Dolphins Eyeing Lineman With Drafts Number 19
By Brian Miller
Sep 1, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio (71) on the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Cowboys Stadium. Alabama beat Michigan 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Dolphins have a need on the right side of the line of scrimmage. It was perpetuated with the locker room antics last year leading the eventual trade of Jonathan Martin. It continued to be a major problem area when Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey failed to address the position during last months free agency. Now with their backs against the wall, it appears very real that Miami will indeed select a lineman at number 19. If in fact you believe Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post.
Abramson is hearing that the Dolphins’ Hickey is enamored with Alabama lineman Cyrus Kouandjio. And why shouldn’t he? I mean all of us bloggers would love to have to write his name daily as opposed to say Zach Martin. Not to mention that Martin could wear J. Mart’s jersey number and then guys like Brian Catanzaro, my Finsradio co-host, wouldn’t have to pitch his authentic jersey in the trash. Oh but I do digress.
The reality here is that Miami painted themselves into a corner when they would raise their offer to former Bronco Zach Beadles. Beadles opted to sign with Jacksonville after Miami made an offer that according to sources was between 1.5 and 2 million dollars over the life of the deal. Small price to pay to lock down your line opposite Branden Albert. With the Dolphins now empty on the right, there is little choice for the team to go offensive line in the first round.
At 6-7 322 pounds Kouandijio is a very big man but he has a history of knee issues and while his doctor says his knees are not an issue tell that to the knee joint holding up that 322 pound frame. The Dolphins could look at Michigan’s Taylor Lewan who many believe will be gone or Virginia tackle Morgan Moses. According to Abramson via his source, Hickey wants CK.
"“Dennis has got a love for Kouandjio and he should be sitting there for them,” the source said."
The fact that Hickey likes CK more than Moses is interesting and telling at the same time. New Dolphins OC Bill Lazor was Moses coach at Virginia. Abramson pointed out that his source said there are concerns over his off-field issues and work ethic.
Of course it is the time of year where black curtains and smoke signals are tossed out to any journalist willing to write about it. That easily could be the case here. Or Hickey could be trying something completely different, leaking his actual interest in an effort to throw everyone off into another direction entirely.