Miami Offensive Line - Looking Ahead

[FSU Truth]

Yesterday we discussed the defense and how we could potentially improve it going forward. Today I thought I would look at the offensive line. What is encouraging about this group is you do have 3 good to very good players in Pouncey, James, and Albert and you have a rising player in Turner. The issue is LG and depth which is just awful. Many of these issue may be due to coaching (god knows why Tuner sat for 4 weeks) and why this staff still continues to think that Thomas is a viable option at LG. I still believe we need to draft heavily on the defensive side of the ball and would prefer to look to free agency to fill the LG position and finding better depth.


LT
76 ALBERT, BRANDEN U/KC
74 Fox, Jason U/Det

LG
63 Thomas, Dallas 13/3
77 Turner, Billy 14/3

C
51 Pouncey, Mike 11/1
66 McClendon, Jacques SF15

RG
77 Turner, Billy 14/3
75 Douglas, Jamil 15/4

RT
72 Linkenbach, Jeff U/KC
68 John, Ulrick P/Ind
70 James, Ja'Wuan 14/1



Free Agents:
Jeff Linenbach,
Jacques McCledon
Ulrick John

Questions:
Which players do you build around?
How should they go about addressing the depth?
Do you consider trading Pouncey?
How do you finally fix the LG position?
What Free Agents or draft prospects do you think can help?

 

[Gonzo]

Questions:
Which players do you build around?

James, Pouncey, and Turner; the youth of the line. I think Turner will continue to develop and can provide depth at OT as well, if we get coaches with brains.

How should they go about addressing the depth?

FA for the most part, with some developmental late picks, like most teams. We are one of the only ones who seem to **** it up on a regular basis.

Do you consider trading Pouncey?

As much as I dislike the douchebag, I just don't think we have the luxury to be able to create another hole on the line.

How do you finally fix the LG position?

FA veteran and develop Douglas at his natural LG position. This is one of the only places I care that we look to FA for starter material and even then, only a couple years, so I don't mind signing one of the older vets. FA should mostly be used to find veteran depth throughout the team this year.

What Free Agents or draft prospects do you think can help?

Probably too early to tell which will actually be available, but I do know that I want nothing to do with Alex Boone. Unfortunately, I don't know what mid-to-late round developmental talent there is. Guess I should read some of Slimm's threads on the subject. An LT to develop as an eventual replacement behind Albert is probably the highest priority and one of the few non-defense picks I'd like to see in the first couple of days.

 

[FSU Truth]

I still believe that Turner can be the LT replacement...while he has the strength to play inside he has the athlete to be a LT.

 

[phinfan40353]

I for one would like to see some doubling down on the OL. I'm tired of relying on the development of late round picks to fill obvious glaring holes that have repeatedly undermined the offense year after year after year after year.... I could go on.

We don't need late round picks on the OL to develop. We already have too many OL prospects we are waiting to develop. I do say waiting, because we can't develop them they must develop themselves.

We need TALENT. We need STARTERS. And we need to stop picking OL as a secondary priority. It has been a secondary draft priority for too long. We finally draft James in the 1st and guess what... he actually IS a solid RT. A starter. Amazing when you apply solutions to a problem.

As much as we need OL, we desperately need a MLB. Another position we have simply neglected for too long. When was the last time we spent a 1st Round pick on MLB?

I'm tired of half measures on the OL. But I will concede this year we need MLB. I suggest we sign a proven LG with a track record of playing at a high level. Then the first 3 rounds I would like to see MLB and OG in 1st 2 rounds and another OG/T in Round 3.

I also think we need to draft or sign a Swing Tackle (good one) and a backup C. Pouncey's health is unreliable and we might want to start grooming his replacement long term. His value to this team as a C is starting to rival his value as a human being. We need an exit strategy and a reliable backup C. Not someone who snaps the football like he is playing croquet.

OL and MLB are my Top 3 priorities this year. I'm tired of half addressing the line every year with devalued picks and resources. Focus on the interior and between the hashes on both sides of the field. We must run and stop the run. This has to change.

 

[FSU Truth]

I for one would like to see some doubling down on the OL. I'm tired of relying on the development of late round picks to fill obvious glaring holes that have repeatedly undermined the offense year after year after year after year.... I could go on.

We don't need late round picks on the OL to develop. We already have too many OL prospects we are waiting to develop. I do say waiting, because we can't develop them they must develop themselves.

We need TALENT. We need STARTERS. And we need to stop picking OL as a secondary priority. It has been a secondary draft priority for too long. We finally draft James in the 1st and guess what... he actually IS a solid RT. A starter. Amazing when you apply solutions to a problem.

