Is there a plan for the OL?

[dolfan4good]

The Dolphins released guards Seth McKinney and Bennie Anderson and decided not to re-sign left tackle Damion McIntosh and guards Kendyl Jacox, Jeno James and Toniu Fonoti. But, seven days into the free-agency period, Miami hasn't hosted any offensive linemen for visits.

I read this in the Sun Sentinel and was amazed at the number of linemen we have released. I know its still somewhat early in FA and the draft is ahead of us, but I am very worried about what is happening with the OL. The best OL's in the NFL have been together for a while. It takes time to gel. However, once again it seems we will be using a patched line are dragging our feet in bringing in quality linemen. Im concerned that no matter who the QB ends up being, he will not have the time to be effective. are we running out of time? How do ya'll feel on this matter?

 

[Gofish1331]

I read this in the Sun Sentinel and was amazed at the number of linemen we have released. I know its still somewhat early in FA and the draft is ahead of us, but I am very worried about what is happening with the OL. The best OL's in the NFL have been together for a while. It takes time to gel. However, once again it seems we will be using a patched line are dragging our feet in bringing in quality linemen. Im concerned that no matter who the QB ends up being, he will not have the time to be effective. are we running out of time? How do ya'll feel on this matter?

Ya! Scary as hell! Not sure what they are thinking!:confused:

 

[SabanHater]

They better get something going here. I thought for sure they were going after at least one of the decent FA's. I was wrong.... I have no idea what they have up their sleeve.

 

[Gofish1331]

They better get something going here. I thought for sure they were going after at least one of the decent FA's. I was wrong.... I have no idea what they have up their sleeve.

I hope it goes 6'8" and weighs 310lbs. Hard to hide up a sleeve!:tongue:

 

[RoninFin4]

I read this in the Sun Sentinel and was amazed at the number of linemen we have released. I know its still somewhat early in FA and the draft is ahead of us, but I am very worried about what is happening with the OL. The best OL's in the NFL have been together for a while. It takes time to gel. However, once again it seems we will be using a patched line are dragging our feet in bringing in quality linemen. Im concerned that no matter who the QB ends up being, he will not have the time to be effective. are we running out of time? How do ya'll feel on this matter?

Most of those good O-lines are built through the draft. Take San Diego for instance, Cam's previous team, They drafted LT Marcus McNeil, C Nick Hardwick, and RT Shane Olivea - whom started from day one as a 7th rounder. Dielman was undrafted, but knew Cameron from his collge days. The only FA member of their line was Mike Goff, who was with Cincy before signing with the Chargers.

Obviously our past O-line moves, pretty much all FAs (Shelton, McIntosh, Anderson, Fonoti, Jacox, James, Stockar McDougle last year) were not really effective in our scheme. Hell, the two best O-linemen we have are Vernon Carey and Rex Hadnot, both draft picks. I feel that they're going to address the O-line in the draft.

I'd imagine a long look will be taken at Levi Brown, though I believe it's a reach at #9 overall. I also think that Ryan Kalil would be looked at in the second. I know Houck has met with Andy Alleman, a mid-round G/C prospect from Akron, and Dane Uperesa, a late round T/G prospect from Hawaii. I think they've covered their bases and simply did not want to overpay for Dielman, Steinbach, Dockery etc...just be patient and hang on for the draft my friend.

 

[RoninFin4]

I hope it goes 6'8" and weighs 310lbs. Hard to hide up a sleeve!:tongue:

One can only hope.

 

[nighttrain76]

Our OL will be built through the draft!! Point Blank, there is no need to spend big money on old FA when we can use draft picks and get young players to groom for years to come. I think out of the 8 or 9 picks three should be used on OL. It doesn't have to be in the first round either. I think the 2nd, 4th and one late round will be the place to build our OL.

 

[Gofish1331]

Most of those good O-lines are built through the draft. Take San Diego for instance, Cam's previous team, They drafted LT Marcus McNeil, C Nick Hardwick, and RT Shane Olivea - whom started from day one as a 7th rounder. Dielman was undrafted, but knew Cameron from his collge days. The only FA member of their line was Mike Goff, who was with Cincy before signing with the Chargers.

Obviously our past O-line moves, pretty much all FAs (Shelton, McIntosh, Anderson, Fonoti, Jacox, James, Stockar McDougle last year) were not really effective in our scheme. Hell, the two best O-linemen we have are Vernon Carey and Rex Hadnot, both draft picks. I feel that they're going to address the O-line in the draft.

I'd imagine a long look will be taken at Levi Brown, though I believe it's a reach at #9 overall. I also think that Ryan Kalil would be looked at in the second. I know Houck has met with Andy Alleman, a mid-round G/C prospect from Akron, and Dane Uperesa, a late round T/G prospect from Hawaii. I think they've covered their bases and simply did not want to overpay for Dielman, Steinbach, Dockery etc...just be patient and hang on for the draft my friend.

Well spoken (typed)! Seems New England is doing it the same way!?

