Breaking Down the Miami Dolphins Offensive Line with Rashad Butler

well this is the podcast for you. We're getting into the offensive line, the big uglies, and we're doing it with an eight year NFL veteran and a legend at the University of Miami, Rashad Butler, joins us on Drive Time today to breakdown all things Dolphins offensive line. He's gonna tell us how much better he expects those second year players to get the impact of the rookies and Liam I can Burg, how Matt Skura fits in. All of that in a heck of a lot more on

this edition of the Drivetime Podcast. So we had the schedule released podcast earlier this week, but today's episode of the podcast, we have a former NFL stud eight years in the league, former Miami Hurricane, former local radio guy, down here in South Florida. He knows the game, he knows the position, he knows this team, he knows this area.

Let's not waste any more time. Welcome my guest in to this edition of Drive Time, Rashad Butler, and joining me now on the Drivetime podcast is former Hurricane star and eight year NFL veteran retired of course, Rashad Butler And Rashad, I think the last time I saw you, bro was the Heat game around Christmas twenty nineteen. It's been a minute. How the hell have you been? Man?

I've been great, And it's funny, uh that because the last you saw me, I think I might have way maybe about uh two hundred and maybe ninety or eighty five pounds, and now I'm down or whopping forty forty pounds man, the two forty five man, listen, I have not been this light, uh since I can remember. I think the last time I might have been this light may have been when I first school in is like when I was just leaving middle school, just leaving middle school,

I was going to suggest high school. Oh my goodness, man, I see those stories all the time. I think, like Nick Hardwick had a really good like post career transformation where he dropped a bunch of weight. First of all, congratulations, I probably get that out of the way first. But

what did you do? Man? What was the secret, to be honest with you, So I watched this next Lick documentary called Game Changers, and it talked about the benefits of athletes as far as as far as high performing athletes UM going to a all plant but plant based diet, and so that really interested me, and I said, you know what, let me just ease into it, because one thing I've learned from prior experiences, it's always harder to kind of go full pledged into something rather than just

easing into it. So I eased into it a little bit as far as eating more plant based foods here and there, and then I want to say, maybe within a month or so, I was, you know, still continue to work out. But within about a month or so I found out that I transferred to nothing but plant based. And now I've been all plant based since I want to say, maybe August two thousand and twenties, so August of last year, so I'm coming up on about a year.

This August is crazy. You must feel incredible, like as far as the difference for just lethargic nous and being more active, like you have to feel incredible, I imagine, Oh no, I do. And it's crazy because I got my blood work done for the first time and I want to say maybe a few years, and my levels all around with everything was just outstanding. I Mean, the doctor looked at my bloods and said, he's like, listen, I don't know what you're doing, but whatever you're doing,

keep it up. And it's funny because I remember watching the documentary and that was I think one of the main things a lot of the athletes that they documented sit on there was how their blow work was just amazing, just because it was just flowing a lot better throughout their entire body. Man, I watched a documentary a while back and they were talking about plant based diets and

how it can combat serious disease. And from that moment and the more literature I come across or the more information I come across, it's it's the way to go. But I'm such a creature of habit and I'm so I almost wanted to addicted to certain foods you wouldn't know by looking at me, but meets a big part of that, man Like, it's it's so commendable to be able to make that step because it's like throwing away a lifestyle you've known, like you mentioned for so long.

Especially a person like that has to you know, maintain a certain level of weight like you did for along. It's it's mind belong to me, man Like, congrats again, thanks man, Thanks of course. Let's let's talk about professionally now, like what's what's what's coming up for you down the pipe and what are you been up to? I know, I think we mentioned the last time we hung out was because we had to get to the Heat game

from seven ninety. What are you doing these days? Well, the last time I was actively on the air, UH down in South Florida. And I say down in South Florida because I currently lived in West Palm Beach where

