD (( PRO )) TO REFER TO CRIMINALS AND HOOKERS .

[ALoco]

YOU CAN TELL ARMANDO IS VERY GOOD AT SOME POINT IN THE SHOW WHEN THEY SPEAK OF THE DOLPHINS .

[beerndrums]

Don't Be So Hard On Yourself Home.
Hey Armando,I'd Like To Hear How David Martin Is Doing So Far.I'm Hoping He Can Respond Quickly To Put Pressure On The Other TE's.If He Does,What Do You See Happening With The Other TE's?
I Bet That Haynos Gets His Walking Papers.Any Thoughts?

[Mark in Toronto]

True ALoco, maybe today's show is a lot better than Friday's is because they are talking a lot more about football and the Dolphins. Friday was a lot of Miami Heat talk and he seemed to get carried away a little bit. Much more grounded and poignant today.

[Cuban Menace]

I'am with Uncle Soiled, If Bruce Dickinson sez "Guy's a got a fever, and the only prescription is more Cowbell".......You better use more cowbell Mando......

[ALoco]

i love to read UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE GIVING ARMANDO AN ADVICE HOW TO DO HIS WORK ......REAL FUNNY .

[Mark in Toronto]

Hey ALoco, I have a job!!!!

[Bruce Dickinson]

" I Gotta have more cowbell fellows"

[Bruce Dickinson]

"Guy's I Gotta Have More Cowbell"

[ALoco]

MARK....NOT YOU

[kris]

i love to read UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE GIVING ARMANDO AN ADVICE HOW TO DO HIS WORK ......REAL FUNNY

Outstanding ALOCO...post of the day so far....Cow bell Stuff is good too. One of the best SNL without a doubt.

FEED THE WOLF!

[Cuban Menace]

Who down there in south Fla. will be attending the Fins pratice at Chem-trail stadium??(Your welcome Home)

[Conuficus]

All of the 'curveballs' are staples of what Nolan does on defense. He typically will blitz his safeties an average of 12 times a game. At some point the defense must practice these elements as well.

I don't know if curveball is the right word, especially if the defense is only doing what it will do normally.

[Grrreatdane]

ChemTrail Death Stadium I am going to go unless it looks like it's going to rain all night! So we will see but I have every intention of making it!

[Mark in Toronto]

Conuficus, is that right? 12 times a game???? That sounds like an awful lot and quite a departure from their last few DCs.

[Grrreatdane]

Home,

Tell the government to ease off on the HAARP rays over the ChemTrail Death Stadium for the evening so we wont get wet tonight! Cause I wanna go and will report what I see from my iphone...

[Grrreatdane]

Thats what this young defence needs is cordinator that gets up and goes after the offence! They need to be proactive not reactive! So excited to see what he can do with these young bucks!

[Cuban Menace]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DANE.............. DONT BRING OUT HOME>>>> WHY BRO, WHY...

[ALoco]

OK ,GUYS I AM GOING TO WORK TO PAY FOR YOUR TAXES AND YOUR SS .

[Cuban Menace]

Aloco, What are SS Taxes????

[Conuficus]

@ Mark in Toronto,

Watch this.....just examples of what we'll see this year in terms of formations etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZAhaCPKYyc

[Mark in Toronto]

Stay Single????

[Conuficus]

Also, if the defense is on the field for around 60 plays per game, that is about average IIRC. If I'm wrong some one please correct me.

[NHFINSFAN]

Hey conuficus...90% of the plays on that youtube video show bad formations by the defense...yet I recall the broncos were 7-1 at one point last season...what are you trying to say?

[Conuficus]

@ NH,

Nothing. The level of play by the defensive line was atrocious, but remember Denver replaced every starter on that unit. I would wager that we have a better defensive line than Denver did last year.

One thing of note is that the D-line rarely ever got the QB themselves, you see them push the OL backwards, but they don't disengage much at all. That is an issue.

The formations just show that we will put different looks out there and we will bring safeties on the blitz. Nolan likes to do that. He just does.

[Cuban Menace]

Yeah I too remember Denver starting out at 7 and 1,And said "They goota Be The worst 7 and 1 team ever, What did they finish 8 and 8????

[band wagon express]

i got a fever
and the only prescription is more cowbell
hows it going guys.

[Cuban Menace]

BWE, Bruce was already by here expressing the need for more cow bell......

[NHFINSFAN]

Hey...I'll take 7-1 to start the season!
Agreed the D-line appears to get the initial "push" and if the QB is a vet (like Romo) he will quickly release it to the open receiver or dump it off to the RB in the slot.
Eitherway, if your LB's are quality players, you will give up large chunks of yardage....I believe we have a great corps of LB's and will make the plays.

[Cuban Menace]

Yeah but NH,Starting at 7 and 1 and finishing at 8 and 8 is like having phone sex with a deaf mute.......

[Cuban Menace]

Not that I'd know anything about that....

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Aloco

"OK ,GUYS I AM GOING TO WORK TO PAY FOR YOUR TAXES AND YOUR SS ."

Thanx man...your the greatest...could you also bring home some Ice cream and rolling papers on your way home from work...that would be real swell.

Soiled :)

[Cuban Menace]

Uncle Soiled, I see the "Harvesting" has started with your last post....LOL :)

[Waterboy]

Thought Id share this nugget:

According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 49ers WR/KR Ted Ginn "has been good for about a drop a day" in camp.
The SF Chronicle had called Ginn "impressive," but the Press Democrat's Phil Barber mentions Ginn among his 49ers "players on the decline." Ginn was not prone to drops at Ohio State or during his first two NFL seasons, so his problem appears to be mental. He'll struggle for a big offensive role.

[Grrreatdane]

I Would love a 7-1 start... I'll take that any day just as long as we don't go 1-7 for the rest of the season!

[MJZ]

We are gonna surprise the league this year.

Posted by: DaMikey | August 09, 2010 at 06:24 AM

I believe DaMikey is correct, the Fins are definitely under the radar and will surprise people this year.

But what do you expect when the loud mouthed, over hyped Jets and the Brady led Pats are in our same division.

The Fins will get plenty of hype and coverage if they come out of the gate winning.

What most of the league forgets is that the Fins were 4th in the league in rushing last year, wihtout Ronnie for half the season and with 8 men in the box most of the time.

And the D? Not terrible last year, ranked 16th. With upgrades like Dansby, Odrick, Misi and our two new veteran CB's along with Nolan's schemes this D should be top 10. Not to forget Ellis and Douglas, definite upgrades.

I consider our two CB's to be new. They will be different players this year from last and their improved play will help this D big time. They are now veterans, and should play like veterans.

[Grrreatdane]

Did they say how many times he dove out of bounds like a scared cat to avoid contact? Or if he has even stepped foot in between the hash marks anytime other than warm up? Cause I'd be curious to see those stats!

[Cuban Menace]

Water did they mention his protensity to go toward the sideline like he was a metal object and the sideline was a magnet ???

[Cuban Menace]

WOW, Dane, Almost identical posts.,.....

[Waterboy]

Cuban,

Mostly all drops in the middle of the field.

He made a one handed catch while standing on the sideline after a Pat White type throw was heading to the bleachers.

Regards

[Cuban Menace]

LOL water, That's Ted(Hands of stone)Ginn at a glance.....