2015 Dolphins: Fire the Lazor!

[sodenj5]

 
This is the 3rd straight make or break year for Philbin, isn't it?
 
Better coaching would have gotten that team into the playoffs last year, I'm convinced of it.

 
Quite possibly. They lost a few close games in the 4th quarter last year and collapsed on the doorstep of the playoffs for two straight years. I'm not sure who would be a candidate to replace him this season. I don't recall any coaching names, apart from Harbaugh who immediately went to MIchigan, that I thought would be a clear upgrade over Philbin. I think they kept the band together this year and Tannenbaum will be given carte blanche to do with the front office as he pleases if they fail to make the postseason this year.
 
I actually really like BIll Lazor and if he was tabbed as the successor to Philbin, I don't think I would lose any sleep. He's pretty highly regarded and he did an excellent job at adapting his offense and tailoring it to Tannehill's strengths throughout the season. Someone will eventually hire him as a head coach.

 

[Ed Hillel]

 
Quite possibly. They lost a few close games in the 4th quarter last year and collapsed on the doorstep of the playoffs for two straight years. I'm not sure who would be a candidate to replace him this season. I don't recall any coaching names, apart from Harbaugh who immediately went to MIchigan, that I thought would be a clear upgrade over Philbin. I think they kept the band together this year and Tannenbaum will be given carte blanche to do with the front office as he pleases if they fail to make the postseason this year.
 
I actually really like BIll Lazor and if he was tabbed as the successor to Philbin, I don't think I would lose any sleep. He's pretty highly regarded and he did an excellent job at adapting his offense and tailoring it to Tannehill's strengths throughout the season. Someone will eventually hire him as a head coach.

 
I think Fox is at least competent, which would have been a marked upgrade over Philbin. I wonder if Miami is a place that could have pulled Gruden out of retirement, as well. I'm on board with Dev, because I personally think the Dolphins team is just absolutely stacked. They may well compete with the Patriots this season with Philbin coaching, and I wouldn't want to face them with an upgrade at the most important "position" outside of QB.

 

[pdaj]

I think Miami's roster will look a lot more attractive heading into 2016's off-season than it did this off-season. If Miami doesn't have  winning season this year, he's gone. Book it.

 

[sodenj5]

I think Miami's roster will look a lot more attractive heading into 2016's off-season than it did this off-season. If Miami doesn't have  winning season this year, he's gone. Book it.

On talent alone, this is a playoff roster. No question. There are still some holes and question marks, but no doubt this team has the pieces in place to make it to the postseason.

 

[Rice14]

On talent alone, this is a playoff roster. No question. There are still some holes and question marks, but no doubt this team has the pieces in place to make it to the postseason.

Yeah, on paper they look good, have to see how they play on the field. Hope it doesn't work out like the other Miami team down here, the Hurricanes had 7 players drafted, five in first three rounds, and it added up to a 6-7 season.

 

[sodenj5]

Suh expected to be in the building for OTA's. People are way too facinated by his offseason routine. The dude is one of the best in the world at what he does. If he wants to work out with his trainers and that's what will have him in peak condition for the season, then that's fine. He isn't skipping anything that's mandatory.
 
"For 114 million, he should be a leader, pushing everyone to be their best, etc. etc." Who cares. Suh is what he is. He's going to make sure he's handling his business first and foremost. If he's blowing up running plays and pummeling lineman in September, no one will remember whether or not he was at an OTA in May.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Parker is lighting everyone up in first OTA. killing Grimes and Taylor.

 

[sodenj5]

Parker is lighting everyone up in first OTA. killing Grimes and Taylor.

 
I'm still trying not to get too pumped on Parker until he does it in pads when the bullets are "live, so to speak, but it's hard to stay grounded when everyone is gushing about him beasting so early. He brings an element Miami has not had in a long time.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

I wonder if Stills is getting open deep....lolol

 

[sodenj5]

DeVante Parker had surgery on his foot today.

https://twitter.com/abramsonpbp/status/606844091557675008

It seems like this was done as a proactive step the should ensure Parker is healthy over the long term. He'll likely be inactive until the preseason starts.

While its kid of a bummer, much better to handle this now than risk re-injury and additional surgeries or lost time.

 

[OCST]

Dolphins kicker Caleb Sturgis to miss remainder of June workouts after injuring quad in. . . . .   
 
kickball game for the team, organized by someone in leadership.
 
