Anchor wanted Who will step forward to become offensive line’s leader?
Ted Karras, seen playing for the New England Patriots in 2019 versus the New York Jets, new center. Karras signed with Miami in the offseason as a free agent.
In an ideal world the Miami Dolphins would have a seasoned, experienced offensive line, one where most of the starting unit has played together for a season or two.
And maybe that line would
spend a couple of weeks on the field together and in meeting rooms developing chemistry leading up to the season, becoming more familiar with one another’s strengths and weaknesses during the spring and summer.
Problem is, Miami’s struggles last season dictated that the franchise’s decision-makers reboot the team’s offensive line, adding eight newcomers. And the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down NFL offseason programs, ensures that the group will enter training camp unfamiliar with one another.
“Usually it’s a trial run before you start getting into the real deal,” said newcomer Ereck Flowers, who signed a threeyear, $30 million deal as a free agent this offseason. “You get to know your calls, who you’re playing with, what they like and what they like to do, their techniques on certain blocks.
“O-line is really different than other positions because it’s different variations of stuff you have to do in different places.”
And all of that requires familiarity and comfort. If you don’t
With the 2020 NFL season fast approaching, the South Florida Sun Sentinel takes a look at 10 storylines to watch for in a 10-part series ahead of the Miami Dolphins’ first day of training camp, which is set for Tuesday amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
have that, at the minimum the unit needs a leader, and that’s what the Dolphins are seeking.
Flowers has started a team-high 71 games over the past five seasons, but the former first-round pick recently began playing well after being moved to offensive guard two seasons ago.
Ted Karras spent one season as an NFL starter with the New England Patriots, so it isn’t as if his experience is overflowing.
Jesse Davis has started 41 games at three different positions since working his way up from Miami’s practice squad. And he’s quiet by nature.
And the rest of Miami’s offensive line is made up of veteran journeymen, rookies or second-year players, all of whom have barely established themselves as NFL contributors, much less starters.
Still, someone in this batch of 300-pounders must step forward and become the leader of the Dolphins’ rebuilt offensive line, helping it to redeem itself from the unit’s poor play in 2019 — which was arguably an offensive line’s worst performance in franchise history.
Not only did the
Dolphins set a new franchise low with 1,156 rushing yards (72 per game) produced, but Miami also led the NFL in sacks allowed (58 total, 3.6 per game).
There’s literally and figuratively nowhere to go but up for this unit. But to deliver on the group’s potential, and talent level, someone has to take the reins.
Someone must fill the role once held by Richmond Webb and Keith Sims, Jake Long and Richie Incognito, Branden Albert and Mike Pouncey.
A lineman or two must serve as the intermediary to the coaching staff and a mentor to the six rookies — three of whom were early 2020 draftees — on the roster.
A leader must teach the youngsters how to lift weights, study film, read defenses to pick up oncoming blitzers and develop good practice habits.
A lead dog must emerge, setting the pace and standards for this unit, which must perform in unison on game day in order for the offense to have success.
It is possible that Austin Jackson, Robert Hunt and Solomon Kindley, the three draftees, could eventually become that leader. But someone must initially show them the way, similar to how Albert taught Laremy Tunsil what it took to be a professional football player.
“The center has always had a leadership role,” said Karras, who organized unit workouts during the pandemic.
“I take that very seriously and really enjoy the opportunity.”
But is Karras, Flowers, or Davis suited to be Miami’s leader?
Only time and opportunity will tell, and the Dolphins don’t have much of either to spare when training camp kicks off. So the hope is that a leader will step to the forefront, becoming the captain Miami’s offensive line needs and show everyone the way.