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How to become a Dominant O-Line in 2018

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by dolfan40, Feb 4, 2018.

  1. dolfan40

    dolfan40 Well-Known Member

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    Andrew Norwell, G, Panthers. Age: 26.
    Andrew Norwell is one of the top guards in the NFL. He has improved every single season in the league, and he's now dominant in every regard. Norwell should continue to get better, as he won't even turn 27 until October. Sign him


    Ja'Wuan James, OT, Dolphins. Age: 26.
    Miami had an atrocious offensive line this past season, but don't blame Ja'Wuan James. He was one of the better right tackles in the NFL prior to landing on injured reserve with a groin injury. He was excellent in pass protection, and he's only going to be 26 in June. Resign him

    LT: Laremy Tunsil
    LG: Andrew Norwell
    C: Mike Pouncey
    RG: Jesse Davis (Isaac Asiata)
    RT: Jawuan James

    If they stay healthy it could be a top 10 oline which Ryan will need to become a playoff Qb.

    And we should try to get Trey Burton in Free Agency he looks like a beast..

    What do you think??
     
    Boik14 likes this.
  2. Dolphin Dundee

    Dolphin Dundee Well-Known Member

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    Looks good. But i'm tired of Pouncey to many penalty's for a leader on the o-line. It's time to move on
     
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  3. ripper1961

    ripper1961 Active Member

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    I don't think we keep Pouncey ,he just can't stay on the field.
     
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  4. Walter

    Walter Well-Known Member

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    Good start ...

    Be a pleasant surprise to Finally see someone in the organization waking up to just how important a move like this is. Be surprised if they do though... Norwell is going to cost a pretty penny ( estimated value 11-12 Mil) which the organization will not see as being possibly worth it, getting him at 26 on a nice long term contract....all I could say is "wow"

    Imagine also the addition of a Nelson or Hernandez in the draft (not necessarily my pick Nelson at 11 but would Not complain one bit) could see more or less a Price or Hernandez rd. 2....and we could just forget about the OL for the Next decade, instead of having to have to be in the equation Every year. This is a good starting place for the real continuation of the 20 year "rebuild" we've been in for ever...This team isn't even close to a one two or three player turn over for success. Be nice if a large portion of the people could see it and didn't need another 10 years of this "ground hog day" wheel we've been on.
    Now Price and Hernandez are unproven NFL quality at this point where Norwell yes undrafted but a proven quality player something we don't seem to feel is important even with all the failures of picks we made FA and Draft...

    Pouncey also questionable due to the amount of injury time.

    I know this is not the most popular approach especially to the everyday fan but for us in the long run could be most beneficial in moving us out of the "mediocre" level we lived in since Wannstedt, who also never figured out the OL problem....
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2018
  5. sunworshipper

    sunworshipper Member

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    He was on the field for ALL 16 games last season.
     
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  6. eltos_lightfoot

    eltos_lightfoot Well-Known Member

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    Yes, but was he really? I mean Pouncey was on the field, but was he really Pouncey? I say we move on and let Pouncey and his walker exit stage left. Other than that, I like the idea, we just need a new center.
     
    ripper1961, miamiron and Carmen Cygni like this.
  7. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Pouncey was still one of the best in pass protection- it was his run blocking that took such a massive nosedive in 2017. I'm always for bringing in quality competition at any position but I think it's a huge mistake to part ways after one less than dominant season. If the main goal is to protect Tannehill then he's still a solid center.
     
    Ohio Fanatic likes this.
  8. miamiron

    miamiron There's always next year

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    Might want to get rid of James also since he has the same problem

    Pouncey has missed 19 games in 7 seasons
    James has missed 17 games in 4 seasons
     
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  9. Walter

    Walter Well-Known Member

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    Pouncey's stats

    Year G GS

    2017 16 16
    2016 5 5
    2015 14 14
    2014 12 12
    2013 14 14
    2012 16 16
    2011 16 16

    Pouncey when on is what we need... Think you should consider his health and the level of play due to recovery and level of play when not just 100% healthy ( something pretty common for the typical NFL player to have to deal with through a season ).
    But in order to move him would require IMO Knowing who you are bringing in to fill his position. You don't just let him go without a Definite player of very good proven quality to replace him with ready. Like I said before because of the state of the team would like to see OL with most of career still ahead of them and not the 1-2 year filler to get us to compete with the lower echelon of scrubs fighting to get to ONE playoff game....
    More priority IMO to get one Quality FA for now and future, 2 if possible or consider one of the top 3 Ol in the Draft in which one should be there more second rd. Price, Hernandez...