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2015/06/team-organized-kickball-event-shelves-sturgis-dolphins-canes-marlins-chatter-wadedragic-talk.html
 
Keep choppin' wood. . .

 

[sodenj5]

Dolphins kicker Caleb Sturgis to miss remainder of June workouts after injuring quad in. . . . .   
 
kickball game for the team, organized by someone in leadership.
 
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2015/06/team-organized-kickball-event-shelves-sturgis-dolphins-canes-marlins-chatter-wadedragic-talk.html
 
Keep choppin' wood. . .

 
In all seriousness, these guys play football for a living. I think it says 1000x more about Caleb Sturgis, who has battled injuries and inconsistency his entire career thus far, than it does about the organization.

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

Dolphins DT A.J. Francis moonlights as an Uber driver.
 
To be fair, $40-50/hr ain't so bad by normal-people standards.

 

[pdaj]

Dolphins have deep depth at D-line. 
 

Dolphins signed DT C.J. Mosley to a one-year contract.
It's a solid depth signing for Miami. Mosley graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 26 defensive tackle last season, receiving positive marks both against the run and pass. He's good friends with Ndamukong Suh and should slot in as the Dolphins' No. 3 defensive tackle behind Suh and fellow starter Earl Mitchell. Jun 10 - 1:33 PM
 

 

[sodenj5]

Dolphins have deep depth at D-line. 
 

Their rotation at DT is impressive. Suh and Mitchell followed by Mosley and Phillips. Should help keep guy a little fresher without a significant dropoff.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

I think the Moseley signing was a reflection of the drop off being seen in Mitchell's play.
 
Evan Mathis anyone? He's a dominant (like best in class) run blocker and a decent pass blocker. Fish have $10M in cap space and Mathis is 34 and wants more guaranteed than the $5.5M due to him this year.
 
Parker                Landry      Albert Mathis Pouncey Turner James Cameron                                     Stills
                                                                 Tannehill
 
 
                                                                   Lamar

 

[sodenj5]

I like Mathis, but I feel like some other team will pony up more dollars for him than Miami can stomach. I think part of Miami's game plan is to carry over some of that cap into next year.

Next offseason they face some big decisions. Do they still keep Grimes and Wake? Are Grimes and Wake still worth their salary? Can they resign Olivier Vernon or Lamar Miller if either has a big breakout year? This roster may look significantly different this time next year.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

I think its safe to assume Wake will be gone. Vernon needs to do a better job against the run/setting the edge to get a big contract from Miami. no clue on Grimes, his game dropped off last year and they have four youngsters looking to play. But DE and CB will be key areas in the draft next year.
 
Miller? Theya re not going to pay up for him

 

[sodenj5]

Miami announced they'll be running a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers before Week 2 of the preseason.

Unless something changes between now and then, Miami D Lineman will have a chance to tee off on Jonathan Martin.

 

[sodenj5]

http://news.nike.com/news/dolphins-to-wear-throwback-uniform-on-monday-night-football

Fins throwbacks revealed. They look sick IMO.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

http://news.nike.com/news/dolphins-to-wear-throwback-uniform-on-monday-night-football

Fins throwbacks revealed. They look sick IMO.

Roughly 600x better then their current uniforms. Although the truncated stripes on the sleeves are just poorly done.

 

[jsinger121]

They should definitely abandon the current look and go back to these ones. They are a massive improvement on what they have now,

 

[sodenj5]

The throwbacks are very nicely done. I agree about the stripes, but the 49ers have a similar issue. The sleveless jerseys don't leave much room for sleeve striping. Most players aren't rocking the Hanes Beefy T cut anymore.
 
Also, hopefully this becomes an annual thing. The throwbacks are in honor of the 50th anniversary of the team. They wore throwbacks one time against the Cowboys years ago that everyone largely loved. I would love to see these broken out once a year. I was always a little envious of the red Pats throwbacks they wore for a few years while Miami broke out the orange eye bleeders. Will definitely be purchasing one.

 

[dwainw]

Uniforms?  UNIFORMS?  That's all you people can talk about on the first day of camp, when talk of Super Bowls is bandied about as liberally as waves of indignation over the indiscretions of Ndamukong Suh.  OK, I kid.  I agree about the throwback jerseys, but probably mostly because I'm old, I long for 80's Dolphins football, and I want people off my lawn.  (Actually, I'm OK with the new unis, too.  So I guess you're allowed on my lawn.  But ONLY to get your ball back.)

