Line-up Shake-up
The Dolphins are now preparing for their 1pm home game against a very good Green Bay Packers team, and they should have quite a few line-up changes. The Dolphins appear to be getting healthier and should have Randy Starks, Mike Pouncey, Koa Misi, Reshad Jones, and maybe even Knowshon Moreno back in the line-up and ready to play this upcoming Sunday. This is a good thing to be able to get previous starters back into the line-up, however this means that other line-up changes will be made.
For starters, the coaching staff is toying with the idea of keeping Satele as the starting center and moving Pouncey to the starting right guard position. Pouncey was an excellent right guard early in his Florida Gator career, and he says that is his more natural position, but he will play wherever the coaches want him to. At first glance, my thinking was put the pro-bowl center back at center, however Satele has played very well in Pouncey’s absence, and right guard has been the weak link in the offensive line with Dallas Thomas and Shelley Smith. So if the coaches feel that the best 5 offensive line players includes Satele at center then I have no problem with Pouncey moving to guard, because I think it is fair to say that wherever Pouncey plays on the line he will be an upgrade for the team.
Reshad Jones will be returning from his 4 game suspension and the plan is to move him back to his strong safety spot, which means Louis Delmas will be moved to free safety to replace Jimmy Wilson. Hence Jimmy Wilson will be moved to his more natural position of nickel corner and Davis and Taylor will receive less overall playing time. On paper this looks like an upgrade with Jones coming back to the line-up, however the secondary has actually played consistently well this season, so I wonder if the shake-up will have an initial negative effect, especially since Aaron Rodgers is coming to town?
If Misi proves healthy this brings up the most interesting dilemmas of all the starters returning to the line-up, because most sports gambling fans would say that Trusnik has played very well as the starting middle linebacker. Personally if I were the coaches I would stick with Trusnik and let him play the rest of the season, and give him the chance to continue to develop, because I do not believe Misi is the answer at middle linebacker. What does the rest of the phin fans think?
Lastly Moreno has been practicing, but is still not 100% and is using a brace on his left elbow. He said that his comfort level playing with the brace will decide whether or not he plays on Sunday. Lamar Miller has done an extremely valiant job in filling in for Moreno, and I would say that if Moreno is not close to 100%, then there is no reason to rush him back for the Packers game. We need a healthy Moreno for the remainder of the season, not a semi-healthy Moreno for one game.
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I’d like to see Pouncey at Guard. He’s a huge upgrade at his natural position. I watched him at Florida for years. He was best at Guard and really struggled at Center. He’s been a very good Center, but he’s a Great Guard. He should share reps with Dallas, until he’s fully recovered and 100% back to game speed. Satele has anchored the O-line. He’s really a natural at Center, though every position is greatly improved.
Trusnik has stood out as a solid tackler on special teams and backing up at LB. His coverage is suspect, but his real skill is making the Defensive Calls. I noticed that Jenkins makes the calls when Trusnik is not in the lineup. What a Gem he’s become. Trusnik and Misi should share reps, so that Trusnik can return to his special teams duties, and Misi can be fairly assessed at the MLB role. Nice to have that kind of depth.
Jones is just too good to not be the Strong Safety. Especially if he’s allowed to play the role he played in 2012. Hopefully Delmas is the FS that makes that possible. If not let Jimmy stay at FS, he’s been better than hoped. I like the way Finnegan was used against Oakland, so did he. Who plays the border when Finnegan moves into the slot, is the question mark
Moreno might be able to play a few snaps. Give him another week to fully return. No need to rush him back. The running game has been as much of a surprise as the O-line. The O-line was a huge question mark in the OTA’s, and even at the start of training camp. But the 2 late free agent pickups made the difference. Colledge and Satele were a gift. The Football Gods finally smiled on the Phins O-line, for a change.
Finally, I’m really glad to see Damian Williams brought back. He’s just a player, with a great hands and a lot of speed. He’s going to be a difference maker, I feel certain.
I agree with both the author and the commenters. It all seems like a no-brainer in every case except how much Moreno vs how much Miller, and that will quickly resolve itself. I agree that Trusnik and Misi should share reps at MLB. Trusnik is a real asset as the gunner in KO’s but should be allowed to continue to develop as a MLB because that’s a defensive every down position and we can likely draft a young utility stud to play gunner and preserve Trusnik’s career. I think he’ll be better than Misi at MLB, if not already.
All very good points, lets hope the coaching staff feels the same
Re the OL I would agree that Satele has been stellar at C, moving Pouncey to G would be an immediate upgrade where putting him back a C doesnt impact the glaring weakness at RG.
I don’t like the RJones move. I would work him back in on a given number of plays in specific situations but I prefer the continuity of the group over bringing him back full time on his first game back.
Lamar Miller is no Knowshon Moreno, but he has been adequate and somewhat improved, consistency is still doubtful. I would use Moreno sparringly and NOT on the goal line, that brace has fumble written all over it.
As for Misi, I for one am not a big fan. He is unremarkable. I dont classify him as a playmaker, more steady type player. Trusnik struggles in zone coverage pickups and has been exposed, but has been just as good as Misi on run stops. So I would look to give Misi reps at OL but not at the expense of the Gator.
This game can only be won IF the fins can run the ball consistently against a run weak prone GB defense. If we get into 2nd and 3rd and longs…..I see Tanny taking 3-4 sacks, and a pick or two.