Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland understands the right side of his team’s offensive line needs to be rebuilt…AGAIN. Incumbent starter Vernon Carey, the former University of Miami standout who has started at both guard and tackle for the past seven seasons, will likely end up playing for another team following a solid season, where it turns out Carey was an alternate for the 2012 Pro Bowl.
Despite the amount of money and draft picks the Bill Parcells era placed into the position, Ireland admits the offensive line was one of the team’s biggest issues considering Miami led the NFL in sacks (52) per passing play in 2011. Ireland acknowledged at this point, without an offensive line coach, he’s uncertain about the best approach to repair the unit, which features Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long, Richie Incognito at left guard, and center Mike Pouncey, who produced a solid rookie season. But Ireland likes the fact new head coach Joe Philbin has an offensive line background, which will help in the evaluation process.
“You have to look at what’s available in free agency and the draft and things like that. I think you can look into free agency to try to do some of that,” Ireland said, somewhat thinking out loud. “You can certainly look at some of the players on our roster who will certainly have an opportunity to fill those roles.”
“One of the big things we didn’t have was Lydon Murtha this year,” Ireland said of Murtha, who did a solid job as the starting left tackle during the preseason. “He ended the 2010 season really strong, and I was looking forward to really seeing what he was going to become.”
Ireland made it clear he expects Long to make a full recovery from all his injuries last season, and admitted he isn’t sold on Jerry becoming a full-time starter for the Dolphins.
Jerry’s erratic play, practice habits and questionable conditioning have been an issue for the past two seasons.
“John has come a long way. He’s got a long way to go, I’ll tell you that,” Ireland said. “I like John. We coached him here at the Senior Bowl. He was able to fill in at different places, from tackle to guard. He’s got some role flexibility. He needs to get better. But he’s got a chance.”
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Despite the amount of money and draft picks the Bill Parcells era placed into the position, Ireland admits the offensive line was one of the team’s biggest issues considering Miami led the NFL in sacks (52) per passing play in 2011. Ireland acknowledged at this point, without an offensive line coach, he’s uncertain about the best approach to repair the unit, which features Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long, Richie Incognito at left guard, and center Mike Pouncey, who produced a solid rookie season. But Ireland likes the fact new head coach Joe Philbin has an offensive line background, which will help in the evaluation process.
“You have to look at what’s available in free agency and the draft and things like that. I think you can look into free agency to try to do some of that,” Ireland said, somewhat thinking out loud. “You can certainly look at some of the players on our roster who will certainly have an opportunity to fill those roles.”
“One of the big things we didn’t have was Lydon Murtha this year,” Ireland said of Murtha, who did a solid job as the starting left tackle during the preseason. “He ended the 2010 season really strong, and I was looking forward to really seeing what he was going to become.”
Ireland made it clear he expects Long to make a full recovery from all his injuries last season, and admitted he isn’t sold on Jerry becoming a full-time starter for the Dolphins.
Jerry’s erratic play, practice habits and questionable conditioning have been an issue for the past two seasons.
“John has come a long way. He’s got a long way to go, I’ll tell you that,” Ireland said. “I like John. We coached him here at the Senior Bowl. He was able to fill in at different places, from tackle to guard. He’s got some role flexibility. He needs to get better. But he’s got a chance.”
http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sport...sweblog+(Miami+Dolphins+|+Sun-Sentinel+Blogs)
