Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Coaches expect Tunsil to be an elite left tackle.
DAVIE — Laremy Tunsil’s kick-step was so smooth it looked like he was doing the “Electric Slide” out of his left tackle stance.
Tunsil took three steps backwards, planted his feet and jabbed a forearm into Charles Harris’ sternum so hard the rookie was instantly immobilized.
Tunsil had effectively neutralized his defensive end, protecting Ryan Tannehill’s blindside.
That’s his new job for the Miami Dolphins, considering they traded Branden Albert to Jacksonville this offseason so they could move the 2016 first-round pick to his natural position.
“I am playing the blind side, so it does mean a lot,” said Tunsil, who started 12 games at left guard last season and two games as an injury fill-in at left tackle. “I can’t let that get to me. I’m always hard on myself, because I’m always trying to perfect every craft that I have.”
The stakes have been raised for the former Ole Miss standout, a player even Albert has said is so athletically blessed that he could become a Hall of Fame talent if he can stay healthy.
Albert spent a year mentoring Tunsil on what it takes to become an NFL left tackle and the leader of an offensive line. The Dolphins believe Tunsil’s brief experience at left guard will make him even better because it taught him how to anchor against bigger, more physical players.
“I think it’ll be a much quicker learn for him than last year at this time,” offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said. “Now he has the benefit of going back to his natural position — his most experienced position — and whatever you learned inside teaches you some skills you can’t learn outside, where guys are a little tighter on you in the run blocking and bigger guys. I think all those combined will put Laremy way ahead.”
The Dolphins’ decision to move from Albert to Tunsil at left tackle has some financial benefits considering it freed up $8.45 million in cap space and produced a 2018 seventh-round pick when Albert was traded to Jacksonville. But coach Adam Gase said they made the switch because they felt Tunsil continuing to play guard would stunt his development.
“We felt like he was an elite left tackle. We felt like we had a special player there. It looks different. When you watch him, for a guy his size, he moves so smooth,” Gase said. “His confidence when he goes to left tackle, it changes. He knows that’s where he belongs.”
Now it’s a matter of getting comfortable with the speed of the NFL’s pass rushers — because Tunsil will face a steady diet of sack artists — and developing chemistry with whoever ends up playing left guard.
For now it’s Ted Larsen, an seven-year veteran signed this offseason. Larsen, who has started 65 games in his career, will have to hold off fifth-round pick Isaac Asiata to earn that spot.
“That relationship, that could take [time],” Larsen said when asked about chemistry with Tunsil. I feel pretty comfortable with him, and I think he feels the same with me. But yes, there’s always stuff you’re going to figure out. You [want to] get to a point where you don’t need to really say much, a word or two, and you guys are both on the same page.”
That bond will be critical to Tunsil’s development, but at least he’s at a better starting point, playing in the spot, and using the stance, that feels natural.
“It feels good to be at the natural spot I was drafted here for. Playing left guard, I learned a lot. It was a different position, different everything. I’m glad I got the opportunity to play [guard], so I could learn the game inside and out,” Tunsil said. “I always kind of put pressure on myself to get better and always find something new to perfect. I put a lot of pressure on myself just to be that guy.”