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Miami Dolphins 2008 Projected Starters: 2007 Injuries: 2007 Statistics:
ALY (Adjusted Line
Yards): It is an alternate measure for yards per carry developed by Football Outsiders
that takes into account various factors including down, distance, situation and opponent. The Dolphins selected Jake Long
with the first overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and there is no doubt that he will be
the starting left tackle on opening day. Long is very strong and has a very large wingspan
at 6’7” and 315 lbs. He is an excellent run blocker because of his strength and
intensity. His aggressiveness which serves him well most of the time will however
occasionally play against him when opposed to more experienced defensive linemen. Long
will however have to improve his technique as a pass protector and find ways to make up
for his lack of agility and slower feet. There is no doubt that Long was the right
selection for the Dolphins and he will be the anchor of this offensive line for years to
come. On the other side will be Vernon Carey, the Dolphins first round pick in 2004. Carey
played left tackle in 2007 and did an adequate job but he is much better on the right side
where he played in 2006. He is a big body at 6’5” and 335 lbs who, like Long, is
an excellent run blocker. The downside with him is that he lacks agility and has very slow
feet so struggled in pass protection against the top defensive ends in the NFL. Now that
he is being moved back to the right side, Carey will look much better as a pass blocker
and will be able to focus on his run blocking. The Dolphins also improved at
guard in the off-season by signing Justin Smiley from the 49ers to a five-year deal.
Smiley is quite athletic for a guard and has the ability to pull to the outside in order
to block. He is pretty strong and has quick feet but lacks technique in pass protection
and will get overpowered at times. Smiley is a very good run blocker and an average pass
protector, a nice upgrade for this line. Smiley is a natural at right guard but could be
moved to left guard in order to have a veteran presence beside the rookie Long. The other
guard spot will be the weak link of this offensive line and will be a competition between
three players. The leader for the job is 2007 fourth round pick Shawn Murphy, a very
strong guard at 6’4” and 320 lbs. He is a smart player with excellent work ethic
so he will improve rapidly but his technique and footwork are very lacking for the moment.
He is expected to compete with 2007 sixth round pick Drew Mormino and 2008 sixth round
pick Donald Thomas. Mormino spent the entire 2007 season on the injured reserve because of
a shoulder injury. He is big and strong which makes him a decent run blocker but
doesn’t have the agility to block to the outside or to adjust in pass protection.
Thomas could surprise many because he is very strong and agile for a lineman but has
limited experience. It will be an interesting battle to follow in training camp but there
is no doubt that this will be the weak spot of this line. The center position is much
clearer with Samson Satele as the second year starter. Satele was a second round pick in
2007 and the bright spot for the Dolphins line in his rookie season. He is not very big at
only 6’3” and 300 lbs but he has a lot of awareness which is the best quality
for a center. Satele has quick feet and if he continues to improve has the potential to be
a Pro Bowl caliber player in a few years with similar qualities as Jeff Saturday of the
Indianapolis Colts. 2008 Outlook: Information provided by members of FinHeaven.com |
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