    This would do wonders right from the git go for our offense and would be a huge start for building a real team going into the future.....I just hope the organization gets it... sad that thats has to even be said..for its such a "basic"....
     
  10. Drizzy

    Drizzy Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Huh? All you did was add Norwell...who's a great guard but we'd need more than that if you want dominant. Pouncey needs to go period, and I'd certainly want another guard in the mix, preferably a 2nd or 3rd rounder to compete with Davis and Asiata.
     
  11. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

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    Yea, I was thinking the same thing myself
     
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  12. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    I like the idea of adding Norwell a lot - I'd probably rather have him than Landry.

    As for Pouncey, I think the addition of a Norwell and better play from RG will help him, but I would also be looking in rounds 2-4 for a center in the draft as well.

    I would definitely prefer to use FA money on OL than elsewhere.
     
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  13. Walter

    Walter Well-Known Member

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    "All you did was add Norwell"

    All ...lol...afraid thats more a dream than an actual acquisition...he'll most likely be one of the top 2018 FA on the market and cost in the 11-12 million ( odds are high we won't be involved ).
    Pouncey replacement would be fine if right player acquired but the Guards should be more priority...

    FA maybe Josh Kline considered one of the better OL and cost in the 7+ million...

    Like your idea of draft more second rd in which Hernandez, Price, maybe a Wynn there....( Wynn I think played OT & C too )

    Nelson at 11 ???? (doubt he's there) but think that 1-2 FA's and the draft pick in the 2nd rd. would be a nice start to a quality line.

    Wow a quality line.....That feels good just saying it....its been so long
     
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2018
  14. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    He played all 16 games

    Edit. I see it was already said
     
  15. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    Excellent point. Usually after undergoing a major surgery you get back your normal strength but not your football strength. I think that is the reason for Pouncey inability to drive block last season. But two years after he should be back to pro bowl level and I expect his run blocking to improve dramatically
     
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  16. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    If Miami keeps him, I hope does. Watching the superbowl showed reminded me what it is like to have a good athletic center.
     
  17. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    That block the first drive when he came off one guy to get another was incredible. Lol. That guy might be the best in the game right now.
     
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  18. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Nor well is getting a minimum of 9-10M per in FA. If the focus is building a great OL, I like the idea of keeping James as he should be more reasonable in the 5-6M per year range (unless a team like the Jets or Browns decides to spend big). Nelson may not be there at 11 and I’ll work under the premise that he won’t because he shouldn’t be. He’s one of the top 3 players in this draft even if Guard isn’t a sexy position.

    Resign James
    Round 2 Take Billy Price (Guard)
    Round 3 Take Will Hernandez (Guard)
    Round 4 Take Frank Ragnow (Center)

    And for the love of God get rid of Pouncey.

    LT Tunsil
    LG Price
    C. Ragnow
    RG Hernandez
    RT James
    Back ups: Jesse Davis, Brendel, San Young

    That’s a group you could keep together for a while and who would immediately improve the OL.
     
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  19. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    Tannehill and whoever the back up is would be out for the year with 3 rookies on the interior line.
     
  20. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    We can sign say Patrick Omameh too if youd like. Though i have to say i think that would be as good an interior trio as youll find given a year or two.
     
  21. ripper1961

    ripper1961 Active Member

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    Pouncey played all 16 games but let's face it he is not at full strength. His base salary is about 8 mill for 2018 which I think could be used on a younger player. Maybe someone who is not as big of a knucklehead as well.
     
  22. eltos_lightfoot

    eltos_lightfoot Well-Known Member

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    Sounds good to me.
     
  23. hitman8

    hitman8 Well-Known Member

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    Norwell will be commanding 10 mil+, that's too expensive considering the plethora of bad contracts we have on the team. We are better off drafting a quality guard like nelson or Hernandez.

    James I agree we should resign him. We are not going to find a better tackle at less than 9.5 mil in free agency.

