For first time in many years, the Miami Dolphins entered camp with a set starting offensive line at each position. No real competition or anyone missing time with an injury. I can’t remember the last time the Dolphins came in set with their starting offensive line maybe 2009? It’s good because now you have continuity, and everyone knows who is lining up next to them. I just hope the group can stay together and gel. Laremy Tunsil, Josh Sitton, Daniel Kilgore, Jesse Davis, and Ja’Wuan James are the guys up front that are the key this year.
Watching the them against the Tampa starting defensive line, the offensive line held their own. There was no penetration or anyone getting pushed back in the back field or generating a pass rush everyone held their ground and pushed their man back. I know it’s the first preseason game and Tampa doesn’t possess the best defensive line, but they have one of the best defensive tackles in the game in Gerald McCoy in the middle. Kilgore has been under the microscope because the Dolphins parted ways with Mike Pouncey and many questioned that move and didn’t consider it an upgrade. The reality is Pouncey has a legitimate hip injury and the team questioned whether he could continue to hold up for a full 16 games and he had become a liability at times getting pushed back in the running game. Kilgore did a good job against McCoy and held his own especially on the 3rd and 11 delayed draw play in which Kenyan Drake got 10 yards and had a big whole to make it 4th and 1 and allowed the Dolphins to go for it and get the first down. The rest of the line did a very good job and it was a good positive step.
Not to be out done the running backs did a very good job picking up blocks as well. Drake, Kalen Ballage and Senorise Perry did a good job picking up blocks in pass protection giving the quarterback time to throw. It was an area of weakness for the Dolphins last year and coach Adam Gase changed running back coaches. Eric Studsville so far has done a very good job working with the running backs.
The offensive line and blocking don’t get the headlines or the publicity, but it shouldn’t go unnoticed. The first game is a good step and now let’s take another step next week against the Carolina Panthers.
