Early on, Dolphins offensive line displays its shaky side

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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspdolphins28sbjul28,0,7612930.story

Early on, Dolphins offensive line displays its shaky side

By Omar Kelly
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

July 28, 2008

DAVIE - Every little step counts when you're an offensive lineman, and bad ones often can be costly.

At least it was for Jake Long on Sunday. Long took too wide an angle trying to contain speedy outside linebacker Charlie Anderson during an 11-on-11 scrimmage-like situation. That mistake allowed Anderson to use his arm to get Long off balance, creating an alley for him to get past the No. 1 pick, pressuring quarterback John Beck.

Immediately following the play coach Tony Sparano made a beeline to his starting left tackle — the same one whose footwork he was glowing about earlier in the day — and gave him an animated earful.

While the words weren't audible from the stands, it's not difficult to imagine what the topic of discussion was. And it's likely that the Dolphins' entire offensive line heard a similar "you've got to do better" lecture following Sunday's practice session, which featured about half-a-dozen would-be sacks like the one given up by Long.

"Going up against him, a speed guy every day, makes me a little better," Long said of Anderson.

Considering Sparano built his coaching career as an offensive line coach, and admits he often finds himself gravitating to that unit during practices, he's adamant about getting the Dolphins' blockers in order. Sunday's showing indicates there's plenty of work to be done.

"We need to knock guys off the ball and get to the second level. Be physical, smart and tough," said Vernon Carey, who is entering his fourth season as a Dolphins starter. "Those are the traits we need on the offensive line to be successful."

But first, the Dolphins need five starters. Four of the starting spots are pretty much set in stone as long as the two tackles, Long and Carey, guard Justin Smiley, and center Samson Satele don't have any setbacks. The guard spot opposite Smiley, who is presently working on the left side, is the missing link.

Trey Darilek is the lead horse in that race, but Sparano points out it's a very fluid situation. Rookies Shawn Murphy and Donald Thomas were both drafted to challenge for the spot, but neither has outperformed Darilek, a three-year veteran who spent four games on the Dolphins' 53-man roster in 2006 before getting released.

Carey thinks Darilek is suited to partner with him on the right side because his experience playing for Sparano in Dallas' training camp last season makes him one of the unit's most knowledgeable players scheme-wise.

He's also the most versatile. Darilek has played every position on the offensive line during his pro career, and that type of versatility is what the Dolphins value.

Last year, after Darilek was cut by the Cowboys at the end of training camp a few NFL teams showed interest in signing him, but he opted to play center in the CFL because it meant he'd play regularly.

After sitting and watching games for three NFL seasons Darilek wanted to mix it up, and was confident that if he performed well as a CFL starter he'd get another shot. And here it is.

"I know I have the talent to play in the NFL. It's just been some unfortunate circumstances that have happened," Darilek said.

Sparano said Darilek's intellect and toughness have allowed him to stand out early.

While the rookies certainly aren't out of the starting equation, Shawn Murphy, Darilek's present backup, did admit that the learning curve, from college to the NFL, has been steep. Thomas, who is seldom mentioned, is likely dealing with the same issues.

"The competition's a lot harder, and everyone is going a little faster," said Murphy, who admitted it's also been a struggle playing through fatigue caused by South Florida's humidity.

Sparano said the goal is to find the best five linemen, and to do so the coaches will continue a "straight tryout," moving the interior guys around throughout the first few weeks of training camp.

He hopes he'll have experimented enough the next few weeks to settle on a five-man unit by the final three exhibition games. He's set that cutoff because his experience tells him the starters need eight or nine quarters of action together to gel.

For the quarterbacks' sake, they better develop some cohesion quickly or the Andersons of the NFL could give the Dolphins a big headache.