Miami Dolphins Training Camp Day 3: OL
By Dan Heaning
The Miami Dolphins offensive line went through a rough first practice with pads on the third day of training camp. Essentially, if your name wasn’t Mike Pouncey than you had a rough morning.
The competition at guard continued, but this time the huggies came off as Billy Turner was lined up against Ndamukong Suh for a good chunk of the practice.
Suh is giving Turner some great experience today. Both battling hard. Suh is extremely quick off the line #Dolphins
— Greg Likens (@GregLikens) August 1, 2015
As expected, with the pads on the defensive line picked it up and the offensive line was not ready to handle the likes of Suh, Cameron Wake, Earl Mitchell, Olivier Vernon, Terrence Fede, and Anthony Johnson. Suh and Wake in particular made their teammates look bad today.
Wow. DL Ndamukong Suh and Cam Wake just blew up OL Billy Turner and Ja'Wuan James in pass-rush drills and met at QB. Not close. #Dolphins
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) August 1, 2015
Yes, Ja’Wuan James finally got noticed today and it was not for anything good. Like so many others on the offensive line, James struggled having to contain that fearsome front four.
Olivier Vernon with the sack on Ryan Tannehill. JaWuan James almost got hurt.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 1, 2015
That’s scary. Yes, injuries happen in the game of football. They’re inevitable. But almost losing James – struggling or not – would have been a nightmarish circumstance for the Dolphins, who are awaiting Branden Albert‘s full recovery and return to left tackle. Even this early into camp, losing both starting tackles can ruin the season.
Today’s practice didn’t inspire confidence, especially for ESPN’s James Walker, who watched the offensive line like a hawk.
I know it's only 3 days in camp. But I have MAJOR questions early about the #Dolphins o-line, particularly with pass pro. They need Albert.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) August 1, 2015
As @chrisperk wisely pointed out, w/LT Albert, the #Dolphins may be able to overcome their guards. Without Albert, everything looks exposed.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) August 1, 2015
Albert did his normal routine of the opening walk through and his rehab exercises in lieu of practicing, but the left tackle is still a ways from returning.
A day like this may make Miami fans panic and demand Evan Mathis, but how well do you think Mathis would do against Suh? Better? Maybe. But not by much.
Not every practice is going to go the way of the offensive line. Without the pads everything was fine and dandy. With the pads, the defensive line won the day. But the line will get another chance to learn and grow tomorrow and that’s all the Dolphins coaching staff and fans can ask for right now.