Former Alabama right guard Anthony Steen made his first ever start at center for the Miami Dolphins during last week’s preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons and earned the praise of head coach Adam Gase.
“The communication was outstanding,” Gase told the Palm Beach Post. “I love the way he plays.”
The coach specified to the newspaper that he loved seeing Steen be aggressive, physical and tough. He also liked the communication between Steen and quarterback Ryan Tannehill during protection audibles against Atlanta.
“I thought I did all right,” Steen said of his performance. “I could have done a lot better, though. There is plenty of room to improve.”
Steen was a starter during his final two seasons at Alabama in 2012-’13. He was a second-team All-SEC lineman in 2013 before going undrafted in 2014 and spending his first two NFL seasons as a practice squad player for the Arizona Cardinals.
Steen has stepped in at center while former Florida lineman Mike Pouncey recovers from a bruised hip. Pouncey told NBC he is “optimistic” he’ll return in Week 1 or 2 and Gase echoed that sentiment by saying he was going to be “week to week.”
Jason covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