I'm from. Was I want to say, you're right when the season ended because I was doing the post game for the Miami Dolphins and I was doing the pregame for the Miami Hurricane, So I watched a lot of UH Jalen Phillips and a lot of the other guys I got drafted his past year from the University of Miami. But currently now I'm a free agent, and I love

it because I'm actually relocating to Arizona this summer. One thing about me, I'm accustomed to change to where I can't sit anywhere for a long period of time, Like if I feel stagnant, I feel like I have to decide, Okay, I need something new, I need a new challenge. So I've always loved Arizona, the Scott Stale Phoenix temper area, even when we first went out there in two thousand

and three, when I played in the Fiesta Board. I mean, I hate to bring that that Bowl game up, but Scott Stale, I want to say, I think about a good seven or ten days. And then I just loved it out there, and I said, you know, when I get a chance, I want to live out here. And again I said that years ago, not knowing you know, if I was ever going to get that chance, And here it is. I have that chance, so I'm taking full advantage of it. You definitely prefer warmer climates, that

is for sure. Absolutely absolutely absolutely, Listen, I had an opportunity. Uh, anyone that knows me knows I love Toronto. But man, yeah, they were winners. They're just it's too much, man, I said, Listen, I would just venture to Toronto in the summertime, whether it's not gonna happen. Not not gonna work here anymore,

not going north to the border. I'm down here. It's a little bit toasty, but you know, I'm getting used to It's I always tell my wife if it's better than the thirty degree, you know, months we have back to back to back up there in the Northwest. So one thing you do not prefer, Rashad. In my first topic, I wanted to get into here and and you know before your real area of expertise on the offensive line. There's something I had to bring up to you because

I know you're hot about it. It's the Jersey numbers. Now, aside from the traditionalist view, I was hoping you could explain for the people out there why this could make things a little more challenging when it comes to like on the football field, because personally at training camp, for instance, it's already very tough to keep track of ninety players running around and make notes and keep up and take good notes. But I think this will only increase the

difficulty of that. So selfish selfishly because of that, you know, and trying to track substitutions from the press box from the opposing team on game day. I'll have the Dolphins numbers memorized, but the opposition is gonna be tough for me. So tell us how that might be a tough adjustment when it comes to on the field when you're trying to I d mic linebackers and find out where the Russians might be coming from, Like, what's what's the biggest

hang up you have there? So the first team that I knew of that really started to tinker with the jersey numbers on the defensive s oude of the ball were the Baltimore Ravens when they had Rex Ryan and uh Marvin Lewis, and they used to have a lot of their edge rushers that were in I guess typically um identified as outside linebackers with you know these anxiety like you know, linebacker numbers and numbers and the forties

and things of that nature. And what it did was it caused a lot of confusion because they were so good at putting guys at different spots. As far as you know, they may have a guy with the forty something number lined up right over the nose tackle. But you knew, like that guy's not that guy's not a linebacker because you know, just his body type was a little bit bigger. So it causes a lot of confusion for the offensive line, for the quarterback to make ideas

and adjustments and so forth. And again, like I said, that was the first team I remember back when I was playing that did it, and it really cost a lot of consternation for us. And I mean we spent a lot of hours in our meeting rooms leading up to, uh, that game, just you know, trying to create certain rules for you know, certain I mean for certain jersey numbers. So it causes a lot of consternation. Or like I said,

the office line in the quarterback. It makes a ton of sense that Rex Ryan would do that because he was kind of incorrect me if I'm wrong here, but one of the originators of that Amba package where you kind of yeah, so perfect. It makes total sense that he would go for that. That's actually really smart, so perfect, but you know, to kind of tie us back together, Rashad, I was gonna make this comment to you before I

learned about your weight loss. But I was going to compliment you and say, I think you could rock the single digit just fine. Now get my man the number eight jersey. So when he goes out and pancakes number seven, me two on the other side of the ball. That looks funky in the jersey numbers. But we know who's really doing the work there. But know, let's let's go ahead and transition here into what we really want to talk to you about, Rashad is it's the offensive line

and jump into one season. These Dolphins have been very busy this offseason. Actually, before we get to the offensive and let's do this, let's let's give me your comprehensive Dolphins offseason thoughts. What did you think about the direction of this team now? Is they're kind of heading into the third season under Brian Flora's Yep, you high on them, you're low on them? Where do you come in on

