Trio brings new dynamic to Dolphins offense
DAVIE The Miami Dolphins allowed a glimpse into the personalities of three of their new offensive acquisitions Friday — guard Josh Sitton, center Daniel Kilgore and slot receiver Albert Wilson — and, well, let’s just say they were an interesting trio.
Sitton, the four-time Pro Bowl selection who spent the past two years with Chicago, was candid. He compared the difference between left guard and right guard to personal hygiene.
“I could compare it with trying to wipe you’re a-with your opposite hand,” Sitton said during his introductory conference call with local media. “That might be a little bit too much for y’all but, it’s different when you’re not used to a position, switching.
“I hope I’ll end up on the left side.”
Wilson, 5-foot-9, 200-pound speedster who attended Port St. Lucie High School and spent the first four seasons of his career with Kansas City, was energetic. He spoke excitedly about the possibilities of the wide receivers corps.
“This receiving corps from last year, we’re flying right now,” he said of a group that includes himself, Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker, Jakeem Grant, Leonte Carroo and newly acquired Danny Amendola. “Just off of what you’re looking at, we’re straight up flying.
“And I feel like the way we’re going to put stretch on some defenses, it’s going be crazy. The speed just outright, just shows itself. So it’s going to be great getting with the guys and putting our speed to test.”
Kilgore, the seven-year veteran from San Francisco, was forgiving. He could have been bitter about being traded from the 49ers one month after signing a threeyear, $11.8 million extension. Instead, he was appreciative he landed in a good spot.
“This is a new chapter for my family and I,” he said. “I think the change will be good.
“As far as how they handled it, I appreciate how [49ers coach] Kyle [Shanahan] and [general manager] John Lynch got me in a position where I can be successful. They could have traded me anywhere, but I think they did the right thing by putting me in a position that they know I can be successful, and putting me with a staff that loves the game and that are good people.”
The Dolphins are trying to patch up their offense on the fly as they attempt to recover from losses such as center Mike Pouncey and slot receiver Jarvis Landry, who each went to three Pro Bowls with the Dolphins.
Among other losses are quarterback Jay Cutler, who might retire again, and tight end Julius Thomas, who was released. Further potential losses include tight end Anthony Fasano, running back Damien Williams and guard Jermon Bushrod, who are unrestricted free agents.
But the Dolphins’ offense seems to be in recovery mode at this early stage of free agency among Kilgore, Sitton, Wilson and Amendola, signed from New England.
Plus, quarterback Ryan Tannehill returns from his knee injury.
Right now, it appears Miami’s offense would feature Tannehill, running back Kenyan Drake, wide receivers Parker, Stills and Amendola, and a starter-to-benamed later at tight end.
On the offensive line, it seems to be Kilgore at center, Sitton at left guard, Ted Larsen at right guard, Laremy Tunsil at left tackle and Ja’Wuan James at right tackle.
The Dolphins were 25th in total offense last season (307.7 yards per game) and 28th in scoring (17.6 points per game).
At this early point of the offseason — the opening days of free agency and roughly six weeks before the draft — it’s tough to see Miami’s offense improving dramatically from last year.
Regardless, it’s only the start of the revamping process, and Sitton is optimistic.
“Tannehill coming back and being healthy, I think there’s a lot of good parts to this team that are in place and I think we can be a really good football team,” he said.
“I want to be somewhere I think we can win, and I think we can do that here.”
Twitter @Chrisperk