Depth on o-line is vital to Dolphins’ chances
Editor's note: With the start of Dolphins’ training camp seven days away, the Sun Sentinel takes a look at the team's top storylines in a 10-part series. Today, Chris Perkins tackles whether Miami did enough to fortify its offensive line in the offseason.
Center Mike Pouncey’s hip might be the most important factor in the success of the Miami Dolphins’ offensive line this season, and left tackle Laremy Tunsil’s health is probably the second-most.
If Pouncey’s lingering hip ailment continues to be a problem or if Tunsil is sidelined for a significant amount of time, the Dolphins would be forced to dip into their offensive line depth.
Surprisingly, that might not be as much of a fear as itwas in the past.
The Dolphins were forced to play backups last season and things turned outOKdespite some rocky moments. Miami surrendered just 30 sacks, 10th-best in the NFL, and had the league’s ninth-best rushing offense (114 yards per game).
Those numbers helped lead them to 10 wins and their first playoff berth since the 2008 season.
The Dolphins enter training camp thinking their offensive line depth is stronger than last year, and they might be right.
The starting offensive line, aside from Pouncey, the three-time Pro Bowl selection who is the team’s best offensive lineman, and Tunsil, the 2016 first-round pick who is shifting from left guard to tackle, includes right tackle Ja’Wuan James, right guard Jermon Bushrod and left guard Ted Larsen.
Veteran center/guard Kraig Urbik would likely be Pouncey’s backup. It’s a big drop-off, but Urbik, who made starts at center and left guard last season, has proved competent. The same goes for tackle Sam Young, who would likely serve as Tunsil’s backup. Young, who made one start at left tackle last season, has made starts at both tackle positions in his career and could be the primary backup at both tackle positions this season.
The rest of the primary offensive line depth includes center/guard Anthony Steen, who made starts at center and guard last season, rookie guard Isaac Asiata, this year’s fifth-round pick, and center Jake Brendel, who was with the team last season.
The Dolphins’ offensive line would clearly suffer if either Pouncey or Tunsil, their two best players, has to miss time.
Pouncey’s hip ailment limited him to five games last season, kept him out of offseason workouts, and, according to coach Adam Gase, will limit his practice participation during the regular season.
But the Dolphins think they’re equipped to handle a possible issue with Pouncey or any of their other offensive linemen.
After all, they did it last season.
Dolphins’ training camp schedule: July 27, 8:20 a.m.; July 28, 8:20 a.m.; July29, 8:20 a.m.; July 30, 8:20 a.m.; July 31, 8:20 a.m.;
Aug. 2, 8:45 a.m.; Aug. 3, 8:20 a.m.; Aug. 4, 8:20 a.m.; Aug. 7, 8:45 a.m.; Aug. 8, 8:20 a.m.;
Aug. 13, 8:20 a.m.; Aug. 14, 8:20 a.m.; Aug. 15, 8:20 a.m.
All open practices will take place at the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University in Davie; Practice times are subject to change, for the most updated information call 954-452-7004or go to Dolphins.com/TrainingCamp