Dolphins making guard a priority - Jackson

[AL R]

For years, the Dolphins have tried to get by with young, unproven mid-round guards or journeymen types. They now realize that’s not going to work.

The Dolphins have told people that guard is one of their top three priorities (with defensive end and cornerback), and Miami is expected to try to add at least one veteran, if not two, when free agency begins next week.

The Dolphins like Baltimore’s Kelechi Osemele, but his price has skyrocketed because he can play tackle. The Dolphins are expected to at least inquire, but the bidding could go beyond their price range.

San Francisco’s Alex Boone, who played for new Dolphins offensive line coach Chris Foerster in San Francisco last season, would be more affordable. Boone would have interest.

Geoff Schwartz, 29, who started 11 games for the Giants last season but was released after battling injuries the past two years, “would love to play in Miami,” his agent Deryk Gilmore said. “When healthy, he’s one of the best guards in football.”

Per a team source, Miami held an exploratory conversation regarding Schwartz and has some interest but also wants to explore other options.

Other guard options potentially in play for Miami beyond the aforementioned: Houston’s Brandon Brooksand Ben Jones (Houston has made Brooks a priority); ex-Saint Jahri Evans; Pittsburgh’s Ramon Foster(rated 16th among all guard by Pro Football Focus); Kansas City’s Jeff Allen (10th by PFF), Minnesota’sMichael Harris (23rd); Jacksonville’s Zane Beadles (64th/released Thursday and pursued by Miami in 2014) and Seattle’s J.R. Sweezy (66th).

Miami tried last August to sign Evan Mathis, rated the No. 3 guard by PFF this past season, but Mathis --– again a free agent --– reportedly needs ankle surgery and hasn’t decided whether to play next season.

PFF rated incumbent Dolphins starters Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas 69th and 81st, respectively, among 81 qualifying guards.

### The Dolphins continue to work on resigning Lamar Miller, but the question is whether Miami will agree to give him more than $5 million per season, or whether he would settle for $5 million or slightly less. Miller, who averaged 15 touches last season, has said on WQAM that he ideally wants 20.

### Even though the Dolphins like Rishard Matthews, they’ve told people there’s a good chance he will command more in free agency than what they can comfortably offer.

http://www.finheaven.com/showthread...-priority-Jackson&p=1065673014#post1065673014

 

[MARINO1384]

Great job dallas thomas, most people thought he'd never accomplish anything but being the worst guard in the league is pretty damn impressive. Kid never gave up and worked hard to be that bad.

 

[Hayden Fox]

I would be happy with Boone at LG. Tough player. Good leader.

 

[Travis34]

Anyone have the skinny on Allen from KC?

 

[mrodriguez4096]

OMG. I am shocked Dallas Thomas rated out as the worst. I mean I thought he wore skates when it came to blocking. I'll admit I hated, just hated when I saw him in the huddle on an important down.

I am thankful that Guard finally seems to be taking a priority. I would love to go into next season with a good line. I can't even wrap my head around how that would be.

I'm also holding out hope they sign Miller, I like how he has progressed.

 

[phinfan40353]

Osemele.... please don't tease me. It's not even funny.

On a more realistic and serious note.... it sounds like we are genuinely trying to re-sign Miller and value him. And I am shocked a bit with the honest they gave Matthews. They realize he may command more money on the market and have encouraged him to seek it. I realize it is a nice way of saying, "we don't want you"... but in some regards they are telling him he does have talent to command a decent salary.

Re-sign Miller, let Matthews walk and spend some coin on some good guards. I like the sound of those statements.

But I do think MLB is more pressing than DE. Even if OV walks. We at least have options at DE with Wake and Shelby (if kept). We have NOTHING at MLB and need upgrades at every LB position.

I'd like to see at least 3 new LBs on the roster from draft and FA.

 

[AL R]

Anyone have the skinny on Allen from KC?

I found this article, one obstacle Miami is going to have with a lot of these FA - are we ready to win?

Allen joined the podcast of our old pal Geoff Schwartz this week. It's called the Block 'Em Up podcast and you should be listening to it. The co-host, Duke Manyweather, asked Allen what was looking for in free agency this year. (Go to the 10:25 mark in the player above to hear the interview)

"First off I'm looking for a team that's ready to win," Allen said on the podcast "I think Kansas City, we did a good job this year putting together a good season but we didn't finish the way we wanted to. I'm looking for a team that's going to be a Super Bowl contender. A team where I'm gonna be comfortable with the guys in the room. I want one position where I know I'm going to be playing going into the offseason so I can focus on one thing."

Allen was valuable to the Chiefs because he could play guard and tackle (and, heck, even center). I do see his point though about focusing in on one position. It's probably hard to get better at one position when you're playing multiple spots.

Someone is going to get a good offensive lineman. Maybe it'll be the Chiefs.

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2016/1/22/10814516/jeff-allen-free-agency-kansas-city-chiefs

 

[hoops]

Evan mathis played that well despite needing ankle surgery? Probably some bone spurs or loose bodies...color me impressed...

