To say that the Miami Dolphins’ offensive line remains in flux would be more than an understatement. Center Mike Pouncey, the only returning starter at the same position, could miss up to half the season with a torn labrum, and versatile Nate Garner was manning the center position during Tuesday’s practice.
The Dolphins are also contemplating moving starting guard Shelley Smith to center. Daryn Colledge was signed to a one-year deal when Pouncey’s surgery was announced, and is a natural guard.
“We’re looking at a number of different combinations,” Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said. “We don’t have a rock-solid, solidified, ‘These are our five starters at this position.’ And so that’s part of the process at training camp. We wanted to get (Garner) exposure at playing inside and outside. That will continue I would imagine for a while longer as well.”
Philbin noted it is still early in training camp, and now is the time to experiment with combination. While the coaching staff has been pleased with the overall effort from the group, there is still plenty of work to be done.
“I think the offensive line is coming along right on schedule,” offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said. “I feel good about how they carried over what they know about our run game from the spring.
“We weren’t perfect. I thought they played physical upfront. Everything is going to start inside with the center and so obviously having one down right now, you asked is it a concern? It’s a concern, but it’s one we’re going to answer.”
As the coaching staff reviews who is cutting it on the offensive line, the front office continues to keep tabs on the free agent market and swap out personnel in search of increased depth.
“It’s tough for the guys that are here and have been with us for an offseason,” Philbin said of the regular roster moves. “That’s the nature of football. You have to take a look and explore different options of getting better, so that’s really what it was all about.”
Wide receiver Mike Wallace is among the skill position players learning a new offense and being asked to play multiple roles, and he’s confident the offensive line will come together in due time.
“Those guys put in work every single day,” Wallace said. “I think coach is doing a good job getting them in position and teaching them the right steps. Hopefully, we can just get it going and keep (quarterback) Ryan (Tannehill) up straight, so we can get some good plays in.”
–RB Lamar Miller continues to show improvement along with the additional five pounds he reported to training camp with, and is shaping up as a potential surprise contributor in Lazor’s offense despite the offseason addition of Knowshon Moreno.
“Lamar, I think, has a chance to be a really good player in this league because I think he has a good mix of, No. 1, being a space player, having the ability to use his speed,” Lazor said. “What I saw a couple of days ago, our first day in pads, I really like the way he ran the ball. In our short-yardage situations, I thought he got downhill. If he’ll put those things together, I think he’s got chance to be a real productive player.”
Philbin noted that he’s still waiting to see how well Miller has progressed in pass protection.
Miller said he was able to add the five pounds without sacrificing any speed.
“I think I just got a little more explosive and stronger,” he said. “I think Lazor is doing a great job with the offense, just opening the offense for me and the running backs to get into the open field to make big plays for this offense.”
–DE Dion Jordan continues to receive regular snaps in the rotation, but that will likely change as he four-game suspension to begin the regular season draws near.
“There will come a time where we’re going to have to balance the fact that, OK, he’s not going to be available for four weeks and other players will need certain reps,” Philbin said. “I don’t think we’re at that point yet, but it will come at some point.”
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Probably when four practices into training camp with a new system, one of the things you have to be as a quarterback is thick skinned. You’re going to get a coat of shellac because things are happening fast. You’re trying to learn. I think Ryan’s doing a great job.” – Lazor, on the development of quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