 

[fishypete]

One Kalil....and you get Hadnot back at guard.

 

[JFoxx]

Definately believe we are going to see several lineman drafted and possibly some more after the draft (undrafted) and they are going to find the best group they can put in place. In the past, I think the HC was more inclined to use the F/A to fill holes than use draft picks on OL in hopes of getting us "good" immediately. Cam and Houck did a pretty good job via the draft (and undrafted) to build a quality line. I think they want to do the same here. We'll be just fine on the OL, we just need to get those skill positions filled with quality players!

 

[greasyObnoxious]

Most of those good O-lines are built through the draft. Take San Diego for instance, Cam's previous team, They drafted LT Marcus McNeil, C Nick Hardwick, and RT Shane Olivea - whom started from day one as a 7th rounder. Dielman was undrafted, but knew Cameron from his collge days. The only FA member of their line was Mike Goff, who was with Cincy before signing with the Chargers.

Obviously our past O-line moves, pretty much all FAs (Shelton, McIntosh, Anderson, Fonoti, Jacox, James, Stockar McDougle last year) were not really effective in our scheme. Hell, the two best O-linemen we have are Vernon Carey and Rex Hadnot, both draft picks. I feel that they're going to address the O-line in the draft.

I'd imagine a long look will be taken at Levi Brown, though I believe it's a reach at #9 overall. I also think that Ryan Kalil would be looked at in the second. I know Houck has met with Andy Alleman, a mid-round G/C prospect from Akron, and Dane Uperesa, a late round T/G prospect from Hawaii. I think they've covered their bases and simply did not want to overpay for Dielman, Steinbach, Dockery etc...just be patient and hang on for the draft my friend.

great post. our best chance of getting better is drafting a few OL. look at who's left in free agency. Carlisle, Mulitalo, Gandy, etc. they have stop-gap written all over them. we need to bring in our own guys. the sort of players that fit Houck's profile.
i also agree with nighttrain76, we're probably going to use multiple picks on OL. Ben Grubbs would be a nice player at #40. Marshal Yanda at #60, Andy Alleman in round 3. there's a lot of options. i'm confident Mueller and Cameron will make the right decision

 

[RoninFin4]

Well spoken (typed)! Seems New England is doing it the same way!?

Thanks. I agree with the New England assessment. Light, Mankins, Koppen and O'Callaghan were all drafted. I believe they dug Stephen Neal out of the undrafted free agent bin and got Billy Yates, one of their top backups, from us a few years back. I definitely seems that drafting the O-line and keeping them together provides a more cohesive, effective unit. I remember last year the Pats line were all growing beards at the same time. I know that's small, but it seems like they play really well together, and I only hope that we can provide solid additions to Carey, Hadnot, and perhaps Shelton if he sticks around.

 

[RoninFin4]

One Kalil....and you get Hadnot back at guard.

I think he was more effective at G in 2005 than at C this past year. I think a more mobile, experienced C like Kalil - who's of a very similar style of Nick Hardwick in San Deigo, will help us get a more mobile line. Saban's idea of the behemoths pretty much stunk. Look at the line that paved the way for Ricky in 2002, other than Jamie Nails, none were overly big, and all were pretty mobile. I think it's time to revert to that, at least in some way.

 

[trate121hb]

i see us picking up one or 2 guys in FA....not big names but ok guys and then just hitting the draft hard similar to what the Jets did last year....all it takes a to hit on a 2 guys really that can start immediately......i think guys like Brown, Kalil, Ugoh and others in round 2 can start immediatley

 

[RenoFinFan]

Most of those good O-lines are built through the draft. Take San Diego for instance, Cam's previous team, They drafted LT Marcus McNeil, C Nick Hardwick, and RT Shane Olivea - whom started from day one as a 7th rounder. Dielman was undrafted, but knew Cameron from his collge days. The only FA member of their line was Mike Goff, who was with Cincy before signing with the Chargers.

Obviously our past O-line moves, pretty much all FAs (Shelton, McIntosh, Anderson, Fonoti, Jacox, James, Stockar McDougle last year) were not really effective in our scheme. Hell, the two best O-linemen we have are Vernon Carey and Rex Hadnot, both draft picks. I feel that they're going to address the O-line in the draft.

I'd imagine a long look will be taken at Levi Brown, though I believe it's a reach at #9 overall. I also think that Ryan Kalil would be looked at in the second. I know Houck has met with Andy Alleman, a mid-round G/C prospect from Akron, and Dane Uperesa, a late round T/G prospect from Hawaii. I think they've covered their bases and simply did not want to overpay for Dielman, Steinbach, Dockery etc...just be patient and hang on for the draft my friend.

Good post...I think you are right on. In the long-term this is a sound strategy. In the short-term this could be disaster this coming year given the debacle when Culpepper played last year. It would not be a shock to see both Brown and Kalil drafted in rounds 1 & 2 as you indicated. Kalil would be an excellent round 2 pick IMO.