We could sign anything and be better off than dallas thomas...lamar millers market sounds team friendly right now...

Jeff allen fits the zone scheme...more than boone imo

billy turner as a starter is not gonna lose you football games

 

[Travis34]

I want one position where I know I'm going to be playing going into the offseason so I can focus on one thing."

Well it's a damn good thing Philbin isn't here then at least

 

[raving]

Let OV go and spend 9 to 10 million on your O-line plus draft at least two and then take a bunch of UDFA and hope you can cobble together a line.

Albert is injury prone and cannot be counted on.

Pouncy is overrated.

We have no guards and a pretty good right tackle.

Philbin KILLED us!

 

[LDaniel7]

Great job dallas thomas, most people thought he'd never accomplish anything but being the worst guard in the league is pretty damn impressive. Kid never gave up and worked hard to be that bad.

He had Philbin's support the whole way.

Smokin' Joe loved Dallas Thomas. Like a Dad. Awesome snapshots and stances! Kept old Joe comin back for more.

Papa Joe was disappointed that Thomas only got RT to pee blood though. He was hoping his favorite guard could get RT to go on IR, so he could start Moore without controversy.

RT17 was just too tough, though. He peed his blood and came back to work the next day. Undaunted by the fact that Papa Joe still claimed that Dallas was a great guard.

LD

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Anyone have the skinny on Allen from KC?

I found this article, one obstacle Miami is going to have with a lot of these FA - are we ready to win?

Allen joined the podcast of our old pal Geoff Schwartz this week. It's called the Block 'Em Up podcast and you should be listening to it. The co-host, Duke Manyweather, asked Allen what was looking for in free agency this year. (Go to the 10:25 mark in the player above to hear the interview)

"First off I'm looking for a team that's ready to win," Allen said on the podcast "I think Kansas City, we did a good job this year putting together a good season but we didn't finish the way we wanted to. I'm looking for a team that's going to be a Super Bowl contender. A team where I'm gonna be comfortable with the guys in the room. I want one position where I know I'm going to be playing going into the offseason so I can focus on one thing."

Allen was valuable to the Chiefs because he could play guard and tackle (and, heck, even center). I do see his point though about focusing in on one position. It's probably hard to get better at one position when you're playing multiple spots.

Someone is going to get a good offensive lineman. Maybe it'll be the Chiefs.

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2016/1/22/10814516/jeff-allen-free-agency-kansas-city-chiefs

I have a ton of respect for former NFL G/C LeCharles Bentely and his performance club for developing lineman. Here is a few words of his on Jeff Allen:

. . .as a player I feel that whomever gets Jeff Allen is probably going to end up with one of the most underrated offensive linemen in the National Football League,” Bentley said. “As a player, he’s everything that you want. There’s nothing that he can’t do.

“That being said, he may not aesthetically be what you’re looking for, but when you start talking about performance, there aren’t many players at guard in the league that can do the things that he can do consistently.”

Specifically, Bentley was impressed by Allen’s improved physicality and technique in 2015.

“Anybody can go out and be big and strong for a couple plays, but to be able to do it back-to-back-to-back, that’s when you know you’ve got something pretty unique, and that’s what allows Jeff to be, in my opinion, one of the better guards in the NFL at this point in time,” Bentley said. “I know people may not see him as that, but I will challenge anyone to find me 10 guards better than him.”

What’s more, Bentley — who trained Allen prior to the 2014 season but no longer does so — knows exactly what kind of person he is, too.

“I think the biggest thing with Jeff is he’s a tremendous person — I think that needs to be acknowledged,” Bentley said. “I just don’t believe that at this point in the league anymore, guys can be dirtbags and end up being highly successful people and players.

“When you pay him, be it a lot or be it a little, he’s not shutting it down. Jeff is a guy who is always going to be a consummate pro, he’s going to be incrementally looking to get better. And I think, at this point in time, with where offensive line play is in the league, to have a guy like that, what more could you ask for?”

Full article: Kansas City Star -Jeff Allen


The very last bolded sentence also speaks to Allen searching for a contender regardless of pay.

 

[67Stang]

Please let this be true! I mean how the hell do we address the O-Line issues from 2014 with only a 4th round pick in the draft and expect to have success? I mean who goes with the moto of maybe Dallas Thomas will miraculously not suck any more? We do!

 

[variety]

KO is a LT at this point. Unless you view him as a LT and unless you are willing to pay him top LT money you won't be able to land him. Certainly not to play Guard. I love him as a player, the guy is a mountain of a mauler, great in pass protection and a beast as a run blocker. He's got Mike Tyson like hands the way he punishes people. Love his nasty attitude. But I doubt we'll be able to afford him.

 

[Kdawg954]

Has to be the number one priority.

Need a top level guard, a swing tackle/guard and another cheaper veteran. Not really interested in drafting a lineman this year.