As much as we need OL, we desperately need a MLB. Another position we have simply neglected for too long. When was the last time we spent a 1st Round pick on MLB?

I'm tired of half measures on the OL. But I will concede this year we need MLB. I suggest we sign a proven LG with a track record of playing at a high level. Then the first 3 rounds I would like to see MLB and OG in 1st 2 rounds and another OG/T in Round 3.

I also think we need to draft or sign a Swing Tackle (good one) and a backup C. Pouncey's health is unreliable and we might want to start grooming his replacement long term. His value to this team as a C is starting to rival his value as a human being. We need an exit strategy and a reliable backup C. Not someone who snaps the football like he is playing croquet.

OL and MLB are my Top 3 priorities this year. I'm tired of half addressing the line every year with devalued picks and resources. Focus on the interior and between the hashes on both sides of the field. We must run and stop the run. This has to change.

The issue is....we have spent high round picks on guys...Puncey and James are both first rounders...Turner is a third, Martin was a second and Thomas was a 3rd. The problem is and has always been we draft the wrong ****ing guy each time (with the exception of Turner). Right now you have 3 young guys who are good...an aging vet who still plays at a high level. When all the ingredients are there, the line does a good job, but when one goes down and you are relying on the likes of Fox, or Douglas...or who ever...depeth is an issue.

 

[Kdawg954]

I for one would like to see some doubling down on the OL. I'm tired of relying on the development of late round picks to fill obvious glaring holes that have repeatedly undermined the offense year after year after year after year.... I could go on.

We don't need late round picks on the OL to develop. We already have too many OL prospects we are waiting to develop. I do say waiting, because we can't develop them they must develop themselves.

We need TALENT. We need STARTERS. And we need to stop picking OL as a secondary priority. It has been a secondary draft priority for too long. We finally draft James in the 1st and guess what... he actually IS a solid RT. A starter. Amazing when you apply solutions to a problem.

As much as we need OL, we desperately need a MLB. Another position we have simply neglected for too long. When was the last time we spent a 1st Round pick on MLB?

I'm tired of half measures on the OL. But I will concede this year we need MLB. I suggest we sign a proven LG with a track record of playing at a high level. Then the first 3 rounds I would like to see MLB and OG in 1st 2 rounds and another OG/T in Round 3.

I also think we need to draft or sign a Swing Tackle (good one) and a backup C. Pouncey's health is unreliable and we might want to start grooming his replacement long term. His value to this team as a C is starting to rival his value as a human being. We need an exit strategy and a reliable backup C. Not someone who snaps the football like he is playing croquet.

OL and MLB are my Top 3 priorities this year. I'm tired of half addressing the line every year with devalued picks and resources. Focus on the interior and between the hashes on both sides of the field. We must run and stop the run. This has to change.

OL in round 1 would be a critical mistake and its very rare that you find a MLB worth taking top 10. Have you seen the CB situation on this team? If VHIII is on the board Miami needs to fly up to the podium with the card.

I mean i just find it funny that you and others think Miami has "half addressed this line" ... Couldnt be further from the truth, most high end resources used on OL over the past 8 years in the entire NFL, and it is great knowing we invested a top 20 pick on a RT only, to the point where this team considers Jason Fox and Dallas Thomas as the primary backups at LT because James was awful there last season. Not to mention he probably becomes a liability if the next coach decides to move to more of a power scheme. Just a low value overall . . . But hey i guess its understandable when you look at that ****storm of a 2013 draft Ireland put up.

This team needs to draft tons of defense to make up for whiffing on Dion Jordan, Jamar Taylor, Will Davis, Phillip Wheeler and Danelle Ellerbe in 2013. Those five decisions are crippling this team and we cannot afford to turn another blind eye to it, especially when you could lose Vernon and who knows how Wake comes back. Plus we still need a FS.

Gonzo laid out the best oline plan, gonna have to have some faith in Pouncey, James and Albert . . . Turner at RG but also start working him at LT and a combo of FA/Thomas/Douglas at LG and the best man wins. That is a good enough line, plug and play isnt going to make a huge difference, only scheme and improved qb awareness.

 

[ChrisEAS]

Turner is doing just fine at RG, keep him there. Im so surprised Douglas isnt playing LG, how much worse can u be than dallas thomas?

 

[Kdawg954]

Turner is doing just fine at RG, keep him there. Im so surprised Douglas isnt playing LG, how much worse can u be than dallas thomas?

I think you would be crazy to not test him at LT. It is the position he held down in college and he certainly is athletic enough to be a damn good player there . . . He needs reps and this team needs a guy who can backup and eventually take over for Branden Albert. I honestly believe that is the highest priority on this offensive line.