    Pouncey didn't have a great season and he is still an injury risk, we need a starting capable backup in place, we also need a quality backup left tackle in case tonsil gets injured. Still a lot of work to do overall before we have a dominant Oline.
     
  24. guerteltier

    guerteltier New Member

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    Hey guys, it´s all about money and quality. If the Phins go on with Pouncey, James and a signing of Norwell, they will have to pay at least (as Spotrac projects) 11.7 Mios (Norwell), 9 Million (Pouncey) and 9.3 Million (James) - 30 Million dollars for three players on offfense line, who were (last season stats by PFF) 27th (Mike P.), 17th and 3rd at their position. The Phins are by far not able to afford such an O-Line.

    I have some other plans which are cheap and have a decent quality:
    1st: cut James AND Pouncey - will get the Phins additional 16.3 Million in salary

    2nd: keep your hands off Norwell, sign Justin Pugh instead. Had a poor 2017 but the other years he happened to be one of the best Guards in the league. Spotrac projects him at 6-8 Million and the Giants struggle with salary cap in 2018.

    3rd: think about signing a RFA Center. There are two to mention entering the 2018 free agency. Weston Richburg is strong at pass blocking and is projected at around 8 Million - he was injured last year and just made four games. The cheaper, better and my primary option will be Matt Paradis, Center of the Denver Broncos. When the Broncos sign Cousins/Foles or one of the Vikings-QBs, they heavily run out of cap space and they will not be able to match offers on Paradis. He played at least every offensive snap with Denver (just missed 10...) since he entered the NFL, he is a very good run blocker and an above average pass blocker. On PFF, he had a rating of 90.7 (2016) and 75.2 (2017) the last two years. Spotrac porojetcs his salary at 6.5 Million. To be compared with a cut of Pouncey, Miami would get a better, cheaper (even with MPs dead money) and reliable Center. So please sign Paradis!

    4th: promote Jesse Davis at RT or get D.J. Humphries! As there is no OT worth mentioning in free agency, there are only two solutions: count on Davis or draft/trade a RT. An option would be D.J. Humphries, OT at the Cardinals. Downtrade with Arizona to 15th spot, get a third round pick and Humphries in return. There are only few additional costs as Miami won't have to pay rookie #11 but 15 and one additional in third round plus the salary of Humphries - at least 3 Million. Humphries can play both the tackle positions and he is a solid option.

    --> cut James, Pouncey and don´t re-sign Bushrod (as a player), get 16.3 Million in salary
    --> sign Pugh and Paradis, trade for Humphries and keep Larsen (RG) and Tunsil (LT). what will cost 6.5 (Paradis), 6 (Pugh), 3 (Humphries) Million and lead to an O-Line: Humphries, Larsen, Paradis, Pugh, Tunsil
    --> go for Brendel, Davis, Asiata, Young and Clemsons Tylor Hearn (Clemson, 7th round) as backups
     
  25. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    I like the optimism, but relying on 3 rookies on the interior is not realistic I think - doubly so with our track record. Gotta use FA money to get somebody in there.
     
  26. guerteltier

    guerteltier New Member

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    Another option at RT: NEs Cameron Fleming. Showed his quality until SB but will be backup as Cannon returns from IR in 2018. He is just 1.797M at salary and the Phins are able to offer him some money AND a starting spot at RT to replace James. Allthough he is a Pat - sign him! The guys from NE won't go more than 2.5-3M but the Dolphins could (and I think they should) afford by cleaning 9.3 if they cut James..
     
  27. Phinsfan92

    Phinsfan92 Member

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    How on earth are we gonna land Price, Ragnow and Hernandez?? The only way we pull that off is if we trade down in the first but we would not go OL for all 3 rounds anyways.

    If we know Gase at all, Pouncey is staying. Hopefully JJ’s injury history lowers his market price so we can retain him at the range you mentioned. They need to grab 1 guard in FA and another in the 3rd-4th round that can also play center like a Ragnow or Clapp. Would look something like this:

    LT Tunsil
    LG Pugh/Kline/Mewhort
    C Pouncey
    RG Ragnow/Clapp
    RT Juwan James

    When Pouncey inevitably gets hurt, you can slide Ragnow or Clapp over to C and fill Jesse Davis in at RG.
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2018

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