Miami 0-line resource cost

futility, thy name is Miami Dolphins.

...Dolphins offensive line: The involved cost for their five starters is more than any other line in the NFL. They don’t just have issues, but they’re expensive, too.

...They’ve spent more than any team out there. But building a line is more than spending. It’s evaluation, development, finding good system fits, employing game plans, having good health and a dose of luck.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/dave-hyde-blog/sfl-hyde5-dolphins-have-spent-more-on-ol-than-any-team-20150925-story.html

its actually an interesting read, but warning - its quite depressing too when you look at how the Pats build their line and continue to have success. oh, and the Packers have used the least amount of resources on the o-line and also seem to keep finding ways to win.

And just think...Joe Philbin was an OL coach for 20 years before becoming the Packers' offensive coordinator!

I forget who said it, but someone on QAM this week said that the Patriots build their team by drafting/acquiring football players. Other teams, like the Dolphins, look for athletes that play football. There's a big difference, and it shows on the field.

And as usual, it all comes down to drafting. Look at the Packers - that team has been built almost entirely through the draft. They have less than a handful of other teams' free agents on the entire roster. Their drafts produce quality starters and quality depth - and that depth is often just as important as the starters.

The Dolphins have tried to build their OL through the draft, and all that's done is show just how incompetent they are. Pouncey was a good pick, James was a good pick (who is starting to look worse by the week...) - and that's it. Thomas is a disaster, Turner can't even get on the field, Douglas looks awful as a rookie, Martin was...well, we all know how that turned out. It's mind-boggling that this team can't find a decent lineman outisde of the first round.

And, the Phins have not even tried to build OL depth through the draft; all the backups are free agents (both veterans and undrafted players) - except Turner, who apparently is so bad he isn't worthy to dress on gameday. We throw away late-round picks on garbage like TE Arthur Lynch, LB Jordan Tripp, S Cedric Thompson, RB Mike Gillislee, etc. etc. and don't even bother drafting O-linemen late. Hell, the Bills drafted their starting RT (Seantral Henderson) in round 7 and the Pats drafted several current starters in round 4 - and those guys are all damn good players!

Some of the O line woes can be laid directly at the feet of the pitiful coaching IMO.

Why Philbin has the hots for Dallas Thomas I do not understand.

But it could be that the other options suck worse?? Frightening thought, but possibly true.

I say about 60-75 percent of the Phins troubles could be solved with some better coaching.

Knowing that Albert was hurt, how the hell did this team not bring in a real LT this offseason?

The left side of this line - with Fox at LT and Thomas at LG - might be the worst left side in the history of football.

Branden Albert didn’t play Sunday.

And he might not again anytime soon.

Albert missed the Dolphins’ 41-14 loss to the Bills Sunday with a hamstring injury. And there’s a real chance the left tackle won’t be ready when the Dolphins face the Jets in London on Sunday.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article36786978.html

while it is clearly too late to fix the o-line (the time for that was in the off-season), something must be done to mitigate the continued shit pile that Miami is putting on the field - if nothing else but to protect Tanny's life. with Albert not coming back at least in the near future, what changes can be made?

1. nothing. ignore the problem and leave Fox as the LT starter.
2. move James to the left and Dallas Thomas to RT with Turner coming in at OG.
3. Thomas to LT with Turner at OG.

mercury22nathan wrote:1. nothing. ignore the problem and leave Fox as the LT starter.
2. move James to the left and Dallas Thomas to RT with Turner coming in at OG.
3. Thomas to LT with Turner at OG.

Knowing this staff, they will choose option 1.

I wouldn't move James. he was terrible last season at LT, and he's been pretty poor at RT this season. Just leave him on the right side.

The only change needed with Thomas is to move him to the bench.

I have no idea if the Phins have ever used Turner at LG, but he should certainly get a look somewhere. I remain convinced that he should be a tackle, and I'd love to see him get a chance at LT - but I'm sure the coaches don't agree. But, the way Douglas is playing at RG, it seems logical that Turner should be given every opportunity to replace him. And because it's logical, it won't happen on this team.

I still say we should give Linkenbach a chance at LT and McClendon at LG. They're not any good either, but you can't put Fox and Thomas out there again...you just can't.