New guard Williams expects to start at center, says it ‘brings out my strengths’
The Dolphins, at least for now, appear to have clarity at the one position that seemingly lacked it: starting center.
Connor Williams said Thursday that the Dolphins told him they “really likely” would move him to center and his understanding is that’s the plan for the 2022 season, at least “as of now.” He has been working at the position since the offseason program began in April.
Williams was a very good left guard for Dallas the past four years, starting 51 of his 57 game appearances.
But as The Miami Herald reported weeks ago, the Dolphins believe Williams has a good skill set to play center and want to find a way to get their recent high draft picks in the lineup at other positions.
Williams’ move to center allows Liam Eichenberg — the 42nd overall pick in the 2021 draft — to potentially play left guard, with competition from
Solomon Kindley.
Eichenberg finished last season as the Dolphins’ starting left tackle, but the Dolphins signed Pro Bowler Terron Armstead to play that position.
Though team rules ban reporters from identifying linemen positions during the mandatory minicamp on Wednesday and Thursday, The Miami Herald stands by its report from early May that the plan is for Eichenberg to play left guard, Robert Hunt to remain at right guard and
Austin Jackson to play right tackle, provided he wins the job this summer.
That could change, naturally, if Eichenberg or Jackson do not excel, or are beaten out, in training
camp, or if Williams struggles at center.
If the Dolphins change their mind about playing Williams at center, their options would be turning back to Michael Deiter (last year’s starting center who remains on the team) or signing Browns free agent J.C. Tretter.
Williams said he’s enjoying the transition to center.
“I take pride in being wherever I’m needed I would go,” he said. “New change, new city, playing center, fresh start. It was a nice change. I’ve really enjoyed the position. In this offense and this scheme, playing center brings out my strengths.
“They’ve been very patient with me learning the position and learning the ins and outs with it with growing pains. I’ve enjoyed the transition.”
And his move to center “gives the O-line a lot of flexibility,” he said.
Williams said the team informed him of the position change soon after he signed a two-year, $14
million deal.
Offensive line coach Matt “Applebaum and [offensive coordinator] Frank [Smith] called me and they said, ‘Looking at the pieces and based off your skill set, I think we would be really likely to move you to center. How would you feel about that?’
“Ever since then, I was like, ‘Let’s do it.’ They’ve given me the freedom to do it and I’ve been attacking it day by day. Once I was on the team and once it was decided, moving pieces around and seeing who fit best where, it came up and we took it head on from there. It’s been smooth.”
Williams, 25, said he played center for the first time during preseason for the Cowboys last season. He played tackle at the University of Texas.
He said “having to call the plays, get the declarations right” is new for him.
“At guard, you can go brain dead for a second and make sure your
blocks are good. At center, coming up to the line, you’ve got to be on at all times.”
Williams has spoken to Cowboys center Travis Frederick about the position switch and also has watched tape of San Francisco’s Alex Mack, among others.
“Learning from other centers around the league watching their games, it’s a completely different world from guard,” he said.
Williams said Armstead is “a savvy vet, amazing player. Everyone is always leaning on him.” He said Eichenberg, Jackson and Hunt are “great players [who] work their tails off.”
PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS
Tua Tagovailoa
threw two impressive long passes to Tyreek Hill;
they traveled 45 and 51 air yards. He also threw a 5-yard TD to Hill.
Teddy Bridgewater
struggled early with three poor throws but rallied in the second half of practice, making several good throws.
Rookie safety Verone McKinley III dropped what should have been an interception from Bridgewater and punished himself by doing several pushups. The pass was intended for Cedrick Wilson Jr.
On another instance, rookie edge player Cameron Goode pressured Bridgewater into a poor throw.
Bridgewater’s good work late included multiple passes to Trent Sherfield for sizable gains, another to River Cracraft and a 12-yarder
Lynn Bowden Jr.
Christian Wilkins, Calvin Munson and
Benito Jones had excellent run stops for little or no gain.
Chase Edmonds and
Salvon Ahmed showed good burst; South Carolina rookie ZaQuandre White also had a good camp.
Cethan Carter dropped a pass from Skylar Thompson, who has been impressive but also holds onto the ball longer than he should at times.
Thompson threw a 20-yard TD to receiver
Cody Core.
One Thompson throw bounced off Quincy Wilson’s helmet and into the arms of Trill Williams for an interception.
Zach Sieler pressured Tagovailoa into an errant throw. Tagovailoa faced pressure at times, but the offensive line wasn’t beaten in protection as much as it was on Wednesday.
Armstead, incidentally, hasn’t been participating in team drills as he works his way back from a minor knee procedure.
Jason Sanders was 7 for 7 on field goals, with a long of 53 yards.