I'll admit, this team is intriguing to me.  There's no denying they made strides this offseason, and what's not to love about the steady progress and strong projections for Tanny?  The O-Line has to be the biggest concern, followed closely by the situation opposite Grimes.  They seem to be coy about the possibility of signing Evan Mathis, but if they are in GFIN mode as Ross sure seems to suggest, why not?   

Just when I thought I was OUT.....

 

[sodenj5]

This team seems to have a different air about them right now. They aren't dodging questions about the playoffs. They're embracing it. Saying they expect to make the playoffs. Philbin talking about how there are three championships to go out and win (AFC East, AFC, and NFL). Ross giving a speech and outlining exactly what he expects on Day One.

It definitely feels different than the past few years. There's a confidence about the team, dare I say, even a swagger about them. They sound like they not only want to win, but expect to win.

The division will be tough, but I think Tannehill gives Miami the edge over either the Jets or the Bills.

 

[kenneycb]

Is that because Philbin believes it or because he is on the hot seat? Fourth year and not much to show for it at this point so he doesn't lose anything by having that outward mentality.

 

[sodenj5]

Is that because Philbin believes it or because he is on the hot seat? Fourth year and not much to show for it at this point so he doesn't lose anything by having that outward mentality.

I think one thing that Philbin has shown is a steady hand and he doesn't just say things for public appearance. My guess is he and the team truly believe they can get over the hump this year.

 

[pdaj]

Love the energy/attitude coming from the Dolphins' camp right now, but if the offensive line isn't at least average by the start of the season, consider us fucked. It could derail everything.

• Nothing from Albert's interviews leaves me confident that he'll be ready to start the season. He's left more than a few hints to reporters that Week 1 is highly questionable. Additionally, prior to this latest injury, BA hasn't been the healthiest of players. Once he returns, will he stay on the field?
• Current starting guard competition: Billy Turner (2nd year player), Jamil Thomas (rookie), Dallas Thomas (sucks), Jeff Linkenbach (eh)
• Mathis would be a perfect fit for this team, but due to Miami's future financial obligations, the FO is understandably cautious about handing out any more loot. 
• Will another - cheaper? - veteran become available? If Mathis isn't viable, I think we fans better hope so.

As always, I'm cautiously optimistic, but the offensive line, as currently constructed, is a major question mark right now. I understand why Tannenbaum/Philbin are remaining coy at the moment; but there's no doubt in their mind they have the same fears.

 

[dwainw]

Love the energy/attitude coming from the Dolphins' camp right now, but if the offensive line isn't at least average by the start of the season, consider us fucked. It could derail everything.

• Nothing from Albert's interviews leaves me confident that he'll be ready to start the season. He's left more than a few hints to reporters that Week 1 is highly questionable. Additionally, prior to this latest injury, BA hasn't been the healthiest of players. Once he returns, will he stay on the field?
• Current starting guard competition: Billy Turner (2nd year player), Jamil Thomas (rookie), Dallas Thomas (sucks), Jeff Linkenbach (eh)
• Mathis would be a perfect fit for this team, but due to Miami's future financial obligations, the FO is understandably cautious about handing out any more loot. 
• Will another - cheaper? - veteran become available? If Mathis isn't viable, I think we fans better hope so.

As always, I'm cautiously optimistic, but the offensive line, as currently constructed, is a major question mark right now. I understand why Tannenbaum/Philbin are remaining coy at the moment; but there's no doubt in their mind they have the same fears.

I guess that was the main point I was trying to make in my previous meandering post.   As much as Ross is making it publicly clear to the coaching staff that a playoff run is expected this year, and as much as he's invested in revamping things this season, he's clearly under his own increasing pressure for the team to produce.  As you say, that line, charged with protecting their newly anointed franchise QB, is the biggest question mark.   Why not take a shot with Mathis?  If this team fails this season, either way they're going to blow things up next year.

 

[pdaj]

I guess that was the main point I was trying to make in my previous meandering post.   As much as Ross is making it publicly clear to the coaching staff that a playoff run is expected this year, and as much as he's invested in revamping things this season, he's clearly under his own increasing pressure for the team to produce.  As you say, that line, charged with protecting their newly anointed franchise QB, is the biggest question mark.   Why not take a shot with Mathis?  If this team fails this season, either way they're going to blow things up next year.

