http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...cey-expected-to-be-ready-for-start-of-season/ If this happens, and he survives camp (he may not participate much), look out
Im not happy about this honestly. Pouncey hasn't completed a full season in the last few years if Im remembering correctly. Sure they want to use him lightly but we cant count on him being the man anymore at center. I was hoping we could have moved him in the offseason but I know we would have gotten nothing since no one knows his service level. We need to address this because hes not long for the team and counting on an injured player to become an all star again sounds like the Old Dolphins Ghosts are still around.
More importantly, who is going to win the LG spot? Should Asiata start, which side is he on? I don't know if he beats out Urbik or Steen his rookie year.
He needs to work on his aim. Hard to be a mauling, pulling guard if you miss your damn block. He might need a little seasoning. We'll find out soon.
Remember back in the day when the Chargers barely played LaDainian Tomlinson in the preseason? I really think that more teams should take that approach with key, aging vets - especially if they have been on the team for years. I think that it would be prudent to take this approach with Pouncey, especially. If one year from today, he was ready to enter the preseason after playing all 16 game, I would still take the same approach and try and lengthen his career.
Barry Jackson http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article158796034.html
The more I think about this, the more I'm inclined to alter my viewpoint for the front office to see if we can't sign Nick Mangold, at least for a single season as an insurance policy. Mike Pouncy is an INCREDIBLE center and player however, facts are facts... Pouncy hasn't played a full season since 2012 and with him playing only 5 games last season? We need a SOLID offensive line, especially if we are going to depend on Ajayi to be the workhorse of the offense. We do need an insurance policy at center and if a reasonable deal can be made to bring Mangold in, I say we go for it.
To me, it's sort of like the Cam Wake situation last year- he was slated to be a backup for the first time ever just to let him heal up and be 100%. That move let him play most of the year at a dominant level and still start for about 3/4 of the season. We know Steen is a good center....maybe not on Mangold's level....but not a slouch either. We also know that Pouncey is one of the best overall and the best center in the league on run plays. I think he's well worth the gamble to see how the year unfolds. One other thing I'll point out that most people probably wouldn't think about- Hernandez was a very close friend and he took all of that very hard. I think between the 2nd trial and all the pain/rehab at the same time last season, he hit an emotional low and was ready to give up on himself. Remember, there were possibilities of him being indited as well, so I think he just hit rock bottom. I don't have any direct sources in camp this year so I can't comment on his current outlook, but the media is saying that he's a lot more positive and confident in himself. I think that's all he needs to be back to himself- a little extra time to heal up and a better outlook.
My hopes for Asiata are lower than they were before. I just hope he doesn't become the next Jamil Douglas. Pouncey,... I an curious, how many games did he play each of the last three seasons? Whatever the avg per season is is what we ought to expect... or maybe less, as his body has been through more injuries at this point. [Edit: Games Started 12, 14, 5 in 2014, 2015, 2016 respectively. So an average of around 10 games per season, but if he's less durable now than he used to be you might handicap it to 8 games this season. Yep. I could see us getting about 50% of the starting Center snaps out of him]
Esh. Uh Yeah. We still need Mangold as backup. There is ZERO reason to think somehow Pouncey is going to make it through the entire season and at least two playoff games. I mean I hope too. But we need a solid wowee backup which we don't have.
Mangold holds the cards and he knows it. He will sign when a center goes down and a team is desperate IMO.
If this is Mangold's strategy, then it demonstrates a lack of commitment. I'd like to think he would want to sign with a team and find a new home to continue his incredible career as soon as possible...at least that's what I'd like to think but then again, I am the eternal optimist.
It's not good having to keep your center under bubble wrap. It's not like he is a kicker and he can avoid involvement in physical confrontations, he plays in the middle of the line. Mangold right now is just a name and as a savvy veteran is trying to avoid training camp waiting for the desperate team (we wont be that team), Steen wasnt good (Urbik played better at center) but between him, Larsen and Urbik I think the staff will try to get something going. In a way not having Pouncey for training camp and pre season will be good because they will have time to assess the position and try the potential contingency plans
From what I heard in pressers, from Asiata and on the Dolphins talk shows w Bokamper and guests it consistently sounded like he has a long way to go.
Okay, thanks. I don't get that local stuff anymore so it's helpful to have the context. He was always thought of as a project player that should start eventually, so it's really just a question if he needs 3 months or 3 years. The media hasn't really said anything about him though that I saw, so I had no idea.
I remain unconvinced about Pouncey, and I will believe he is actually healthy after seeing him play for 5 or 6 games at a high level. Last year we saw him play at a high level for 3 games then start to break down again. With all the stuff that has come out about his personal life (Jonathon Martin, Aaron Hernandez) I am skeptical that he puts in genuine sustained effort to keep healthy. I think he puts in enough effort to be healthy enough to start the next game, but not the extra effort for season long conditioning that a player like Cam Wake puts in. I would love to be proven wrong. I would prefer to rely on having Nick Mangold in the fold.
Steen also played injured last year. i think there is probably only one spot between Steen and Urbik. so we'll see how that works out. i dont know what Mangold brings to the table any longer...hes no spring chicken. If we seriously think we need Mangold, we should probably see if any team is willing to part with a C for a late rd pick--or better, wait until the waiver wire hits. Who knows what will be available in late Aug/early Sept?
