After years of construction, the Miami Dolphins offensive line isn't completed

[fisi]

The Dolphins drafted Jake Long with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft to be their left tackle for years to come. 10 years later, the second pick in the 2008 draft (Matt Ryan) is on his way to the NFC championship game.

After drafting Long, the Dolphins spent plenty of money and draft picks with no success, until Mike Pouncey was drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft.

Pouncey had a great rookie campaign and quickly became a star along Miami’s offensive line. The only issue is that he hasn’t played a full season since his second year in the NFL.

In the 2013 off season the Dolphins signed the “best” left tackle of the free agency period in Branden Albert. Albert has been great for the Dolphins, when healthy. He has only played more than 75 percent of Miami’s games just once in his three years.

The Dolphins are about to enter 2017 with Albert and Pouncey being paid as top-12 players at their positions, while both continue to be injury prone and they aren’t getting any younger.

The Dolphins have a huge problem on their hands:

The team needs a right guard this off season, but also need at least six pieces on defense, without counting depth. After 2017, the Dolphins are going to need to fix their left guard position when Laremy Tunsil moves to left tackle.

Its really hard to believe that this team have drafted an offensive lineman 9 straight drafts and have spent well over $100 million on that position and still hasn't got it right. Meanwhile it took Dallass just 2 draft and one lucky undrafted free agent to get to where they are in that position.


http://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/20...-offensive-line-isnt-close-to-being-complete/

 

[Highzenga]

I feel like the OL is fine. We could use a guard to replace bushrod and move bushrod to the bench as a swing tackle. Not sure what you're referring to as far as needing 6 starters on defense. We need a lb or 2 and a pass rusher would be nice. This isn't madden and we don't need pro bowlers at every position. I agree that beyond lb, depth is our biggest problem. However, we were down 8 starters and still made the playoffs so...

 

[DuderinoN703]

6 defenseman without counting depth? What?

 

[Loui F Baby]

Drafting is not easy, and I keep seeing this thing about Matt Ryan. Would we be in the playoff with Matt Ryan? Their Oline is just now getting together, and if Matt Ryan doesn't come with Julio, Freeman, Coleman and that Oline then how much of a difference would he make? I have been in Atl for 5 years and this guy has had a rough time. The fans wanted a QB change last year, even though he puts up numbers he tends to make horrible mistakes when they really need him to make a play.
In all fairness, we have had some horrible management and coaching come through Miami. That is why the team is like this. The messed you thing is that we have paid a lot for this Oline but it's not a line that I think we can rely on. On Dline, Wake is getting older so in a year or two, we will have to find his replacement which will not be easy.

 

[Kdawg954]

Easily the most disappointing area on the entire team. Most resources with the least amount of return. It is an absolute disgrace that we have not been able to get this part of the team corrected over the past decade and change.

Even one successful 2nd round pick or later over the years and it could of helped the group. If it is not a first rounder, it just hasn't been very good. Unacceptable and has to get better.

 

[Superself]

The offensive line will never be completed. Injuries happen and you always have to have a plan in place for them. The offensive line is not just ONE guy....it is five guys and it takes a special player with football smarts and strength to get it done right more than half the time. Finding guys like that isn't easy at all. As a matter of fact, look around the league and there are only a few teams with really good offensive lines and most of them have been fortunate that the injury bug has not bitten them as much as it has others. There is a huge drop off once you start dealing with 3rd and 4th string offensive linemen....HUGE. This is why you have to always keep bringing in more bodies every year to compete. Then there is the lack of reps which is another issue.

 

[FSU Truth]

Easily the most disappointing area on the entire team. Most resources with the least amount of return. It is an absolute disgrace that we have not been able to get this part of the team corrected over the past decade and change.

Even one successful 2nd round pick or later over the years and it could of helped the group. If it is not a first rounder, it just hasn't been very good. Unacceptable and has to get better.

This has been the biggest issue going back to Ireland (maybe even further), the inability to identify and draft mid-round lineman that can become average starters in the NFL. Tunsil was a great pick, but when you consider the Patriots draft Thuney in the 3rd and was in the same consideration as far as play, it is a little dishartening. Granted, Tunsil should develop into a elite LT, the fact that we needed a gas mask video and 1st round pick to land someone like him is the tragedy. We need to be able to identify guys like a Thuney if we hope to build this roster and this position group.

