Is The Miami Dolphins Offensive Line Set?

The interior offensive line is missing young talent.

The interior offensive line is missing young talent.

The offensive line is young outside and old inside

It has been a common question for around the past decade: is Miami’s offensive line going to be better next year. Each off season Miami adds and subtracts players from their offensive line. However, they have yet to become a real strength of this team. The entire success of the offense can made or broken based on the quality of a team’s offensive line. Last year was the first time we finally saw glimpses that our line could play at a dominant level. But injuries once again caused a set back on the offensive line’s ability to progress.

This year the Dolphins decided to trade Branden Albert, who is a very good Left Tackle, but has had a very hard time staying healthy. Instead Miami has decided to give Laremy Tunsil the keys to the Left Tackle position. He will be asked to be one of the leaders of this 2017 offensive line. Tunsil showed he has the tools and ability to be a very good player, and NFL odds are betting with the free bookie software that he will have a smooth transition to the Left Tackle position next year.

Gase believe in the Offensive Line… but, do you?

Moving Tunsil to the Left Tackle position meant that we were now short a guard. So Miami went out and signed Ted Larsen, who has a lot of starting experience at Guard and Center, and will be given every opportunity to earn one of the starting Guard positions. Larsen is a cheap and serviceable option. Unfortunately, he may not be the answer. He actually graded out last year worse than our previous problems… Guards Turner and Thomas. I wouldn’t be surprised if Anthony Steen beats out Larsen for one of the starting Guard positions. He and Kraig Urbick filled in admirably for Mike Pouncey last year and with more hard work he can improve even more next season.

Miami’s offensive line could use a young talented Guard

Lastly, Miami just announced that they are resigning Jermon Bushrod, which means he could be the other starting Guard. He did not play up to his Pro Bowl level last year, however, he was still getting used to playing Guard, something that he never did before. In addition, even though he did not grade out that great, when you watch the tape last year, he didn’t play that bad–and was much better before he got hurt. Bushrod also brings leadership to the position and the team.

So the million dollar question is, will Miami going to be better or worse on the offensive line?  Unfortunately no one knows. On paper it appears that they may have actually taken a step back. The reason I say this is because we are basically substituting Albert for Larsen, and even though Albert is good for being hurt a few games, he is still much better than Larsen. In addition, Tunsil is going to have a few bumps in the road playing against each team’s best pass rusher. the one good thing is that besides the switch of Larsen for Albert, Miami is going to pretty much have the same group, which is always good to help the continuity of the offensive line. At least this group will have a familiarity of playing together, which is very important for any offensive line.

Offensive Line will make or break the 2017 season

While Miami is most likely done adding lineman in free agency, this doesn’t mean that they won’t select an offensive lineman in the upcoming draft. Miami did a very good job this free agency of adding players at positions of need, which also means they have given themselves the opportunity to draft the best player available in each round. This may lead to them drafting an Offensive Lineman in one of the first 3 rounds if a top lineman is still on the board. What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about what Miami has done on the offensive line this off season, and whether or not they will be better at that position next year?


 

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12 comments

  • Steve

    Admin

    A question Stephen Ross should asked!

    Considering Miami Dolphins draft
    Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky

    What other players can help us to win the Division?

    Second questioned is we have 3 picks in the 5th round, Who can start and who will have an impact day one, not two years from now?

  • Steve

    How do we get over the hump? Who do we draft to help us get pass New England?

    New England down in Miami week 17

    We had a 10-6 season / Defeating the PAT’s we can do it.

    https://youtu.be/XXEqf7ViiCQ

    Miami playing up at New England against their Back up QB!
    Sept 2016

    http://www.patriots.com/news/2016/09/18/miami-dolphins-postgame-transcripts-918

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yz7pg69xSM

  • Steve

    Week 13 Dolphins at Ravens Maybe the team “(Maybe the Fins should have practice in Baltimore that entire week getting condition to the cold and minimizing distractions)”.

    https://youtu.be/GYI9GFPoiU8

  • Steve

    Discussion about the Miami Dolphins.

    Half Empty or Have Full

    https://youtu.be/6CjpqdH2bv8

  • Steve

    Another reason why we need secondary dominators help from the draft.

    Patriots 7, Dolphins 0: First quarter (7:28)
    Tom Brady was perfect on the opening drive as the Patriots offense marched down the field for a touchdown. He connected on all six of his passes for 41 yards and a touchdown pass to Martellus Bennett. Seven Patriots players got a touch on the drive, which went for 75 yards on 13 plays in over seven minutes. The Patriots tapped into their depth and took their sweet time by wasting clock time in what should be a game both teams want to end quickly. Matt Lengel even got a touch. Brady is spreading the ball around — even if he’s without some of his top receivers.

