Two articles from a Phinsider writer (craniator87) take a brief look at the Dolphins' OL and believe that unit is better than most seem to think; that there's even room for excitement... It's an interesting take. I'm not sure what to think, I'm just going to wait and see. What I will say is that I was amazed how well the OL did last season, especially as starters went down. The last few seasons that would have been a death knell for Miami, but they managed to hold up well enough to get into the playoffs and I was pleasantly surprised. So I'm at least open to possibility of hope and good things to come. Anyone else have a take? 1 - Talk Of Fins' OL Being Subpar Is Ridiculous "...Even if Pouncey doesn't start a single game for the Dolphins this season, the team should still be able to field a good, solid trio of interior offensive linemen from the group of Kraig Urbik, Anthony Steen, Jermon Bushrod, fifth round rookie Isaac Asiata and the aforementioned Larsen. That may not necessarily sound like an overly impressive group to a lot of folks, but I've got news for you: that group collectively, has started a combined 247 NFL games, and in the big leagues, you don't get to play because of who you know or who you're related to; they only do that for coaches. If multiple NFL coaching staffs send a guy into the game that many times, that guy can play. ...Regardless of what the naysayers, whether from the national press or the team's own fan base, may say, we should look forward to the Dolphins' front line being even better this season than they were a year ago. It's an exciting time to be a Dolphin fan." 2 - Offensive Line, Part Two: Coaching "San Francisco is where current Dolphins OL coach Chris Foerster had some of his greatest success, overseeing the Forty Niners' power-blocking scheme under head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, advancing to the Super Bowl after the 2012 season. After leaving San Francisco when Jim Harbaugh and the team parted ways, Foerster landed with the Redskins, where he proceeded to make former sixth-round pick Alfred Morris a household name and two-time Pro Bowler... ...He knows how to coach blocking techniques, however, and that's what the Dolphins need from him now. The team took off when Gase and Co. switched to a slower paced, run-first style of play, and the drafting of Utah behemoth Isaac Asiata this year signals more of the same. That, in this writer's opinion, is very good news. It's an exciting time to be a Dolphin fan."
I mean, our guard situation does look like it has potential to not be the reason for me to chuck my TV across room, so there's that.
Once we get a really solid offensive line, than the offense will be awesome. Getting more first downs and scoring more as well.
We now have a lot of depth at guard, which is important. If we have an injury here or there, it shouldn't destroy the team. However, none of them is likely to be more than passable. Thats a big step up from Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner though, who were two of the worst OL in the league, and both started early last season for us. As was said, Pouncey being mostly healthy for one more season is big. If he stays on the field, then we should be able to figure out the peices around him. At tackle, our starters should be good with Tunsil and James. However, our depth is almost completely unproven. Should one of them go down, it could be devistating. In a perfect world, I'd like to see: Tunsil Urbick Pouncey Bushrod James ...as our starting OL Week 1, with Larsen as the primary backup at all three interior spots, while Asiata learns the ropes and gets his feet wet, ready to take over a starting job in 2018. Steen should only see the field if two other guys are out.
The biggest differences should be continuity and improved depth. That is far more important than what name gets added. Great OLs are great b/c of how they work together. That's far more important than individual talent assuming of course that the talent level is at least competent. Other than maybe Asiata, who's potential I like, but probably isn't ready yet, I don't think we have any other players on the OL who aren't at least competent already. I couldn't have said that over the last few years.
I kinda like Steen, I believe he was injured last year. Will be interesting to see what he does healthy.
