Miami Dolphins Training Camp Day 4: OL
By Dan Heaning
The fourth day of Miami Dolphins training camp continued the battles for both left and right guard, but saw the most promising news concerning left tackle Branden Albert in the still young camp.
Albert put on pads, went outside and did some light individual drills for the first time this training camp.
LT Branden Albert in pads & watching practice today (no participation), not inside doing rehab. Interesting.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) August 2, 2015
LT Branden Albert participating in some non-contact drills. Wearing big brace on rite knee but it's a sign of progress.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) August 2, 2015
FYI: Branden Albert is in pads for first time and doing some light individual drills but no team drills.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 2, 2015
Clearly this was the big news from the offensive line. Any progress, no matter how minute, is imperative for an Albert recovery. The fact the team is only in their second day of wearing pads and Albert is already doing limited drills and getting more involved is exactly what the team and fans want to see.
That was the good news. The bad news is, after getting dominated by the defensive line yesterday, that still continued to be the case.
How bad was it? It may have only been one drill, but Chris Perkins captured a moment when the offensive line was absolutely shellacked.
Wake blows by Ja'Wuan James in drill. Then Suh gets by Turner. Then Jordan Phillips knocks Pouncey on his ass. Wow!
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) August 2, 2015
Nothing about that sounds encouraging. However, this defensive line probably should be going through this offensive line like a turnstile. But there was some good to come out of today as well. Jason Fox looked good containing Chris McCain while Pouncey and James bounced back after a bad play or two.
A key aspect to remember is the offensive line has a lot of kinks to work out, and they have to do so with a competing line composed of some dynamic defensive playmakers. It’s easy to look awful when Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake are what you’re practicing against. Things should get ironed out in camp.
DL doing twists & stunts in 2-on-2 drill. OL struggling to maintain assignments. But that's what camp is for, right?
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) August 2, 2015
It’s early and this offensive line has a lot to learn while the curriculum is a little on the difficult side. In the meantime, it’s great that the defensive linemen can’t actually sack the quarterbacks or there would be some health issues for the passers.
I know it's practice. But the amount of would-be QB sacks I've seen in the past three days of #Dolphins camp are concerning.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) August 2, 2015
As for the left and right guard positions, rotation remains the norm for Jamil Douglas and Dallas Thomas as well as Billy Turner, Jeff Linkenbach, and now Sam Brenner.
RG Jeff Linkenbach looks good in drills, and from scrimmage, but not sure he'll overtake Turner. Will be close battle.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) August 2, 2015
Brenner’s role as a backup center is in jeopardy with J.D. Walton around, but he should be able to make a push at guard. The fact he started a few games last season should help his cause as well.
It’ll be interesting to see how the ebb and flow of these position battles go. One day, one particular player may impress. The next, that same player may get housed by Suh or Earl Mitchell. While left guard is clearly up for grabs and it seems like right guard may be a closer competition with more bodies than previously anticipated.