John Jerry: A Closer Look

Continuing in the series of looking at the Miami Dolphins 2010 draft picks this week we focus on third round pick John Jerry. The first thing that

you notice about Jerry is that he is a massive man, standing 6’6” and weighing 335 pounds. However, Jerry is more than just a big body that can seemingly move mountains. John Jerry was yet another team captain picked by the Dolphins. Last year one of the criticisms of the Dolphins was the lack of leadership. That issue was addressed in the 2010 draft. While these players make take a year or two to become leaders on this team, leaders they will become.

Jerry finished 2009 as a first, second and third team All-American by several different associations. He was a four year starter and has a total of 46 starts in his four years at Ole Miss. Jerry has played both tackle positions and right guard. He anchored an offensive line in 2009 that only allowed 14 sacks, which was ranked 14^th in the nation. His unit did not allow a sack in four games and allowed Dexter McCluster to rush for 1,169 yards, which is a school record.   Perhaps Jerry’s shining moment was when the offensive line helped lead the Rebels to an upset victory over the #8 LSU Tigers in November. LSU entered the game as the fourth ranked defense in the country, but by the time the game was over it was Ole Miss that won the game and the battle. They racked up 426 total yards on offense with a whopping 359 on the ground, while not allowing a sack. Jerry started the season at right tackle, but due to injuries along the line moved to his natural position of right guard. According to CBS Sports Jerry finished 2009 with 92 knockdown blocks and 10 touchdown resulting blocks. This is the kind of production the Trifecta expects to see from jerry at the next level. 

Jerry is a versatile offensive lineman that in a pinch can play four of the five positions along the front. He can get in trouble in space, so moving him inside and playing in a box where he can stay in front of the defender will be the best spot for Jerry. He does struggle at time to get low, or as Mike Mayok would like to say, “He’s not a natural knee bender.” However, once he gets a defender locked down, forget it, game over. Jerry also has a very good initial punch both in run blocking and in pass blocking. His strength combined with his punch allows him to knock defenders off their rush. Imagine if you will Jake Long and John Jerry leading the way for Ronnie Brown, or anyone for that matter. The thought of this may be the reason Brown never signed a tender and shows that he wants to stay in Miami. Those two in front of him could extend his shelf life. Jerry can struggle a bit with speed rushers, but on the inside he shouldn’t have to encounter that problem too often. The funny thing is Jerry actually is fairly fleet of foot for someone his size. He has good initial quickness but struggles to maintain.

Jerry will bring a ton of experience to the NFL, and while he is a rookie he will become a leader along the offensive line. He may not begin the season as the starter at one of the guard positions, but it’s this writer’s belief he will end the season as a starter and not relinquish that role in the near future. Jerry is another road grater that will help anchor one of the largest offensive lines in the NFL and should be an anchor along with Jake Long for years to come.