 
I think the Fins are trying to roll over some $$ for next year (they're under the cap), in order to keep things relatively intact the next couple of seasons. I get it. But with all the money spent this off-season to get this team over the hump ... are they going to let the offensive line unit let it all go to waste?
 
I don't think so. It might not be Mathis, but they'll add another vet if they have to. 

 

[sodenj5]

 
I think the Fins are trying to roll over some $$ for next year (they're under the cap), in order to keep things relatively intact the next couple of seasons. I get it. But with all the money spent this off-season to get this team over the hump ... are they going to let the offensive line unit let it all go to waste?
 
I don't think so. It might not be Mathis, but they'll add another vet if they have to. 

Yea I think they have one eye on Mathis still. Apparently the Jets inquired and the price was prohibitive. I've heard promising things about Douglas. Turner has been struggling but he's also facing Suh on a regular basis. It seems like Thomas has already been passed on the depth chart.

The one consistent thing coming out of camp so far is Jarvis Landry is lighting it up. Great to hear. Can't wait to see him and Parker on the field together.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

I look forward to a third and long and Wake, Suh, McCain and Vernon lining up with their ears back.
 
The team HAS to fix the o-line, especially in this division. Tannehill will get killed. Or worse, he'll get happy feet and get rid of the ball too quick, etc etc. Maybe they can trade from surplus on the d-line and free up some cap space. it's not about having the money this year, its what happens to their cap next year when Suh $$ go up, Tannehill goes up, etc

 

[sodenj5]

I look forward to a third and long and Wake, Suh, McCain and Vernon lining up with their ears back.
 
The team HAS to fix the o-line, especially in this division. Tannehill will get killed. Or worse, he'll get happy feet and get rid of the ball too quick, etc etc. Maybe they can trade from surplus on the d-line and free up some cap space. it's not about having the money this year, its what happens to their cap next year when Suh $$ go up, Tannehill goes up, etc

 
The Fins early schedule has the Bills at home and the Jets in London in Weeks 3 and 4. In all seriousness, I would strongly consider keeping Albert out until Week 3. Give him as much time as possible until he's really needed. Fox can handle the LT duties against the Redskins and Jags. Its possible, even likely, that he won't be ready for Week 1 anyways, but that would be my plan internally if I was the Miami FO.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Every reporter covering practice today said the o-line was getting DESTROYED by the d-line. They are even talking about moving Fox inside to guard.
 
"Evan Mathis...its Mike Tannenbaum on line 1"
 
Fix it

 

[Silverdude2167]

Every reporter covering practice today said the o-line was getting DESTROYED by the d-line. They are even talking about moving Fox inside to guard.
 
"Evan Mathis...its Mike Tannenbaum on line 1"
 
Fix it

Well with the current D-Line, shouldn't the O-Line be getting destroyed. Even if they were an average line?

 

[pdaj]

 
The Fins early schedule has the Bills at home and the Jets in London in Weeks 3 and 4. In all seriousness, I would strongly consider keeping Albert out until Week 3. Give him as much time as possible until he's really needed. Fox can handle the LT duties against the Redskins and Jags. Its possible, even likely, that he won't be ready for Week 1 anyways, but that would be my plan internally if I was the Miami FO.

 
I agree with keeping him out as a precaution, but the Jags D-line is no joke. 

 

[sodenj5]

 
I agree with keeping him out as a precaution, but the Jags D-line is no joke. 

Right, but most of the team is, in general. It might be ugly, but they should be able to beat Jacksonville without Albert. The big guns show up starting in Week 3. If he's even questionable, he should be sitting.

I would agree that the defense SHOULD be feasting on the offensive line. I would be a lot more concerned if Billy Turner was stonewalling Suh than the current situation. It's difficult to judge how well they're doing when they're facing one of the most disruptive forces in the league.

I would say the guards are going to get a long look in the first preseason game and Miami doesn't pull the trigger on Mathis or anyone else until then.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Dallas Thomas hurt his shoulder.

I don't understand how a team can have a shitty offensive line every year. Fix it. Sign Mathis. Trade the surplus of d linemen.

It sounds like Tannehill has stepped up and is playing better. It's what you'd hope would happen.

And now Omar speculating that Fox might be moved to guard when Albert is ready. Basically means they need to find a backup tackle, turner is not the was the answer

 

[mcaqua]

The kicking game is going to be a major issue this season, unless they get lucky.  Sturgis was dogshit last year and has never impressed since Ireland burned a 5th-rounder on him in '13.
 

