Fat Albert and the line

I don't know that Albert is worried about Tunsil.  I think it has more to do with the fact that he's getting older and is trying to do what he can to stay healthy.  It's the smart thing to do at this stage of his career. Plus, he's auditioning for other teams this season, trying to get one last big contract after the Phins release him next year.

I'm not ready to say the line is much improved.  I think both guard positions are major question marks, and the depth at guard and especially center is very weak IMO. 

Tunsil may be a good LT some day, but I really don't like the fit at left guard.  And at right guard, we have a bunch of has beens and never-weres competing.  I still see the interior OL as a major weakness.

Yep, the effort to improve is definitely great to see.  I think Albert gets taken for granted a bit because of the position he plays, but he's a damn good player when healthy.

Birdmond wrote:

JMP wrote:Yep, the effort to improve is definitely great to see.  I think Albert gets taken for granted a bit because of the position he plays, but he's a damn good player when healthy.

Oh I think he's a very good LT.  But availability is a skill.  

Absolutely.  If you can't get on the field, it doesn't matter how good you are.

Also agree with you about Pouncey...quite possibly the most overrated O-lineman in the NFL.  I'd say he's mediocre at best.

I also think many Dolfans overrate Ja'Wuan James.  IMO he is somewhere between mediocre and decent...nothing special.

For what it's worth, I read that in OTAs the right guard competition was between Urbik, Turner, Thomas and Douglas. Snaps were split evenly.  Bushrod is still recovering from injury and is not a factor yet.

If Urbik can't beat those guys, he should probably just retire.

white1 wrote:I actually feel like our depth - especially at backup OT and backup C is much better than last season.  The o-line could actually be okay this season.  I say "could".  

Last year I had no hope regarding our gaurds and depth going in, so I view this as a minor improvement at least.

Wish I could share your view. 

--Depth at tackle may be improved depending on how much work Tunsil actually gets at tackle.  Sam Young is just a body...no expectations for him. 
--We still don't have a legit backup center...Douglas is a work in progress and I have low expectations.  Pouncey isn't even that good IMO, but if he gets hurt we could be screwed.
--Depth at guard seems pretty awful to me...we have a lot of players, but I'm not sure any of them are worthwhile.  Urbik was pretty good a few years ago, but his play has tailed off and he hasn't been a full-time starter since 2013.  Bushrod is done, IMO.  I still say Turner should be a tackle, and than there's Dallas Thomas.  I have no idea how Tunsil will be at guard, but looking at those long arms I don't see a position fit at all.  Not much to get excited about at guard IMHO.

Another thing to consider about the guard positions: Pouncey will likely have to help out one or both guards on a fairly regular basis, which as we've seen in the past could be a major issue for the integrity of the interior OL.  I'd worry about the right side too, as James isn't exactly an All Pro (to say the least) and he may have to help out the RG too.

Maybe things will work out better than I expect, but I think there's a strong possibility that the line continues to be a disaster.