Monday, July 29, 2013

Jerry's knee or not, Fins' offensive line in flux

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Miami Dolphins' offensive line apparently isn't built to plug players in and out. When one guy moves, the whole group is shaken up.

Right guard John Jerry went down to a knee injury last week, which began an series of experiments on the Dolphins' starting offensive front over the weekend.

According to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald, left guard Richie Incognito moved to the right side in Jerry's absence, and rookie Dallas Thomas took over on the left side. Then, center Mike Pouncey was tried at right guard with returner Josh Samuda at center.

Miami later tried another combination of that group.

Newly-acquired tackle Tyson Clabo entered camp as the only new face on the offensive line, posting up at right tackle. But even that's a little misleading. Second-year tackle Jonathan Martin is now the starter at left tackle, replacing Jake Long. However, Martin spent most of last season at right tackle and moved to the left end spot when Long was lost to injury late in the year.

Jerry is reportedly out for two to four weeks, which could cut into a good chunk of preseason action. Even when he comes back, Miami seems a bit unsettled with the state of its offensive line.

The Dolphins will need to get it sorted out sooner than later if offensive coordinator Mike Sherman wants to take the next step with second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill and a bolstered receiving corps.

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