this Dolphins operation? I'm high And the reason I'm high is because, like myself, I'm a big planner and I like to stick to my plan and I just respect so much what Career and Flores both have done as a partnership as far as mapping out a plan from day one. When Brian Flores was higher and sticking to that plan. And I know for a lot of fans, uh, you know, when they see guys like Caliban Nooy get cut, guys like Shaq loss and get cut, it makes them kind of, you know, say, I don't like that cut

makes no sense. But again, these two has these two have had a plan I'm referring to Greer and Flores from day one, and they're sticking to that plan. I think that plan is maximizing the value at every position and at the same time building depth. And when Flores came in, I think Flores what he was trying to do was he was trying to find that, Okay, how many guys can I acquire for the cheap and find out who really wants to play this brand of football

offensively and defensively. And once he found out out, he kept a lot of those guys. You know, we saw last year he brought a lot of guys in that

he felt um could play that type of football. But at the same time, you know, I think Chris Greer was there to be uh, fiscally smart and say listen, you know this is what we want to do, and you know we're gonna do it, and we may make some tough decisions that people may not like, but at the end of the day, if it's bettering our team, and what I mean by that is if we're able to let cut loose off a guy like Calivan Noor, who was a great team leader and played some great

vould here for the Miami Dolphins in that one year. But at the same time, you know, we need to get a guy like Andrew ban Gikle, who's a lot younger, you know what I mean, who is you know, entering the prime of his NFL career more snaps. So again, I get it. So I love everything they've done thus far, and I think the future is very, very bright for

this organization. For those of you that are new to Drive Time or you know, never heard Locked on Dolphins, I used to do radio with Zack and Rashad weekly. It seemed like Rashade we were always talking. And I'm telling you like that, it's kind of feeling like it's coming back right now because what you just described was the thesis of this monologue I had on Wednesday's podcast. We're recording this podcast on Tuesday. It comes out Friday.

You're gonna hear it. But the last podcast I did, I talked about what you just talked about, and you were way way more concise than I was. So good on you for that. But man, I'm so excited. And of course a lot of those moves and activity have come up front on the offensive line again, your bread and butter. Eight years in the NFL. Let's go ahead and start and break this thing down with the newcomers.

And let's go ahead and start with the draft. Second down, forty second pick in the draft, Dophins come up eight spots to select Notre Dame's Liam Eichenberg, and I want to just get your break down his game, like what do you think he does best? Working to use some improvement? Where does he factor into this team? And I have to imagine, Rashad, you are a fan of the technique of this kid. Listen, you hit it right on the head.

I was gonna say that because one thing about me, I wasn't the biggest guy anyone that knows my career. I played in the Shanahan and Kubiak system, which is very wide zone heavy, and a lot of us up front, you know, we were at the most maybe I would say three ten or lighter. I think the biggest guy we had at the time was Dwayne Brown, who I think it was like three twenty. But you know, being

that light, you'd have to play with great technique. And when I watch uh Liam Eichenberg, he just plays with great technique and he's consistent with it, man, And you know, he's a guy that he's not an overly big guy. And I was surprised that the Dolphins, you know, drafted him so high because you know, if you look at with the Dolphins, I guess look for in the office a linement, they look for guys that are big, like guys that are about three twenty plus, you know what

I mean. I think the smallest guy right now is what Matt Skurrett, if I'm not mistaken, But I mean, you know, other than that, I mean, everybody else is like about three plus, you know. So I was surprised when they got him. But you know, the more I watched his film, and you know, I got a chance to watch him a little bit throughout the season, I said, listen,

it makes sense because this guy is technically sound. And one thing I believe along your offensive line is your tackles have to be not only athletic, but they have to be the most technically sound along the line of scrimmage because those guys are going up against some freak athletes, whether it's you know, outside linebacker standing up, whether it's you know, defensive ends who look like Miles Garrett who can run you know, a fourth six, four five and

a forty. So you need those guys to be technically sound consistently. He's gonna get some education through Manual Agball and Jayleen Phillips too, because we talked about the athletic ability of Phillips. My goodness, that dude can bend, he can he can run the arc. He's got an arsenal of pass rush moves. That's for another podcast from the other day. But you talk about leam Meikenberg gets. I'm glad you you mentioned the size thing because you know

