The most asked question of any Dolphins observer since the last time the Dolphins played easily centers on what the team is about to do with its offensive line.
That's understandable since the Dolphins yielded five six sacks the last time they played (versus Baltimore) and that was the topic of much conversation among coaches and the personnel department both privately and publicly during the bye week.
Well, as of today's first day back to practice following the bye, the Dolphins answer to the question is simple: Nothing will be done.
No lineup change. No additions (as of this hour). No subrtractions (as of this hour).
Miami's offensive line is the same at practice today as it was last week, and the week before, and the week before and dating all the way back to the start of the season: LT Jonathan Martin, LG Richie Incognito, C Mike Pouncey, RG John Jerry, RT Tyson Clabo.
No changes.
Interesting because the Dolphins vowed to solve the issues that troubled their pass protection during the bye. "We’re going to spend a lot of time this off week, looking at what some of our issues are, even more specifically than we already have," offensive coordinator Mike Sherman said a week ago. "We’re going to fix what needs to get fixed, and I’m pretty confident that we can do that."
How that happened is beyond me. Obviously no personnel changes have been made. And as players haven't practiced since last Tuesday, there has been no on-field work to address the issues. So the only possibilities is the Dolphins might have made some schematic changes that we won't know about until Sunday's game against Buffalo.
(I doubt that, too.)
We'll see. But as of right now, the addressing of the leaky offensive line is at best a stealth project because no visible work or changes are apparent.
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On the injury front, the Dolphins are working today without middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who suffered a shoulder injury during the Baltimore game and indeed had to leave that game after about one quarter.
Cornerback Dimitri Patterson , who has missed four games with a groin injury, was on the field during the open portion of practice but didn't seem to be doing a whole lot. He didn't participate in many of the drills witnessed by the media.
Safety Chris Clemons, who has been nagged by little injuries, also was not working with the starters during period open to the media. No idea if this is indeed an injury issue or something else.
The backup safety is Jimmy Wilson.
[UPDATE: DT Paul Soliai and TE Michael Egnew also are not at practice today. No word why.]
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