Who plays LT is Albert isn't ready for the season?

by **JMP** Wed Jun 10, 2015 9:43 am

http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2015/06/10/would-jawuan-james-or-jason-fox-start-at-left-tackle-if-branden-albert-is-out/

Easy answer for me: Jason Fox at LT, leaving Ja'Wuan James at RT. That seems to be the plan in OTAs, although the Phins are exploring different options.

I'm not a huge Fox fan, but I think he's a much better fit at LT. That's where he played most of his college career, and as we saw last season James is clearly best on the right side.

Having said all that, I would love to see what Billy Turner could do at LT. To me, that's his natural position. But I don't think the Phins have even looked at him there.

Coach Joe Philbin was asked on Monday if the lineup is set this way because Fox is the better left tackle or because the Dolphins want James to prepare at right tackle, his natural position.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” Philbin said. “We want to look at a lot of combinations. I know (offensive line coach) John (Benton) moved some guys around today, and we’re going to continue to do that throughout the remainder of the OTAs and a little bit during mini-camp.

“You want to build depth, you want to give guys repetitions, give them opportunities to compete. Give them a chance to play maybe some spots that they may be called upon to play during the course of the season. This is a good time to kind of get their feet wet and we can get kind somewhat of an evaluation. We’re not going to get obviously a complete evaluation on our offensive or defensive linemen without pads.”

So the question still remains: If Albert isn’t ready in the preseason and it’s looking like he could miss the regular season opener, would Fox remain the left tackle or would the Dolphins swap him and James?

“You’ve got to be ready to play both,” Fox said.

“My mentality is to always prepare like I’m the starter no matter what the situation is and to always get myself ready to go. When (Albert) comes back, I’ll get ready for that. But I’m preparing like I’m the starter.”

The early money is on the Dolphins keeping Fox at left tackle in that scenario and continuing to develop James as the long-term right tackle. But if Albert isn’t ready for the Redskins, it wouldn’t be too surprising if Fox and James have a role reversal.

by scotgif Wed Jun 10, 2015 9:41 pm

Classic Coachspeak.

Coach Joe Philbin was asked on Monday if the lineup is set this way because Fox is the better left tackle or because the Dolphins want James to prepare at right tackle, his natural position.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” Philbin said. “We want to look at a lot of combinations. I know (offensive line coach) John (Benton) moved some guys around today, and we’re going to continue to do that throughout the remainder of the OTAs and a little bit during mini-camp.

“You want to build depth, you want to give guys repetitions, give them opportunities to compete. Give them a chance to play maybe some spots that they may be called upon to play during the course of the season. This is a good time to kind of get their feet wet and we can get kind somewhat of an evaluation. We’re not going to get obviously a complete evaluation on our offensive or defensive linemen without pads.”

by **JMP** Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:42 pm

Definitely coachspeak, and he's terrible at it. I totally get that the Phins don't want to release any top secret information that could alter the fate of the world, but listening to Philbin constantly talk in circles and say nothing of substance is really getting old. He's got to be the most boring coach ever...he doesn't inspire any confidence in me as a fan, he just makes me want to take a nap!

by Birdmond Thu Jun 11, 2015 7:03 am

I'm expecting nothing from Albert from this point on. I'm predicting once he gets healthy his back issues start flairing up again. Despite many positive moves Albert and Philbin keep me pessimistic about the upcoming season.

by **JMP** Thu Jun 11, 2015 11:34 am

Birdmond wrote:I'm expecting nothing from Albert from this point on. I'm predicting once he gets healthy his back issues start flairing up again. Despite many positive moves Albert and Philbin keep me pessimistic about the upcoming season.

Yeah, once a big man has knee and back issues it's a bad thing, especially as they get older. I do think Albert will play this season, but the question is how much will he play? Chances are he'll miss at least a few games, one way or another.

by rightchea Thu Jun 11, 2015 2:12 pm

I think that he plays but he goes in and out through out the games so keep him healthy

by DolFan 316 Thu Jun 11, 2015 7:58 pm

JMP wrote:Definitely coachspeak, and he's terrible at it. I totally get that the Phins don't want to release any top secret information that could alter the fate of the world, but listening to Philbin constantly talk in circles and say nothing of substance is really getting old. He's got to be the most boring coach ever...he doesn't inspire any confidence in me as a fan, he just makes me want to take a nap!

Huh??? What??? I read Philbin's quotes and nodded off halfway through. Sleep

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Who plays LT is Albert isn't ready for the season?

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