you mentioned three twenty. That's about where Austin Jackson is, Rob Hunts pushing three thirty, Solomon Kinley's three forty, d J. Fluker three forty, and Eric Flowers was here last year was also in that same range. So he's different. But like you mentioned, I think he was probably, if not the top on the top two or three plug and play tackles in this class, so I have to imagine he gets a real good shot to start at right

tackle on opening day. We go to the end of the draft and the other side of the offensive line. Larnel Coleman played left tackle at ums Rashot. I'm not sure if he got much U Mass taping you over the time we talked about this podcast. But this kid's an athletic player, played basketball, has a crazy wingspan. What

do you notice in his game? You know, I haven't got a chance to watch any U Mass film, but I did some research on him and the one thing that stands out to me and I have this this issue, which is a good issue to have when you're playing UH tackle in the UH in the NFL, this he has some long arms, and you want your tackles to have arm a limp because that is very important when, like I said, you're responsible for creating the width of

the pocket. And one thing I heard UH in the interview you did with him that I think makes a lot of sense. And I encourage more offensive alignment to go this route when they are younger, and I understand it's kind of hard to I guess, no, you're gonna play offensive line you grow up because no one wants to play that position. But you know, I remember him saying in your interview that he looked like he looked at the offensive line position more to playing defensive basketball.

And it is because a lot of my great footwork that I had throughout my career came from playing basketball. Uh. After I played baseball, I played basketball for quite some time. I played basketball a little bit in high school, in and so forth. Then, Uh, I actually accustomed my great you know, footwork uh throughout my career. Uh, I mean

due to that time playing BASKETBA on. So when you say that, I said, listen, I said, I know for a fact this kid is going to be able to mirror a lot of great athletes that play on the outside that he's gonna be going up against the NFL. I love the way he put it. He talked about it's like it's like playing defense where you stay in between your man the basket. It's like staying between your man and the quarterback. That's all it is. I actually heard I think it was Daniel Jeremias and the exact

same thing about leam Meikenberg. Like you're gonna find him between your quarterback in the past rusher and that's the only thing you can do as an offensive lineman. So it's a it's a cool philosophy. I think he's got. He definitely has some developing to do. Obviously, U mass kid kind of raw rough around the edges, but he's in a good program for it, Lemille John Pierre is a good coach for it. So looking forward to seeing what he can do this season. Like I told you earlier,

training camp was only a few months away. Man, I can't wait to see this freaking team on the field. I can't wait. And so and two more reasons, you know, I'm excited about it. A couple more editions on the offensive line, and we go to Baltimore, a couple of guys that defected from Baltimore that's the right word. I don't know. But Matt Scurry, you mentioned him earlier in the pivot center the center position, kind of a position shing that this team, maybe him and maybe Michael Dieter

could compete for that spot. Will find out what happens. But I wentn't back and watched his tape in twenty nineteen. He was a damn good player, just kind of ran some snap issues last year. What you see on tape with Matt Skura very physical, uh, And I like this. I have nothing against Ted Carriss. I think Ted Carress did a great job last year as far as holding that offensive line together and getting guys along the offensive line on the right guys, because I think Ted Carress

showed that he was very, very smart. And I think, you know, Matt Skurrett is a very smart singer as well, because listen, to play in the NFL at that position, you have to be a smart guy. Mean, you have to know everything about the opposing defense as much as the quarterback does. The guy who you're snapping the ball to, like you and him have to be on the same page. But I just think Matt Skurrett plays a more physical brand of football, the brand of football that I think

