Five bold moves Dolphins can make: Counterpoint

Mike Pouncey

Those people advocating that Mike Pouncey be moved from center to right guard just don’t seem to understand how important continuity is to the offensive line.  With the release of Albert, and the moving of Pouncey to guard, Miami would then have one starter (JuWuan James) who is playing the same position to end 2016.

Let’s assume for a minute that cohesion isn’t an issue with the offensive line.

"Center is the most important piece on the offensive line and as witnessed last season you need someone who can be consistent calling the blocking assignments at the line. –Brian Miller"

Most people agree with Brian.  Center is the most important position on the offensive line which is why teams don’t usually let good ones become available in free agency.  (Unless you are the Cleveland Browns and let Alex Mack walk away.)

The potential free agent centers are broken into two groups.  The “who’s who” of aging center and the “who?!” of younger centers.

As for the draft, there is one highly touted center coming out this year that experts think is “plug and play” and that is Pat Elflein from Ohio State.  Does Miami want to invest a first round pick on the offensive line because it’s doubtful that Elflein makes it to the end of round two.

Finally, when it comes to Pouncey playing right guard, he isn’t worth $9M.  Pouncey is so great as a center because he is cerebral, pulls extremely well, and can get to the second level.  The guard position, on the other hand, calls more for power than finese and that is not Pouncey’s game.  Supporters will point to him making the Pro Bowl in 2015 as a RG but everybody knows the Pro Bowl is about politics, not production.

Investing  in a center for the future is a great idea but if Miami is going to keep Mike Pouncey (as I suspect they will) then allow him to groom his successor and get a good, steady right guard.