CBS analyst Randy Cross: Jake Grove’s play has ’surprised me’

Spoke this week with CBS analyst Randy Cross, who was a three-time All-Pro as a guard during the glory days of Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers, about the Dolphins offense and particularly the offensive line for a story running in Sunday’s paper. Didn’t get a chance to use much of what he said about center Jake Grove, so we thought it would be a good idea to use it in this forum. Cross said that Grove has “surprised me” with his play this season. Asked if he was talking about how consistently he’s played, Cross replied, “Not so much consistency as with his power and strength. He’s a different player than he was in Oakland. He’s playing more aggressive, and looser.” Grove certainly held his own in a big test against now-injured Jets nose tackle Kris Jenkins, who is considered one of the best in the business. Jenkins and New England’s Vince Wolfork really had their way with Samson Satele. As many will recall, Ronnie Brown’s 2-yard touchdown run to win that game pretty much went right through Jenkins’ spot. “He didn’t dominate (Jenkins), but you’re not going to dominate those guys,” Cross said. “If you can play them to a stalemate it’s a big-time plus for your team.” Asked left guard Justin Smiley about those comments the same day and, while Smiley was very careful not to say anything negative about Satele, he did have high praise for Grove. “Jake Grove is a good player,” he said. “He can flat-out play. We’re happy and very lucky to have him. “Taking nothing away from Samson, but they’re two different players. (Right

guard) Donald Thomas has done a nice job for us too — he’s a brute. And the sky’s the limit for him. Each week we getter and jell as a unit. We’re headed in the right direction.” Edgar Thompson caught up with Grove later in the week and asked him his reaction to Cross’ comments. Like most offensive linemen, he preferred to talk about the group rather than himself. “We’re getting more comfortable with each other,” he said. “The biggest thing is we’re just doing it. Now that we’re into the regular season they’re calling runs and we’re executing what they call.” Told he’s been called “nasty” by some of his teammates, Grove replied, “I try to play to the whistle to every play and finish blocks and make sure my guy’s not jumping onto the pile at the end of it. If that’s nasty, that’s fine. I don’t get many penalties, I don’t get fined. I just try to finish my blocks.” At 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, Grove is taller but about the same weight as Satele; one might even call him on the small side for an O-lineman. “I’ve never been a real big guy,” he said. “I’ve never been the biggest guy on the offensive line. I’ve played bigger guys than I am so I’ve always had to do something to give myself an advantage. I think I’ve made a living finishing plays and doing extra stuff to make sure I finish blocks and make sure my guy doesn’t get in on the play.”

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CBS analyst Randy Cross: Jake Grove’s play has ’surprised me’

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