 

[rent this space]

It didn't help that we switched back and forth between power and finesse schemes every couple years throughout that decade

 

[Superself]

Easily the most disappointing area on the entire team. Most resources with the least amount of return. It is an absolute disgrace that we have not been able to get this part of the team corrected over the past decade and change.

Even one successful 2nd round pick or later over the years and it could of helped the group. If it is not a first rounder, it just hasn't been very good. Unacceptable and has to get better.

Well you take everyone healthy and it isn't such a disgrace. Hard to predict injuries and they are more difficult to overcome when you have your starters go down. Solid to good offensive linemen are not easy to come by.....which is why Dallas Thomas types are continually brought in and cut.
Just have to keep trying to bring in more bodies.

 

[FinfanInBuffalo]

Not to nitpick but Dallas drafted a lineman in the first round in three drafts (Smith, Frederick, Martin). They got Collins as a gift in another draft. They were also successful with Leary as a college free agent and Free drafted in the 4th round. They hit on their draft picks but it did take 5 drafts. They were criticized for drafting Frederick in the first round. People questioned whether Martin was the right pick, given their needs at the time.

In addition, they have been relatively injury free and haven't changed blocking philosophies.

 

[Superself]

Not to nitpick but Dallas drafted a lineman in the first round in three drafts (Smith, Frederick, Martin). They got Collins as a gift in another draft. They were also successful with Leary as a college free agent and Free drafted in the 4th round. They hit on their draft picks but it did take 5 drafts. They were criticized for drafting Frederick in the first round. People questioned whether Martin was the right pick, given their needs at the time.

In addition, they have been relatively injury free and haven't changed blocking philosophies.

That is the key.

 

[BlueUndertow]

When healthy:

LT - Albert
LG - Tunsil
C - Pouncey
RG - FA/Draft
RT - James

When Albert and Pouncey inevitably become injured during the season:

LT - Tunsil
LG - FA/Draft
C - FA/Draft
RG - FA/Draft
RT - James

So likely need at least 3 pieces on the OL this offseason.

 

[maralieus]

1 name. Pat elfein. Ohio state. Played both guard positions, AND center his senior year. Outstanding run blocker who plays mean and has a great motor. Perfect backup for Pouncey, ideal fit between Tunsil and Pouncey when Pouncey is healthy. Do it. Please. Finish the damn o-line, it still cost us this year. Pittsburgh got way too much pressure up the gut against our running game.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Not to nitpick but Dallas drafted a lineman in the first round in three drafts (Smith, Frederick, Martin). They got Collins as a gift in another draft. They were also successful with Leary as a college free agent and Free drafted in the 4th round. They hit on their draft picks but it did take 5 drafts. They were criticized for drafting Frederick in the first round. People questioned whether Martin was the right pick, given their needs at the time.

In addition, they have been relatively injury free and haven't changed blocking philosophies.

They run both gap and zone schemes. As do we and most teams, FWIW. College teams are pretty much the only ones who are relegated to a single blocking scheme.

That whole ship has pretty much run it's course as far NFL teams being ZBS or Gap specific. Much like secondary players in the NFL have to play both man and zone coverage.

 

[Danny]

We've missed a lot on draft picks and we got BA knowing he couldn't stay healthy. Of course now Pouncey can't stay healthy either. People on this board need to stop saying the o-line is fine when they're healthy......when are they healthy? That's the problem. We're counting on two guys to stay healthy when everyone with half a brain knows they can't. Changes are needed. Hard to see a guy like Ajayi going 100/mph on every down and getting no help up front. Get two real guards in here once and for all, move Tunsil to LT and say bye to BA who is one of my favorite players but this is not working. NE does it right. They rather get rid of somebody a year too early than a year too late. Not us, we keep guys a year or two longer than we should and never get anything for them. NE always has extra picks and we're always wishing we had more picks. Then we have the fools in here saying things like "he needs to end his playing days as a Dolphin".....why?......you get sentimental and you'll have every player retired a Dolphin and never get any picks for him so that you keep bringing in new talent. We're supposed to be trying to be like NE? Then start acting like it

Ozzy rules!!