DAVIE, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins have viewed their offensive line as a major problem for years, and the fact quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been sacked 184 times, more than any other quarterback in the last four years, lends credence to their concerns.
But health, not talent, is the major enemy of the Dolphins’ offensive line if you listen to their players.
And there’s help on the way now that Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert is completely recovered from the severe knee injury (he damaged three ligaments) that sidelined him for the second half of the 2014 season and slowed him for the first part of 2015.
“I started playing (late last season) like the elite player I was playing like before my injury,” Albert said. “Now, I’ve just got to carry it (forward).
“Right now, I’m in the best shape I’ve been in in a long time. It’s the lightest (313 pounds) I’ve been since I left Kansas City. As of right now, I’m just trying to keep continuing to get my body together and learning the offense and continuing to work.”
The way Miami figures it, if Albert, Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey and up-and-coming right tackle Ja’Wuan James stay healthy, they should be pretty good.
“I think that’s been the key issue, all of staying healthy at once,” Albert said. “Once we all stay healthy, we stay cohesive and we find the right five, I believe we can be a heckuva offensive line.”
Most likely, Miami is looking at a starting offensive line that includes Albert, Pouncey and James with Jermon Bushrod at right guard and Laremy Tunsil, the first-round pick from Mississippi, at left guard.
The Dolphins think with health, and the guard situation resolved, they can have a good running and passing game.
And, no, Albert isn’t upset the Dolphins selected Tunsil, a left tackle by trade, with the No. 13 pick.
“When we got him, I said it’s going to be a benefit for the offensive line,” Albert said of Tunsil. “The more the merrier, to be honest with you. I know some people called me like, ‘What’s going on?’ I was like, ‘I’m the left tackle of this team.’ I wasn’t worried or anything.”
With Albert healthy, Miami is hoping it can turn its offensive line fortunes this season, give Tannehill time to hit receivers such as Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills and tight end Jordan Cameron, and turn their offense into a scoring machine.
Albert thinks they’re on their way.
“The Big Three, me, Ja’Wuan and Mike, I think we probably played five games together in the last two years, so we’ve got to stay healthy somehow — a little bit of luck, a little bit of prayer, a little bit of extra work,” Albert said. “Once all of us stay together healthy, I think we can be a pretty good offensive line.”