Well, I am sure I will get a ton of flack for this. Miami, in the offseason, must address the Center and Left Tackle Positions, through FA or a high pick. The formula is obvious with this team. This team is starving for quality depth. Do they depend on Pouncey and Albert, or move on for consistency? Tunsil could move to T, so it could be LG and C. Nonetheless, it is clear this team now has some stability and now has to do what good teams do, and solidify a line that has great skilled players.
Dude, what are you talking about??? Nothing can be done about this now. And it will be addressed in the offseason. Don't know why this subject needed to be a new thread
I actually have confidence that this coaching staff can actually identify talent, so I don't think you have to go with a high pick. I mean, the backups seem st last competent this season. Absolutely, I think you have to replace Albert, maybe roll with Pouncey one more season, see if he stays healthy.
You don't like Steen going forward at Center? I think he's been pretty good holding it down for Pouncey.
I think where we are losing out with Steen is in protection calls and he isn't close to being as athletic as Pouncey. There is a clear difference when Mike is on the field an when he isn't.
As much as I'd like to move Albert, he's probably going to retire as a Dolphin in the next year or two. And we do need a few quality backups but this is about the best shape we've been in for linemen in over a decade. If it's my call I almost don't think I draft an offensive player in the first 5-7 rounds...the defense is just too weak all over the field. Corner, safety, linebacker...that's where my focus would be.
I think Albert is gone after this season. Move Tunsil over. Find a FA above average guard with hopefully a rep for playing in most games. Pouncey stays. There just isn't really much savings in cutting him yet. Plus when he plays it's very very good. I would however invest a top 3 round pick in a Center if the draft lines up this way (no idea on the strength of this years draft worthy centers). Groom him for a year to take over and hopefully provide better play over Steen as a backup. Let Steen and whatever later picks/undrafted/FA signings compete at RG. Bushrod hasn't really been good at all so I don't mind if we move on there. Steen might also be a more natural RG. Then obviously we run out James on his rookie contract and see if he grows up more and is even worth a 2nd contract. Also they have to put an emphasis again on finding solid cheap backup linemen. I'd keep looking still for a quality swing backup tackle. I'd go heavy with DE, LB's in the draft mixed in with maybe a first/2nd round TE if they can't pick up someone solid in FA. Probably DE/LB/C in a mixture those first 3 rounds. Mix in DE/LB/OL/CB rest of the draft and undrafted. Bound to change though depending on FA signings. LB may be one area we can upgrade on in FA as they are more likely to slip from teams over other positions.
I think you take a G in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th. Someone you can either develop or play right away when Albert goes down and you shift Tunsil to Tackle. Steen is a quality back up. I do agree that we need more depth which could mean a late round pick and/or a free agent. I think the main focus of the draft needs to be CB, LB, TE, G.
Like Van said, if you cut Pouncey after this season, you're cutting him just to not have him here anymore, not to free up money to sign someone else. If we wait until after the 2017 season, then we save 7m and only have a 2m dead money hit to the cap. I totally agree that his injuries are frustrating, and that we need to bring in a replacement that we can groom to take over in the 2018 season, but right now, the big contract that he was given ties the team's hands. As far as Albert, its more murky. The team can save over 7m by cutting him this offseason, vs 9.4m after 2017, so there's a case to be made that its a worthwhile financial choice. However, I think that you could also argue that you move him to LG next season for one year instead of spending a high draft pick on someone else. Some have suggested that he might be willing to take a pay cut to stick around, but thats just speculation.
First pick I'm taking a corner, move Tumsil over to LT find a free agent LG Pouncey hopefully will be 100% next season Bushrod is iffy but he is better than what we have had, maybe put Urbick in that spot or maybe even LG. But we can't deny when Albert is healthy he is a house.
You guys are talking about Steen, who already lost his job to Urbick, who looked like a ***** vs that guy from New England. He allowed more penetration up the middle than a porn star. A good FA center might not be a bad idea if we want Jay to run well again next season.
lol... You literally just made up 99% of what you wrote. Steen, coming in as an undrafted (basically) rookie, playing a position he doesn't normally play, did very well at playing center. In fact, he's the only Dolphins lineman to not give up a sack all season.
No, I knew what you meant, I just can't believe that someone sees that as a need over oline, de, and LBs.
I'm probably wrong I just feel it is the best value by the time Miami picks, those days of early draft picks are hopefully over.
Miami is still 2 starters away from having a legit offensive line, capable of running on downs when you have to be able to run the ball. Pouncey can't be trusted and Bushrod is just not acceptable. He doesn't win POA in the run. If Pouncey can even play 8 games your'e freakin lucky, much less 12-16. He can't be counted on. He would be 'icing on the cake' for every game he plays but a suitable replacement needs to be on the roster; actual starter material. We have to upgrade over Bushrod. He's dunzo. He can be depth if he wants to be but this a true position of need if we want to contend next season. Don't forget about Murphy's Law. Bad things will always happen if we're not prepared for them to happen. The more prepared we are, the better luck we'll have.
Once again, making things up...lol...Why? Urbick took over for Steen when Steen injured his ankle and couldn't play.