Brian Floydes and Chris Greer want to play. Up front. You're starting to see it. And the guys that they not only drafted last year, but the guys that they drafted this year, uh, and even the guys that they brought in as far as Matt Scara and d J Fluku, I think is a very very physical guy. I think, you know my only right with d J flu Gridge. You know, at times I think he tries to use his physicality too much and he kind of gets beat

by a lot of quicker guys. But listen, once he gets his hands on you, I mean, it's a wrap, man, It is a rap. So I like what the Darkness are doing because again I think they mapped out a plan by saying, listen, we want a physical offensive line with beef that is going to be able to not only protect our quarterback, but move guys off the ball and take over a game late in the third quarter,

early in the fourth quarter. And they're doing that with the guys they brought in and DJ signed last year to play for a team that just runs the ball down your throw. Obviously where Matt came from too. That's kind of what they do, right. They pushed guys off the football, they create space. I saw a tape against Steelers, I think it was last year, and Matt Skura had

reps against you know, uh, Cameron Heyward inside. He was winning those reps and getting out on the edge against t J. Watton went in some of those reps too, So it's it's it's there. We just gotta find out if we can can cultivate it and get it to come come to fruition down here in Miami. Now, those are the newcomers, along with Robert Jones, an undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State who Emery Hunt was on the podcast and he was very, very pumped up

about him last week. Cameron tom is an interesting futurist contract signing this offseason as well. I'm curious to get a good look at him and training camp. Let's go ahead and jump to that part of the calendar a shot again. Training camp. It's like opening new gifts, man. You get to see all these products you've invested into and in terms of getting to know their game, their trajectory, and that's where I think this really starts with this group.

And let's go ahead and start with those big three from last year who I think are really going to determine how good this offensive line can be. Two very highly drafted kids in Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt, and then also Solomon Killy in the fourth round, who might have had the best rookie season of the three. We'll go ahead and start with Austin though first year are all left tackle reps ups and downs. I think he came back off the injury and maybe struggle a little bit,

but then picked it back up. What did you see from his game and what about his game gave you a bunch of confidence going forward? Well, first off, you know, I have to commend the way that all three of those guys played because I came into the league where, uh, the only time you were playing it was two instances,

whether you were drafted in the first round. Because back then when I came in in two thousands and six guys in the second round, third round and in and uh and and lower, those guys weren't playing unless someone got injured, which is my second you know scenario. But nowadays you're seeing guys like Solomon Ckinley who were drafted in the fourth round, who were you know, getting a lot of reps. But to stay on Austin Jackson, one thing I think he did very well this year was

used his athleticism to his advantage. I mean, there was times where he was out of position, but the guy is just so athletic for his size. He was able to recover. And again, I don't think a lot of fans understand how hard it is to come in the league that is just full of talent in a high performing business, and to be a rookie and have to play, you know, the toughest position on the offensive line. So

I think he held his own. I mean again, I mean, he had growing pains, but that's expected when you have a rookie playing that position that's entrenched as the starter pretty much, uh for day one. I mean I would say this. I think one thing he can improve on is just becoming more technically sound consistently as far as in the passing game, because there were times, you know, we've seen that Denver game where you know, hey, I mean I like to say he was in the matrix.

I mean it happens to every young player to where you know, you have one bad weapon. It's just it's it's snowballs, you know what I mean. But I think for him, with his athleticism and the experience he has, if he can just refine his technique to become a consistent uh past blockers, then I think Sky's limit. Because in the running game, he malls people in a running game, he really does, so this guy's remember for him, it started earlier in that Denver game for him the first

rep he got beat. I think it, like you mentioned, a kind of snowball from there, and that's a great pass rushing team with an even better defensive coordinator or a guy that calls the defense and Vic Fangio, so it took to be expected. You also mentioned the fact that you know his technique could do some refinement. Thirty youngest player in the NFL last year, he's twenty one years old, so you have to imagine that gets better

as well. So I'm encouraged. Like you mentioned, let's go ahead and move on to the next guy I want to talk about here, the other side, and maybe he kicks him to guard this year, maybe he plays tackle. We'll find out again in August. Rob Hunt and I thought, you know, towards the end of the year, I mentioned that on a previous podcast. I recently rewatched all the December games, and the offense kind of hit a wall. And that was not just the offensive line, it was

everybody like that. The skill players kind of started getting injured, and the offensive line kind of gave up more pressures, and the quarterback play kind of dropped off a little bit. Just was a rough offensive month for this team, and they wind up ten and six, just on the outside of the playoffs. But I thought Rob Hunt of that group was one guy that kind of a set ended through that back end of the season. Did you see