 

[Dr. Phin]

Pouncy is not "very good". He has played pretty much like crap for the past two years. He has not been the same after his injury. James isn't "very good" either. He is "adequate"...average...not "crap" like our guards and backups are...but that's it.

 

[Tannchise]

Fox has to go. Pouncey is an all-pro player, why trade him? Maybe move Jones to LT and cut the rest. rebuild a better line

 

[FSU Truth]

I think you would be crazy to not test him at LT. It is the position he held down in college and he certainly is athletic enough to be a damn good player there . . . He needs reps and this team needs a guy who can backup and eventually take over for Branden Albert. I honestly believe that is the highest priority on this offensive line.

Yes, he needs cross train and it is a failure by this staff that it wasn't started earlier.

---------- Post added at 12:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:07 PM ----------

Pouncy is not "very good". He has played pretty much like crap for the past two years. He has not been the same after his injury. James isn't "very good" either. He is "adequate"...average...not "crap" like our guards and backups are...but that's it.

You are not watching then...James is one of the best pass blocking RTs in the game...as a second year player.

Pouncey does very well at center...he was bad as a guard, but handles his job very well at center.

 

[Pat-London]

I'm probably coming across as a non stop playing record, but I firmly believe we must build an Offensive Line that can counteract the strengths of the divisional opponents, and that for me, means we need to get more stout inside.

LT - Albert - questionable for me right now as history has shown to repeat itself with the injuries, and he's been around a while too - As Left Tackle is a pretty key position, I would be looking everywhere for a replacement that may be needed sooner rather than later.

LG - let's not go there right now.

C - I know I'm probably going to be in a very small minority here, but I do have concerns with Pouncey. Incredible athlete and seems to have turned a corner with his maturity. But... he doesn't anchor as well as I'd like for a Center against these divisional DLines and is vulnerable with head up rushes. Additionally from an interior run game standpoint - for his Pro Bowl status that he carries, I would expect better play in this aspect of the run game

RG - Turner. I'm a fan - but he does need a lot of work still on technique, but he is improving and I suspect he'll be one of those who sees a lot of growth from year 1 to year 2 [playing time wise] nasty, physcial, anchors well and has got phenomenal feet, and his understanding of downfield zone blocking has really improved. Don't think he's a Tackle though - I'd keep this guy inside.

RT - James. For me the Jury is still out - in large part because I don't see that, 'nasty-I want to dominate and pound on defensive players' type of attitude. Much like the Parcelsism "if they don't bite as pups..."


Others

Douglas - he looked a bit lost last week, first game - ok, I'll cut him some slack, but he also looked heavier than the start of the season and wasn't moving nearly as well I thought.

Fox - I'm not so sure he'd be better inside at Guard - at least as a back up. He's experienced and is tougher, but lacks the feet I think, to play either Tackle.

I'd mentioned it after last weeks game that I hoped they would bring McClendon back - and they did, so I do hope we get to see him. He's a Guard first and foremost, may be able to play Center, but I'd much rather put him at LG.


With the possibility of a new coaching staff next year and perhaps a new system - it has the potential to change a lot from this year to next year.

 

[Kdawg954]

Pouncy is not "very good". He has played pretty much like crap for the past two years. He has not been the same after his injury. James isn't "very good" either. He is "adequate"...average...not "crap" like our guards and backups are...but that's it.

Pouncey has been much better this season, his problem is the bad snaps disease he had in Florida has started to rear its head again.

Pouncey on the move may be the best center in the NFL, but he can struggle with the high end big sized interior linemen in the NFL, and I am not comfortable with him as the "leader" of this line/team.

Still we cant afford to jettison him at this time, he is the best player on the offensive line as Albert cannot be trusted.

I am not a big Juwan James fan tho, he is serviceable but the ceiling is low and he is probably a scheme fit only. Was the definition of a "need" pick and drafting those top 20 will get you in trouble longterm.

 

[AL R]

If you look around the NFL seems like there are several teams that have struggling O-Lines but when you get to depth players. Wow seems like a major drop off (except Pats). Maybe there just isn't enough quality and we have to live with some of these guys for at least depth. We have spent the resources just can't get it right on the starters.

Still think the top picks this year need to be defensive.

 

[FSU Truth]

If you look around the NFL seems like there are several teams that have struggling O-Lines but when you get to depth players. Wow seems like a major drop off (except Pats). Maybe there just isn't enough quality and we have to live with some of these guys for at least depth. We have spent the resources just can't get it right on the starters.

Still think the top picks this year need to be defensive.

First three picks...

I still think you can get Brooks from Houston and find a decent swing tackle and be good.