Pouncey may return to center but not anytime soon

[Daytona Fin]

Pouncey has been solid since coming back from a hip injury he had surgically repaired in late June. But even he'll admit he hasn't been dominant in the five games he's played.

"I feel like I'm doing good, but I've got to get better. Each week I get better and better," said Pouncey, a former University of Florida standout the Dolphins selected with the 15th pick in the 2011 NFL draft, making him the earliest drafted center in NFL history. "It's still a transition for me because I had no offseason or training camp, and because of the position switch, so it is still a learning process for me."

That educational process included a couple lessons taught by Detroit's Ndamukong Suh, who wrecked the game in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Dolphins.

This Thursday night Pouncey will face an even tougher challenge because there is not just one, but two Pro Bowlers Pouncey and company must stop when Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus line up against Miami's rebuilt offensive line, which lost left tackle Branden Albert to a season-ending knee injury last Sunday.

That pair has accounted for 12.5 of Buffalo's 34 sacks, and are the pillars of granite on Buffalo's forceful defensive line, which is limited opponents to 3.7 rushing yards per carry.

The Dolphins struggled against the Bills earlier this season, but that game didn't feature Pouncey, who is viewed as Miami's emotional leaders, and one of the team's toughest players.

"I think you have an added leadership, added poise and added toughness. There's a real presence added to the group when Mike is in there," offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said. "I don't think you can say enough about how positive that is for us."

"It's like having two centers on the field," Satele said. "[Pouncey's] an extra set of eyes."

Pouncey hasn't given up on playing center. He's merely put that part of his career on pause to "do what's best for the team."

"I'm going back to center," Pouncey said this week. "It probably won't be this year, but right now I'm focused on guard and being the best guard I can be this year. We'll figure it out after the season."

Pouncey has plenty at stake financially. The Dolphins committed to paying him a little over $7.4 million next season, opting into his 5th year option as a first-round pick.

Miami could also sign Pouncey to a multiyear extension to lower the salary cap burden, but that would require a substantial financial commitment in the neighborhood of the five-year, $44 million contract extension his twin brother, Maurkice Pouncey, signed last offseason with the Steelers.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-dolphins-1112-20141111-story.html

 

[Hayden Fox]

He needs to play Center.

 

[datruth55]

He needs to play Center.

He needs to play better.

 

[So Be]

Sorry but I have yet to see solid.

 

[Joneal7]

needs to go back to center if and when billy turner is ready to roll at RG

 

[Slim]

The guard experiment has been a complete failure. Sign a guard, draft another and stick him back at C in the off season.

 

[MarSly]

We have JuWann James and Pouncy as pretty much locks next year. Satele deserves another year and possibly Colledge. Albert could be gone with that knee so we may only need a right tackle next draft.