the same thing? No, I did. I think, you know, for him, I think he benefited so much from you know, he came in from a I don't want to say lower level school, but you know, he came in from a school that wasn't playing top tier competition on a weekly basis, as in Austin Jackson and Uh Solomon uh did as far as that USC and Georgia. So I think the Daarphins said, you know what, we he's this guy in. I mean, hey, if he comes out guns blazing, then we'll start him from week one. But I don't

think that was the case. You know, I think he had his growing pains in training camp, but I think what he did was he said, you know what I'm gonna learn, I'm gonna get better each and every day. And I think Brian Flores and that coaching staff they saw that in the minute. They felt like, Okay, this guy,

he's reaching his stride. We're gonna put him in there and we saw it because I mean the San Francisco gamm I mean he's going up against the guy and Eric Armstead, which you know, I think he did a great job as a Rickie facing a guy that, you know, I mean could have easily been all the pro. I mean, I don't know if he was or not, but I mean, hey, I mean he's a guy that could have been easily in the discussion to be a defensive all produce here.

And I just think from that game forward, I mean, he just gained confidence and he just took off with it. And I think he is the one among those, uh those other two that I think he had the best season as a rookie as far as you know, from the time he stepped in until the end of the season. He his first rep was a long arm pass rush from Toronto from Eric Armstead, I'm sorry, and he just

handled it. He put him on the ground. I was like, wow, first rap as an NFL pro as far as he came off the bench for a couple of heavy packages early on, but that was his first start and I was like, WHOA that starts alarming um real quick. Before he jump onto Solomon Kindley here. You know, if he does make that move from right tackle to right guard in a second season, you know, with your experience were shot. How difficult is that to make a position change you

know early in your career. Is it as hard as folks want to make it out to be. Is a little bit easier? Like what do you think? To me? It depends on if you took those type reps in college. So for me, I didn't have a hard time switching from right to left tackle because in college, before I became a starter, I was doing a lot of cross training.

So even though I became a starter at right tackle, uh, there were times in practice that you know, if I wasn't taking started reps that right tackle, I was taking start reps that left tackle just in case someone got hurt. So again, I'm pretty sure he played played a little bit of both in college. Now, again, I don't know if Miami was cross training him and practice throughout the season, But for him, I don't think the transition should be hard.

But I had. I do know this, going from tackle to guard if you're physical, and one thing about Robert Hunt that I love is he is just so damn physical, is that it should be easier because the action starts a lot faster. Usually at tackle guys that are very, very physical, they have a hard time being paid to be patient because action doesn't come to you as fast

as a Dolles room playing guard. So I for a guy as physical as him, I think the transit is gonna be easier because it's gonna be able to give calls and those big big mits on you know, guys like Aaron Donald and somebody in somebody's great studs at the three technique that he's gonna be going going up against.

It makes a lot of sense because you know usually that that edge rusher off the off the outside can be in that wide nine technique, and so you have to kind of get that vertical set and get yourself in a position where you can then kind of wait for him to draw the hands out and throw the punch. And I'm sure it gets challenging out there, and some guys are good at taking that wide nine turning into a tight five. But as a rookie was so much

going on, maybe that's a lot to ask for. Now you talk about going from one side of the offensive line to the other, and Solomon Kinley for his credit in college played both sides, but his best production in college was at left guard. I think the easy idea here as far as what we might project, is that he does make the switch to left guard, and then Rob Hunt plays right right, Solomon's left guard, Robert's right guard, and then Eikenberg right tackle. I think maybe best k Senaril.

We'll see what happens, but if he does make that move, that could be a possibility. What you're seeing his rookie season and where and he get better. Well, I'm gonna say this as well too. I think all three of those guys do a great job of finishing and playing to the whistle and sometimes beyond the whistle. But man, the one guy who does it the most is Solomont.

I used to love watching him, man, because listen, I know how it is being down there on those trenches and those guys on the opposite opposite of the ball, whether it's a defensive lineman or a linebacker, they do not like offensive lineman finishing to the whistle and sometimes going beyond the whistle. But he made so many people upset, and you saw it. I'll say this, I even saw on the TV copy. It was hilarious. But I love that about him because that's something that you can't coach.