Last season, Sturgis made 78.4 percent of his field goal attempts — 28th of 31 in the league.  He made just 9-of-16 attempts from more than 40 yards.

 
The FA kicker list doesn't exactly inspire much confidence that this gets fixed in an acceptable manner, so I look for it to cost them at least a game this upcoming season.  The rule changes are only going to exacerbate the situation.  Feels like the organization was whistling past the graveyard on this front all off-season.
 
EDIT: Added link
http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2015/07/31/top-kickers-available-if-dolphins-replace-caleb-sturgis/

 

[Shelterdog]

Dallas Thomas hurt his shoulder.

I don't understand how a team can have a shitty offensive line every year. Fix it. Sign Mathis. Trade the surplus of d linemen.

It sounds like Tannehill has stepped up and is playing better. It's what you'd hope would happen.

And now Omar speculating that Fox might be moved to guard when Albert is ready. Basically means they need to find a backup tackle, turner is not the was the answer

 
I've heard it said that you have to be building your offensive line about two years in advance because it takes that long for the unit to gel.  Teams with consistently decent lines--in my mind the Pats, the Packers, the Ravens, the 49ers and Bengals have had good runs lately, the Giants were pretty good for years--tend to draft linemen fairly high, keep players together for years, tend to not have too many first or second year players playing at the same time,  and tend to "overpay" guys who fans think are pedestrian.  The Dolphins have the drafting guys high bit down, but that's about it: they seem to think that you build a line by finding two or three replacement-level guys to match with two or three high cost talents and if line sucks you get new replacement guys the next season. 

 

[sodenj5]

 
I've heard it said that you have to be building your offensive line about two years in advance because it takes that long for the unit to gel.  Teams with consistently decent lines--in my mind the Pats, the Packers, the Ravens, the 49ers and Bengals have had good runs lately, the Giants were pretty good for years--tend to draft linemen fairly high, keep players together for years, tend to not have too many first or second year players playing at the same time,  and tend to "overpay" guys who fans think are pedestrian.  The Dolphins have the drafting guys high bit down, but that's about it: they seem to think that you build a line by finding two or three replacement-level guys to match with two or three high cost talents and if line sucks you get new replacement guys the next season. 

 
They've definitely moved pieces in and out of the lineup quite a bit, but some of that is due to injury. Jake Long was a pillar of the offensive line his first three season before basically falling apart. Branden Albert was playing maybe the best football of his career until having his knee blown out last year. Pouncey is a Pro Bowl center when fully healthy but was recovering from hip surgery and played out of position to try and mask the deficiencies along the line. Incognito was a Pro Bowl guard in Miami before...
 
I guess my point is, I don't think Miami just drafts one or two first rounders and crams some replacement level filler in there to plug the gaps. I think there have been a number of events in the last few years that have caused them to shuffle and reconfigure the line on a nearly annual basis. I also think you can't just keep burning first rounders on offensive lineman. At a certain point, Miami needs to be able to develop a third or fourth round pick like Dallas Thomas or Billy Turner or Jamil Douglas into a starting caliber player. I actually think THAT is their biggest shortfall.
 
Billy Turner is being eaten alive by Suh, but who knows. He may hold his own in their first preseason game. He may be making tangible progress, but it's hard to tell when Suh is obliterating him every play. The coaching staff has been rotating the guards in and out on the first and second team. I think that's not just to look at other players with the first team offense, but to give guys like Turner a crack at the second team defense (which is still really good) and maybe not get blown up for a couple of plays.

 

[Shelterdog]

 
They've definitely moved pieces in and out of the lineup quite a bit, but some of that is due to injury. Jake Long was a pillar of the offensive line his first three season before basically falling apart. Branden Albert was playing maybe the best football of his career until having his knee blown out last year. Pouncey is a Pro Bowl center when fully healthy but was recovering from hip surgery and played out of position to try and mask the deficiencies along the line. Incognito was a Pro Bowl guard in Miami before...
 
I guess my point is, I don't think Miami just drafts one or two first rounders and crams some replacement level filler in there to plug the gaps. I think there have been a number of events in the last few years that have caused them to shuffle and reconfigure the line on a nearly annual basis. I also think you can't just keep burning first rounders on offensive lineman. At a certain point, Miami needs to be able to develop a third or fourth round pick like Dallas Thomas or Billy Turner or Jamil Douglas into a starting caliber player. I actually think THAT is their biggest shortfall.
 
