Dolphns to upgrade to more athletic offensive linemen

[padre31]

He’s standing firm on his core believes, which is that bigger is better.

But Ireland admits that after meeting with Miami’s new assistants – especially the coordinators – he’s had to alter the mold slightly in what he’s looking for in draft prospects, and free agents moving forward.

One position Ireland specifically said the blueprint has changed was offensive linemen, which makes sense considering the Dolphins allowed more sacks per passing play than any other team in 2011.

It doesn’t hurt that new coach Joe Philbin and offensive coordinator Mike Sherman previously coached the position themselves.

Philbin clearly wants a more athletic offensive line.

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports...e-linemen.html

Gosh, how about that, 4 yrs into his time as GM and gee, we need more athletic offensive linemen.

[Fin-Omenal]

Hmmm, not only our GM. But why didn't our previous head coach who was former OL guru realize this was a problem?? Oh, because he and Ireland are idiots.

[ckparrothead]

Get rid of Vernon Carey and Marc Colombo and you've essentially already accomplished your task.

All the more evidence that Lydon Murtha is the "hidden talent" on the offensive line.

I wonder if they cut Richie Incognito and go for Scott Wells or Mike Brisiel.

[lmeister3]

Kill me now. How long before our offense features 11 offensive linemen running fumblerooskies for 3 and 4 yard gains?

[Stringer Bell]

Hmmm, not only our GM. But why didn't our previous head coach who was former OL guru realize this was a problem?? Oh, because he and Ireland are idiots.

I mean its not like they drafted an athletic OL in the first round last year or anything...

[padre31]

Get rid of Vernon Carey and Marc Colombo and you've essentially already accomplished your task.

All the more evidence that Lydon Murtha is the "hidden talent" on the offensive line.

I wonder if they cut Richie Incognito and go for Scott Wells or Mike Brisiel.

Wells would make a lot of sense for us, kick Pouncey to LG, and we are much closer to having the OL ironed out, esp/w Murtha and Jerry at RG/RT, though Richie I COULD be a better RG than LG for us.

[Disnardo]

I don't know if it an upgrade by design...

If you wanted to pass in this league, you would always need lighter more athletic linemen...

Our past regime (including) our GM brought in guys that fit the Parcells mold for OL, that being big lumbering guys to block for the run...

Our new coaching regime want to pass more, so guess what??? Out with the old...

[Disgustipate]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports...e-linemen.html

Gosh, how about that, 4 yrs into his time as GM and gee, we need more athletic offensive linemen.

I'm not sure what the problem is. Sparano liked bigger offensive linemen, the front office gave them to him. Philbin wants more athletic players, they'll give them to him.

There was nothing inherently wrong with Sparano's preference for bigger offensive linemen. It's not as if they asked ridiculous things of them, or didn't design the offense around it.

[ckparrothead]

I've said it before but I don't think the Dolphins would sign Wells as a Center. I think Jeff Ireland would get in the way of that. They might try and convince Wells to come in as a Guard though. When Mike Sherman was Head Coach and General Manager of the Packers, he selected Scott Wells as a Guard and that's where he played him. He since went to Center and as an OL Coach I'm sure Philbin likes him there...but that Guard versatility plus Ireland's desire to make the Pouncey pick worth it...I think they'd try and convince Scott to play some Guard again. Just my opinion.

On the other hand, IF they can convince Jeff Ireland to sign a guy that would see Mike Pouncey moved over...which is the big IF...then I can certainly think of worse things than importing the Center-Quarterback duo from the Packers here in Miami, to help implement the scheme. Wells would give the Offensive Line a leg up in how Philbin wants things done. Flynn would give the receivers a leg up in how everyone needs it done, too.

[MonstBlitz]

"Dolphins to upgrade to more people not named Marc Colombo offensive line".

[mommabilly]

I've said it before but I don't think the Dolphins would sign Wells as a Center. I think Jeff Ireland would get in the way of that. They might try and convince Wells to come in as a Guard though. When Mike Sherman was Head Coach and General Manager of the Packers, he selected Scott Wells as a Guard and that's where he played him. He since went to Center and as an OL Coach I'm sure Philbin likes him there...but that Guard versatility plus Ireland's desire to make the Pouncey pick worth it...I think they'd try and convince Scott to play some Guard again. Just my opinion.

On the other hand, IF they can convince Jeff Ireland to sign a guy that would see Mike Pouncey moved over...which is the big IF...then I can certainly think of worse things than importing the Center-Quarterback duo from the Packers here in Miami, to help implement the scheme. Wells would give the Offensive Line a leg up in how Philbin wants things done. Flynn would give the receivers a leg up in how everyone needs it done, too.

Long, Pouncey, Incognito, Wells, Murtha. More then a decent offensive line if Murtha can stay healthy which has been his problem including his college career.

[BlameItOnTheHenne]

Too many fat white guys.

[jw3102]

I mean its not like they drafted an athletic OL in the first round last year or anything...

Wow, four years and tens of millions of dollars wasted on offensive linemen that were failures and then Ireland finally got one right in last years draft. All I can say is ,it's about time.

[cdz12250]

There is obviously a God. Thank you, Lord.

[Sethdaddy8]

They didn't exactly have The Hogs in Green Bay either.

[jw3102]

Long, Pouncey, Incognito, Wells, Murtha. More then a decent offensive line if Murtha can stay healthy which has been his problem including his college career.

Long was great in his first few years but with all his injuries in the last two seasons, his play slipped considerably last season. Hopefully he can regain his health and be the dominant LT he was early in his career, but there is no way of being assured of that at this time.

Pouncey was effective as a rookie center last season and he certainly seems to be someone the coaches can build an offense line around.

Incognito is an average offense lineman, as far as I am concerned. His run blocking appears to be much better than his pass blocking.

Murtha, as you stated has had problems staying on the field because of injuries. To assume he is the answer to improvement on the offensive line is quite a leap, especially when he has yet to show that he should even be a starter in the NFL.

Wells is someone I have never heard of. So I have no idea if he is even on the team, much less an upgrade for the offensive line. Perhaps you could enlighten me as to who he is and why you think he will improve the play of the offensive line.

[AdamC13]

And with the 8th/9th pick in the 2012 NFL draft Miami selects OL ...

• Ireland said the draft has “a strong first round. Offensive line is pretty good.” A Dolphins/Carolina coin flip at 7 a.m. Friday will determine which team picks eighth and which is ninth.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/2...f-ireland.html

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/2...#storylink=cpy

[Conuficus]

I'm not sure what the problem is. Sparano liked bigger offensive linemen, the front office gave them to him. Philbin wants more athletic players, they'll give them to him.

There was nothing inherently wrong with Sparano's preference for bigger offensive linemen. It's not as if they asked ridiculous things of them, or didn't design the offense around it.

Ah, thats where common sense ran off to..........

[Ozzy]

Wells would make a lot of sense for us, kick Pouncey to LG, and we are much closer to having the OL ironed out, esp/w Murtha and Jerry at RG/RT, though Richie I COULD be a better RG than LG for us.

There is no reason to move Pouncey to LG

[smahtaz]

Wow, four years and tens of millions of dollars wasted on offensive linemen that were failures and then Ireland finally got one right in last years draft. All I can say is ,it's about time.

Are you calling Long a failure?