You just can't. Either guy hazard or a guy doesn't. And that's one thing I love about his game is that you know with him, you know he make you beat. He may be in the wrong position at times, or actually say, you know, he may have guys in the wrong position, but you know that once he gets his hands on you, he's going to finish until the times, even after the whistle. And I love that because, like I just said, that's something that you can't coach. Either

guys have it or they don't. Brandon Thorne does a bunch of good stuff on Twitter and he also has a website. I'm drawing a blank on the name, but he's been. He's been on the podcast before. He always clips off what he calls hashtag punished jumpers when God trying to bat the ball down and Solomon is on there so often putting guys on their backside. And it's like you said, it's seen that a couple of times. Listen, he had one agift New England that was nasty, nasty man.

I think yeah, I think yeah. Another one earlier in the year against I think it was Buffalo that was nasty. Too many remember that one. Yeah, it's so like I'm sure it's been for you, but for me, like I don't really jump out of my chair watching offensive line play a lot like I used just appreciate it, like I'm not freaking out. But with him it's different, like I'm always like, oh yes, like I love it. It's fun to watch man, all right, Rashan. We've covered even

of the guys up front. I believe as far as you know, incumbents and newcomers, and I want to go ahead and make sure we mentioned Jesse Davis for his leadership, versatility and what he's meant to this team since he got here. Michael Dieter, good depth last year, he's back, Tyler Gothier go tier. I hope I pronounced that right,

Jonathan Hubbard. We have mentioned Robert Jones, Adam Panky had some snaps last year in heavy personnel, Dervall kierrez Neto, and I also mentioned Cameron tom Fifteen players in total. So here, I'm gonna put you to the screws, Rashod. What's your projection? What you got for an opening day? Who makes the opening day roster and who are your starting five? Okay, so my starting five, I'm gonna go from left to right. I think it's going to be

and this is barring no injury doing training camp. I'm gonna go with Austin Jackson, uh, Solomon Kinley, Matt Skierra, Robert Hunt, and I'm going to finish off with Liam Aickenberg. And I think the two players that are going to be dressing um on game day. Um, it's just I know, because you know, you need a guy that can snap,

that has the ability to snap. And I'm gonna say this, Um, I think d J. Fluker is a big body, strong guy, and I don't see them bringing him in to just let him go unless he just bombs out in training camp. I don't see that happening. I think he's gonna be uh that one guy that is going to be pretty much pretty much pretty much, I can play both guards. And I'm gonna say Jesse Davis because I think Jesse

Davis just has a lot of versatility. And I know Jesse Davis has taken some, uh taking some some center snaps. Now ideally you don't want Jesse taking center snaps, but I think if you have to Um, I think he's a guy that you know you can count on because he's a guy that literally has played every position along

the office the line. And again, I know there's some people that may think that Jesse David's time might be up, and I'll say this, I believe that and would have been up if he wasn't as versatile as he is. But you're talking about a guy that can literally play every position along the officer line. For me, that has to be one of the guys that is going to dress on game that that's not gonna be a starter. And like I said, the reason I believe in DJ Flucker because he's just a big body guy that fits

the mold that they want. I mean, I don't see him beating out either Robert Hunt or Solomon Kinley. If he does, more power to him. But I think he's a guy that can come in if either one of those guys go down with some type of injury. So, again, for the listeners, I go up from left to right, Austin Jackson, Solomon Kinley, Mascara UM, Robert Hunt, Liam Eichenberg, and the two guys dressing on game day. I would say, uh,

D J Flucker and Jesse Davison. Again, I know at times they did dress eight, So I mean, if they want to dress eight, then I'll say it has to be Michael Deater. But I mean I wouldn't be surprised if Theater is a guy that you know he just cut bait with, because I mean, it is a business. But at the same time, if they want to dress, say, I think that's the guy that you know you can count on to to take to take center snaps. If Skirrit has his snapping snapping issues again, or if he

just goes down with the injury. That's my starting five. That's my top eight two, and I would probably I would probably go Larnel Coleman is nine just because of the upside and development. I think you can probably be one of those guys like you mentioned that doesn't dress, but he's protected from the practice squads, he doesn't get plucked.