Billy Turner is being eaten alive by Suh, but who knows. He may hold his own in their first preseason game. He may be making tangible progress, but it's hard to tell when Suh is obliterating him every play. The coaching staff has been rotating the guards in and out on the first and second team. I think that's not just to look at other players with the first team offense, but to give guys like Turner a crack at the second team defense (which is still really good) and maybe not get blown up for a couple of plays.

 
Injuries, Incognito and Marin obviously have hurt the line. 
 
I do think the Dolphins have gone with short term fill-in veteran free agents more than teams that have had pretty good lines tend to--I'm thinking Colombo/Clabo/Colledge/Satele.  I think you'll notice that a team like the Packers is generally filling holes in the roster with players who have been on the team for a few years
 
They clearly blew up the entire line after the Martin affair and that's hard to bounce back from--you just can't ditch three starters (even if Martin was terrible and Jerry and RI aren't that special) and expect to play at a high level.
 
I think we fundamentally agree though.  The better lines find a way to develop talent (be they draft picks, UDFAs, waiver acquisitions or young guys off the scrap heap) so that when Plan A doesn't work out or when somebody leaves in free agency you can have a Dan Connolly or TJ Lang to step in rather than bring in an older vet on a one-year deal. 
 
2009
Long-Smiley-Grove-Thomas-Carey
2010
Long-Incognito (1st year)-Berger-Jerry (R)-Carey
2011
Long-Incognito-Pouncey (R)-Carey-Colmbo (in his first year)--Jerry sent to the bench.
2012
Long-Incognito-Pouncey-Jerry-Martin (R)
2013
Martin-Incognito-Pouncey-Jerry-Clabo (1st year)
2014
Albert (1st year)-Colledge (1st year)-Satele (1st year)-Pouncey-James (R)
2015
Albert-Douglas(R)-Pouncey-Billy Turner-James

 

[sodenj5]

 
Injuries, Incognito and Marin obviously have hurt the line. 
 
I do think the Dolphins have gone with short term fill-in veteran free agents more than teams that have had pretty good lines tend to--I'm thinking Colombo/Clabo/Colledge/Satele.  I think you'll notice that a team like the Packers is generally filling holes in the roster with players who have been on the team for a few years
 
They clearly blew up the entire line after the Martin affair and that's hard to bounce back from--you just can't ditch three starters (even if Martin was terrible and Jerry and RI aren't that special) and expect to play at a high level.
 
I think we fundamentally agree though.  The better lines find a way to develop talent (be they draft picks, UDFAs, waiver acquisitions or young guys off the scrap heap) so that when Plan A doesn't work out or when somebody leaves in free agency you can have a Dan Connolly or TJ Lang to step in rather than bring in an older vet on a one-year deal. 
 
2009
Long-Smiley-Grove-Thomas-Carey
2010
Long-Incognito (1st year)-Berger-Jerry (R)-Carey
2011
Long-Incognito-Pouncey (R)-Carey-Colmbo (in his first year)--Jerry sent to the bench.
2012
Long-Incognito-Pouncey-Jerry-Martin (R)
2013
Martin-Incognito-Pouncey-Jerry-Clabo (1st year)
2014
Albert (1st year)-Colledge (1st year)-Satele (1st year)-Pouncey-James (R)
2015
Albert-Douglas(R)-Pouncey-Billy Turner-James

 
I would largely agree. I think of Stork stepping in and playing fairly well for the Patriots as a classic example of what Miami has struggled to do. It's easier to break in one young player when the other 4 have some level of continutiy between them. Pouncey is really the only constant the last several years. Even this year, Albert is a relative unknown. He may not be ready in time for the season and he may not be capable of playing at a high level right away.
 
When you're continuously turning over the personnel and having guys play all over the line, it's dificult for sustained success. I give the FO credit though, they've certainly spent the resources to try and make the offensive line good. Clabo was a huge liability in 2013 and they immediately drafted James to solve the problem. Like I said, I think their biggest flaw is not being able to take a third or fourth round talent and make a decent starter out of them at guard. Guys like Long, James, and Pouncey are first rounders and SHOULD be good players out of the box.

 

[Super Nomario]

I do think the Dolphins have gone with short term fill-in veteran free agents more than teams that have had pretty good lines tend to--I'm thinking Colombo/Clabo/Colledge/Satele.  I think you'll notice that a team like the Packers is generally filling holes in the roster with players who have been on the team for a few years

The Packers famously almost never sign FAs, regardless of whether they have holes or not. They have a pretty good OL now, but it's been terrible some years (like after whiffing on the Sherrod / Bulaga picks) and they never change their approach.
 

