John Jerry Solid In Debut At Left Tackle
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Lost amidst the hubbub of the Dolphins victory and the stellar performance of Reggie Bush was the solid job a backup did trying to fill the biggest shoes on the Fins' offense.
Offensive lineman John Jerry had to fill in for starting left tackle Jake Long on Sunday and helped pave the way for Bush to run for more than 200 yards in the Fins' victory over the Buffalo Bills. It caught the attention of interim head coach Todd Bowles.
"The biggest thing about John is he's physical and he likes to compete," Bowles said Monday. "We have to clean up some technical things about him in the past game that type of thing. He put his weight on some people. He moved some piles. It was a very positive thing."
Jerry had last been seen playing guard along the Fins' offensive line and struggling at that position. His turn at left tackle Sunday was the first time he had played the position in the National Football League.
Part of what helped Jerry along in the game was a little coaching help from Long on the sidelines.
"Jake was outstanding on the sideline like a coach on the field," Bowles said of Long. "I think we have a lot of guys like that at various positions that help you when you come off the field if those guys aren't getting it done or injured or anything. Jake was valuable to him."
As for the incumbent, Bowles said they are hopeful to get Long back for the final two games of the season, but wasn't positive it would happen.
"We haven't gotten the injury report back yet; but he's no worse because he didn't play," Bowles said. "We'll kind of take it day by day and see where he is during the week."
