Did Miami Dolphins off-season moves bring “culture change?”

Mike Pouncey

Losing Mike Pouncey was necessary. Pouncey has been a very good center, sometimes great center, for the Dolphins. He has been a leader both vocally and by example but Pouncey has also been immature at times.

The Dolphins kept Pouncey in place after the bully-gate fiasco that cost a coach, a trainer, Incognito, and John Jerry their jobs. Pouncey was involved in that as well. Then after Aaron Hernandez was arrested for murder he and his brother wore “Free Hernandez” hats.

Pouncey’s immaturity off the field was well masked by his injury history on the field. In 2017 Pouncey played through the entire season but Miami had to regiment his practice schedule and his reps through camp. This hurt the dynamic of the offensive line. Still as the season progressed and the guard situations improved, the Dolphins offensive line did as well.

Pouncey was very good at calling out blocking assignments at the line of scrimmage and he gave his all to the Dolphins on every play, practice, and everything else that goes with being a football player on a professional teams but Pouncey’s body is wearing down and his hips are not good.

Pouncey is not with the Dolphins because they reportedly approached him about taking a pay cut down from the almost $9 million 2018 cap hit. Pouncey told them he was actually more interested in a long term deal and a raise. When the Dolphins said no, he asked for and was granted his release.

Pouncey has lined up visits with other teams but he needs to consider leaving the NFL while he can still walk.