I think we fundamentally agree though.  The better lines find a way to develop talent (be they draft picks, UDFAs, waiver acquisitions or young guys off the scrap heap) so that when Plan A doesn't work out or when somebody leaves in free agency you can have a Dan Connolly or TJ Lang to step in rather than bring in an older vet on a one-year deal. 

Sometimes those guys don't work out, though, and you have to go outside the organization (unless you're Green Bay). The Ravens tried to groom Gino Gradkowski behind Matt Birk and plug him in when Birk retired, but Gradkowski was a disaster and they had to trade for Jeremy Zuttah. They also traded for Eugene Monroe, in part because Michael Oher never developed. The Pats were basically all home-grown last year, but probably the best OL they've had in the past few years was the one where they plugged in Brian Waters - the epitome of an older vet on a one-year deal. A lot of the questionable decisions teams make with respect to the OLs are more effect than cause - you blow a second-round pick on Jonathan Martin, and you're going to have to find someone else to play tackle.

 

[Shelterdog]

The Packers famously almost never sign FAs, regardless of whether they have holes or not. They have a pretty good OL now, but it's been terrible some years (like after whiffing on the Sherrod / Bulaga picks) and they never change their approach.
 
Sometimes those guys don't work out, though, and you have to go outside the organization (unless you're Green Bay). The Ravens tried to groom Gino Gradkowski behind Matt Birk and plug him in when Birk retired, but Gradkowski was a disaster and they had to trade for Jeremy Zuttah. They also traded for Eugene Monroe, in part because Michael Oher never developed. The Pats were basically all home-grown last year, but probably the best OL they've had in the past few years was the one where they plugged in Brian Waters - the epitome of an older vet on a one-year deal. A lot of the questionable decisions teams make with respect to the OLs are more effect than cause - you blow a second-round pick on Jonathan Martin, and you're going to have to find someone else to play tackle.

 
I essentially agree (Waters is a bit of a fluke because he was a one and done veteran but he was also still an outstanding player). The teams with better run lines tend to not turn over too many spots at once, they tend to not have too many young guys playing, and they tend to somehow identify reasonably good young guys (through the draft, waiver wires or otherwise) and then groom them to fill holes rather than pick up random plug-in veterans, but it's certainly not always the case

 

[Super Nomario]

 
I essentially agree (Waters is a bit of a fluke because he was a one and done veteran but he was also still an outstanding player). The teams with better run lines tend to not turn over too many spots at once, they tend to not have too many young guys playing, and they tend to somehow identify reasonably good young guys (through the draft, waiver wires or otherwise) and then groom them to fill holes rather than pick up random plug-in veterans, but it's certainly not always the case

Sure, and I guess my point is that for some of those elements, the causation arrow might run in the opposite direction (or even in both directions). Generally if you have a good OL you don't have to turn over too many spots, and generally if you have a bad OL you're going to want to turn over a bunch of spots (or draft a bunch of young guys, etc.)

 

[soxfan121]

@cianaf has been posting - and commenting - on Tannehill GIFs all day long on twitter. I think you Dolphin fans will enjoy the analysis.

 

[sodenj5]

@cianaf has been posting - and commenting - on Tannehill GIFs all day long on twitter. I think you Dolphin fans will enjoy the analysis.

 
Looking through his timeline, several things stood out pretty quickly:
 

• Dallas Thomas needs to never play LT again
• Wallace left several big plays on the field
• There's a lot to like about Tannehill now and moving forward.

 
There's been some buzz that Tannehill's been hitting the deep ball better and with more consistency this camp than at any other point. If he can add that element to his game, and the O-Line can keep him upright, watch out. 

 

[Clears Cleaver]

first play of the scrimmage, Suh shot the gap and took Lamar miller down for a 10 yard loss. Third play he he knocked Damien williams for a loop

 

[sodenj5]

first play of the scrimmage, Suh shot the gap and took Lamar miller down for a 10 yard loss. Third play he he knocked Damien williams for a loop

Sound like Suh and LaMichael James were the two most impressive players. Cameron had two TDs as well.

I speculated last year that James might be a very interesting fit in this offense. They're running an offense similar to what he ran at Oregon, where he led the nation in rushing. He can be a Sproles type of weapon for Miami.