Dolphins rookie OT Jonathan Martin is making the transition from the right to the left side this week against the San Francisco 49ers. According to coach Joe Philbin, it’s no big deal.
“It’s still keeping your body in between the defender and the quarterback,” Philbin said. “That hasn’t change, but there’s slight mechanical things that the body has to get used to it. Ultimately, it’s not that big of a difference, I don’t think.”
Martin, who has started every game this season at right tackle, was forced to switch to rookie QB Ryan Tannehill’s blindside after starting LT Jake Long was lost to a season-ending triceps injury last week against the Patriots. OT Nate Garner took Martin’s place on the right but struggled in pass protection, allowing a sack that resulted in a fumble.
“Jonathan is having a very good year considering the fact that he started from day one as a rookie in this league and the players he's gone against,” OC Mike Sherman said. “I think he’s done a good job. Moving over during the course of a game, and a seamless move so to speak is pretty impressive. A young man like that just out of college and already having played both sides of the line and being thrown over there in the middle of the game speaks volumes of what he's all about.”
And Martin and Garner must be at their best against the 49ers. San Francisco touts elite pass-rushing LB Aldon Smith, who has a league-leading 17.5 sacks.
Moving and shaking: The Dolphins welcomed back a pair of familiar faces on Tuesday.
Miami signed OT Patrick Brown and DB Tyrone Culver as it waived DB Anderson Russell and placed Long on injured reserve. Brown, a 6-foot-5, 310-pounder, spent three weeks with the Dolphins in 2011 before being waived. He played in 15 games with the Vikings in 2011.
Meantime, Culver could play an immediate role with the team as he was released on Sept. 1 at the end of training camp. Culver is a standout special teams player and could contribute to a secondary ravaged by injuries and poor play.
"Really, it’s just about fitting back in and playing a role and just giving the team everything I’ve got this week," Culver told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "In the NFL, it’s all about taking advantage of your opportunities. I was lucky enough to get another one here and I'm ready to make the most of it."
And his coach is excited to have him back in the mix.
"He’s a quality individual," Philbin told the newspaper. "Obviously, he has familiarity with what we do and we’ll see if we can get him acclimated as quickly as we can and see if he can help us."
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