That's that's a great group there. I think you mentioned the versatility was the keyword you mentioned there, because like Fluker can play swing tackle and swing guard right like he can play four spots. You mentioned Jesse Davis last year, every time they came out for practice, three guys, three quarterbacks, right, That's how it always goes. Ted Carress, Michael Deater, and Jesse Davis was the third center snapping to the to read tonet third string quarterback, so there is some cross

train there. He could play that position. I think that's the way to go. It's I love it, Rashade, because you go back just two years ago. Those guys you're talking about, Michael Dieter and Jesse Davis, they were like penciled in as sure fire starters. Now they're competing for maybe fifth, six, seven eight jobs on the roster. It just speaks and like you mentioned earlier, the depth this team has built over the last couple of years. So again, Man,

I'm super excited. Thank you so much for joining me today. Man Rashaan Butler, former Hurricane start eight year NFL veteran Rashan, We appreciate both your time and expertise so much. Thank you for dropping the knowledge on us. Where can the folks find you on social men, they can find me. I'm on Twitter at Rashad r A s h A d jamal j A m A A L b uh. Don't be afraid to interact with me. I don't interact as much anymore. Because we're at it. It did period

as far as in the off season. But you know, if I do have something on my mind that I mean that's even Dolphins related or football related. Uh, I'm not afraid to speak it. But other than that, that's where you can find me at great follow up, great resource. I mean, won't hold it against you that I moved down here and you moved to the West coast right when I get down here. Man, listen, listen this. You gotta tell me how it is waking up at what nine o'clock to NFL games. Man, I gotta get used

to that. Man. I think the older you get, the better against because you're kind of up earlier, you're kind of doing stuff. So when I was twenty one, didn't like it so much. Now I kind of like, alright, man, thanks again with sh I'll be well, my friend, no problem man, and away he goes. Always a fun podcast. Talking to overshot here on the Drive Time podcast. I want to finish up and read a couple of reviews here you guys left for us on Apple podcast. I

appreciate you guys. Doing this for us helps us climb the podcast charts, gets us more discoverability more listens all that fun stuff. This one from sun iran Desert doll fan. What more can you ask for? Travis and his team give you all the information a doll fhan needs to stay up and up to speed on what the team is doing to get back to the top tiers in

the league. He is smart, witty, and enthusiastic. Most important of all the research and work that goes into every podcast speaks to his professional approach that Travis takes to his job. Hashtag fins up. I can't appreciate that more than I do. Man like, thank you so much, because that is the goal of this podcast is to be

the most most informed Dolphins podcast. I went to the Panthers game earlier this week with video and people from different departments of the stadium, and somebody was debating me in football and one of our video guys goes, why are you debating with Travis? The guy watches like forty hours of film a week. So I was so appreciative of that, just because of the acknowledgment. And we do put a lot of work into the podcast, and it's not just me, like you mentioned, the whole team here

does a great job. Great content from Florio hater on on Apple Podcast. I followed you for years, Travis, and I'm so happy you're living your dream. Your delivery of the content is a plus, and your growth over the years has been phenomenal. Congrats on your continued success and a great show. Thank you very much for that. This one from Wheels roll In the real deal, he says, has been of Dolphins fan since nineteen seventy. Travis is the real deal covering the fish. We are lucky to

have this cat covering our team. Go get him, Travis. Just listen to the podcast with Coach Flores. Great interview. I get nervous listening to Coach Flora's and you are unwavering. He's just the best coach. I was definitely intimidated because Coach does have a presence to him. But that podcast was great. It was great fun stuff. Alright, plenty more up there. We'll get some more of these here later in the summer as we kind of get some more

need for content in the future. But as for now, we have plenty for you guys coming down the pipe. And as for today's podcast, that is going to be my time you all. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Leave us a rating, leave us a review. You can find me on Twitter at Wingfield NFL. You can follow the team at Miami Dolphins, check out the fish Tank and the Audible podcast, and of course Miami dolphins dot com. Until next time, fins up.