Starting a rookie at left tackle is a stressful call for any coach to make, even with a No. 1 pick. Starting one on a short week against the league's No. 1 sack squad? That's just plain terrifying.
Nobody seems to shaking in their cleats down in Miami though, as the loss of Pro Bowler Branden Albert for the season has opened the door for youngster Ja'Wuan James to slide over and fill his shoes.
James has held his own on the right side on the line through nine games this season, and his teammates seem confident in his abilities on the blind side.
"Obviously, any time you’ve got to move from one side to the other it’s going to take time, it’s going to take practice, but the kid’s ready for the challenge and I think he’s going to do a really good job,” center Mike Pouncey said via the Palm Beach Post Monday.
Though he filled in for Albert following his departure from Sunday's game, it'll be James's first official start at left tackle for the Dolphins. He'll have to deal with the likes of Mario Williams and Manny Lawson Thursday night, who have combined for eight sacks thus far.
Kyle Williams, who has 2.5 sacks of his own, is sure to be in the mix as well, though he downplayed Albert's absence when talking with reporters Tuesday.
"They’re going shuffle guys around and they might move guys from one position to the other so it’s something in-game that we might have to adjust to and be ready for."
Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone had nothing but positive things to say about James, as well.
"I looked at the young kid and I thought he’s an outstanding player," Marrone said. "He was playing right. I thought he was doing a hell of a job at right. They moved him to left last game. I thought he was doing a hell of a job at left. I think he’s a heck of a player."
