What We Should Do - Guard Situation

[miamirw]

To me I don't even think the money is an issue. You spent all this money this off season. If RT ends up on his back all of the money we spent was a waste anyway. To me, you have to shore up one of the guard spots and leave the development games and tricks for the right guard spot. Why don't we give EM a one year deal - eight million dollars or a two year 10 million deal that's front loaded so he won't be an issue next year. Then I'm good with opening up the competition at the RG spot. I even like the idea of throwing Fox into the mix. I feel much more comfortable going into the season with four guys fighting for one spot - the RG - I think the chances of finding an adequate solution at the RG spot are strong maybe 90 percent. The situation we have now - three guys for two spots is a joke and probably 20 percent chance that two of those three guys turn into to average guards. I'm sorry but I just don't see the logic of going with our guys to develop them. I hope it's not Joe being stubborn like he was the last two years believing he could make it work with journeymen softies/finess guys (read: college and that right tackle from atlanta, can't recall his name right now). Remember what Joe told us at the time. We have rookies we want to develop (dallas thomas). He said relax. It's early guys. Trust me. I'm a former oline coach. I can coach them up - well how'd that end up working out?

One last point on this subject: Don't we need depth as well? So if we sign Mathis and have one of four guys compete for the remaining RG spot, the three runner ups are now our depth!!!

What is wrong with having depth on the offensive line???? If you protect RT he will have a tremendous year. That should be THE priority.

 

[nick1]

I think Tannehill can have a great year with the guards we have. Doesn't Luck have a horrible oline? He gets his team deep in the playoffs. Early last year we got by with guards that weren't ideal. Until Albert went down then it all went. Albert might be the key to our seasin

 

[TheJetsBlow]

Just. Sign Mathis.

 

[oasis]

Mathis wants to get paid. We want guys that want to win.

You can't just plug the former into a bunch of the latter and expect it all to work out hunky-dorey. Undermines the culture you're trying to build.

 

[finbully]

Signing Mathis this soon would also takeaway from the valuable reps these younger guys need to excel. We know what we get with Mathis, if signed. Right now, these reps are precious for building our young roster.

 

[AEGBRG]

Mathis wants to get paid. We want guys that want to win.

You can't just plug the former into a bunch of the latter and expect it all to work out hunky-dorey. Undermines the culture you're trying to build.

What player does not want to get paid? Who said he doesn't want to win? Screw this whole culture BS. If there is a great guard available in FA (Mathis), you get him. I am tired of seeing Tannehill get killed every season.

 

[DuderinoN703]

Signing Mathis this soon would also takeaway from the valuable reps these younger guys need to excel. We know what we get with Mathis, if signed. Right now, these reps are precious for building our young roster.

If Mathis is better you sign him now. Miami doesn't have time to wait for the younger guys to get their **** together.

 

[tazthenomad]

What player does not want to get paid? Who said he doesn't want to win? Screw this whole culture BS. If there is a great guard available in FA (Mathis), you get him. I am tired of seeing Tannehill get killed every season.

I'm tired of seeing RT pressured, too. Having said that I don't think it's as simple as "just sign him" and everything is fixed. Just because we want him for a big one year deal doesn't mean thats what he will accept. If we use all our resources on Mathis what happens if he or another key Oline person gets injured

I think the Mathis or we're screwed mentality will kill us. If we get him at reasonable terms that's great. I think it's too early to say that Mathis is the only solution. Any other time all our GMs in training would have other ideas to consider. Don't you think our GMs are working out a plan b, c, and d too?

 

[oasis]

What player does not want to get paid? Who said he doesn't want to win? Screw this whole culture BS. If there is a great guard available in FA (Mathis), you get him. I am tired of seeing Tannehill get killed every season.

Every player wants to get paid. Obviously that's the motivation for 99.9% of these guys. But beyond that, there are guys that want to win/achieve something greater and that can put their team first, despite having the personal goal of monetary gain. If you've not noticed, our roster has been dramatically shifted to these types of players. Like it or not, that's the character emphasis being placed on our acquisitions, be it a preference of Philbin or someone else.

So knowing that, understand that Mathis doesn't check off all the boxes, is the perfect solution, and it's just a matter of money. No. He doesn't necessarily fit perfectly either, AND he costs a ton. If you look at it that way it's easy to see why the FO has been taking it slow in this situation. I'd be surprised if they aren't exploring trades as well.

 

[finbully]

If Mathis is better you sign him now. Miami doesn't have time to wait for the younger guys to get their **** together.

Taz's post is on point. It's not this simple. These reps in camp, right now, are vital for development. Mathis is an option, but it has to work for us in a variety of ways.

 

[NYNCDOLFAN]

Can't believe some of you let alone coaching staff can be so blind. Dallas Thomas sucks. He doesn't remotely have the skill to play in the NFL. This is why it's been 41 years since we won a super bowl. Stop worrying about reps and salary cap just sign the pro bowl player. That's what teams that consistently win do. Do you think if Seattle Pittsburgh NE needed a G Mathis would still be available. Enough sign him. If other guys work out he like anyone else can always be cut.

 

[gdiaz0358]

A few years back we had Mathis on this team, and cut him because he wasn't good enough or got beat out by better players. What does that tell you? We gave up too soon, so instead of repeating that again with either Thomas, Douglas, Turner or any of the other guys fighting for those spots, lets give these guys a shot in preseason. It is always a trend that the defense (specifically the d-line) dominates early in training camp.
So lets wait until preseason game 2 (or the joint practices against the Panthers at least) to see how these kids hold up. We have them all for cheap and can use that $10M or what ever we have towards next off season (where we are strapped for cap space) to resign OV, Miller or bring in more talent.
I do feel like you need to allow these kids to develop and learn the play book. Don't you think facing off against our D-line every day in practice will make them better? It definitely cant hurt!!

 

[FinJay614]

Our guards stink. But it is reasonable to consider that since the line was passable (no pun intended) when Albert played last season, then they're at least sufficient a year later with Pouncey in his correct spot. If they look horrible right now, it may be because the D-Line is dominant and most O-Lines would struggle, especially early in training camp. I don't expect us to make any moves until we see how they perform in the first preseason game against someone else's defense.

 

[finbully]

Do you think if Seattle Pittsburgh NE needed a G Mathis would still be available.

The Patriots traded away Mankins for cap reasons. The Seahawks traded away Unger, depleting an already suspect line, this past offseason. You can't pay to have probowl players at every position. These championship teams you note are perfect examples. Try harder.

 

[pafinfanrob]

With the way the Guard play is getting literally Blitzed by the Blitz, we need to get Mathis in camp immediately. He is there for us to get, just make it happen already. I know our guards are ok, but like someone said before, we bring him in and then we have three others for depth. That IS NOT a bad thing and we get a pro bowl guard in the process. I absolutely love what we've done with the team this year just need to make sure that Tannehill is properly protected from all areas as he is constantly being critiqued. Let see what he can do with a very , very solid line.