  • Steve

    2016 The Dolphins made the best run in games won in years.

    We will get a good guard in the draft.
    But we have to address the back end of our secondary. Or draft best value players in the 1,2 and 3rd round. The best value player will most likely start for the Dolphins.

    Here is where we stand playing the Ravens and Patriots when it counts the most.

    Dec 4, 2016
    The Ravens made it clear they were going to attack the back end of Miami’s defense. Baltimore’s pass-to-run ratio in the first half was 34-to-7, and Flacco was on fire, throwing three touchdowns. Using that formula, the Ravens (7-5) produced four consecutive scoring drives in the first half and didn’t punt until the 9:31 mark of the third quarter.

  • Steve

    Upside the Guard iissue is addressed, Down side Guard would be a reach in the st round.

    Defenses win games we must have true leaders in the middle we don’t have that Ray Lewis, Zach Thomas, etc. Who disrupts the offense! We don’t have and let’s not sugar coat this issue. There some in the 1st round at 22nd.

    What I’m concerned about is the Dolphins trading away their draft picks on one player.

    Not having a 4th and 6th round pick will show up in the wash, it is more impressive to have 2 1st or 2nd or 3rd round picks.

    It appears that we are always on the shorty in with our draft pick?

    • admin

      Yeah, they must get 2-3 starters and it will be more difficult with the picks being later in the round and with less picks overall. This will show what they are made up in the scouting dept. Anything less than 2 quality starters will make this season rough. Too many holes not to fill even 2 with picks.

  • Lemmus

    …in a word, NO!

    …our two OTs are set and should be above average. James graded out well over the last part of the season, and Tunsil should transition easily.

    …at C, Pouncey has not played a complete season in years now due to injuries …he is great with the run and ok in pass protection but his health is the issue …Steen is his backup for a reason, he is not a good run blocker and breaks down too quickly in pass protection …we need a rookie to take Steen’s job and be ready to step up when Pouncey goes down.

    Guard is a disaster waiting to happen. Bushrod is back and will almost certainly beat out Larsen at RG …but that only addresses how bad Larsen projects, not the horrid ranking Bushrod got from pff last season …the only hope is that Bushrod learned last year in moving from tackle to guard and a full camp will help him be much improved this year.

    LG is vacant …period. Yeah, there are warm bodies to fill the roster spot with but not one of them projects to be an actual decent fill there …we will almost certainly use one of the top 2 picks to do so …quite possibly #1 because the draft depth at Guard is non-existent …and with Misi returning at OLB, there will still be good LBs in the 2nd where this year’s draft is very deep.

    TH will be wearing a knee brace this season for a reason …and its delusional to think defenses won’t go after it …if we go with another year of makeshift OL, look for more of Moore …and despite the TH haters, that’s not a winning strategy.

    • Frantz

      Can we really pass over someone like Reddick or Cunningham or TJ Watt (or a great CB that slip to 22) to take a Guard like Lamp (because hes the only G/C worth of first and maybe second round )that is rated very good but not exceptional ? If the choice is between Lamp and one of thos risky monodimensional edge rushers like Williams or Harris or McKinley i would go with Lamp (that can be also a great Center in future) but if the choice is between lamp and a possible great LB i would prefer the LB.
      (sorry for my english . i’m italian )

      • admin

        No worries Frantz… Jimmy knows more about the draft than me and Steve knows more than the both of us. If I study a player, I usually do well, I just don’t have a big college base of reference–not a college football guy. So, as players get on the radar and I study them, I can offer more to the discourse. Lamp looks good, but in my limited glances I like Feeney as well for the reason he can be had later. “Very aware of twists and blitzes. Shoots a strong punch that can jar gap shooters out of the gap and can put a sting into both twisters as he snaps and catches. Zone-blocking specialist with desired lateral quickness. Takes well-planned routes up to second-level targets on difficult backside cutoffs,” according to to draft analysis, and can be had in the 2-4 round. I too like a LB first round… or even a DE over a G. Lamp is better with less downside, but I too wonder how much better. Lamp would be a pick a #1 that couldn’t be complained at though.

    • admin

      yeah, it’s hard to believe given the players on the roster now that the interior is filled. Maybe if Pouncey plays the whole season… maybe. But, even then, I find it hard to believe if they don’t get a guard in the draft that this is a winning interior…