Pouncey Release Best For All Involved
Pouncey gave his all to the Phins, but his release is best for all involved
Pouncey was elite talent worn down to average by injury
Shocking news cme today that Mike Pouncey has asked to be released. So, despite two other articles in the process of being put together, Phinsnews has had to jam the breaks on the presses and get this news out first.
The Front Office was pressuring Pouncey to take a pay cut, but he refused to take less. Pouncey’s refusal and the Dolphins lack of long-term vision for him is the reason for his desire to be released. Now that his cut is a done deal, Pouncey is a Free Agent, which is what he wanted so he can continue his career elsewhere ASAP.
Pouncey was a good pick for Miami with the 15th overall in 2011… But the human body isn’t meant to last long under the kind of duress that the NFL puts on a player. Pouncey’s quality playing time was far less than what he or the team had hoped for, but when healthy in his early days he was elite. Now though after several hips surgeries, a staph infection, miracle procedures, and a limited practice schedule he was average overall. His pass protection, leadership, ability to attack the second level, and calls were still at a high level.
Mike Pouncey was a force out of college
His Achilles Heel was his lack of power at the point of attack, which is well below average. This lack of power left him open to be victimized in certain schemes and limited his effectiveness dramatically in the run game.
Pouncey’s fragility was another major negative factor in his game. His need to rest his hips as a precaution lessened cohesion of the O-Line unit as a whole. A leader needs to be involved to lead. Allocating that much money ($9 million) to such a large question mark isn’t smart football.
Fans should give a nod of congratulations to Mike Tannenbaum and Adam Gase for holding to their evaluation in this matter. Can you say a sign of hope?!
Pouncey’s release brings more positives than negatives
I like this move for several reasons… despite how much I liked Pouncey as a player over the years.
- A primary issue was inconsistency, removing a huge “?” will help with consistency team-wide.
- This is a fiscally responsible move.
- Gase displayed strong attached to certain players in 2017. This cut shows maturity as an H.C.
- This will likely force Miami to invest a decent chip on the OL… hopefully in the draft.
- The ‘will he make it won’t he make’ / ‘over and under’ chatter on games played will die.
- Drake is Miami best weapon, now the “D’s” A Gap can be attacked in the run game.
- Kilgore is cheaper ($2 million in 2018) and more beyond so it opens the future CAP up.
In a round-about way, the Offensive Line is much improved
Here’s a good read on Kilgore.
I’d of been more concerned if the Sitton deal (tad bit expensive, but excellent for 2018) wasn’t in place and there wasn’t the Kilgore trade. since it is and they have, Miami is in a much better situation at Offensive Line. Even though the pass protection may be a bit less, the run blocking with be dramatically increased with these two. And given what the Fins do in the draft and how Brendel improves, it could end up much better ‘at the end of the day’. Also, DT’s lining in the A Gap will no longer have a revolving door to the backfield in front of them. That’s a very good thing.
So now it’s on to watching hours of film on Sitton and Kilgore… That is after a fond farewell to a fine Miami Dolphins player in Mike Pouncey. Best of luck Mike. As a fan, I thank you for all you gave–and you gave a lot! Well, Phins Fans, say what you want, but it’s been interesting so far. Go PHins!!!
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Another restructure of an older player. Again, this is one player/move that I do not mind, why? Wake is in their plans as long as Wake would like to be. He deserves to retire as a Dolphin. Like Tanny and Jones, these restructures are 3 players that are in the teams plans for the immediate and the future plans.
I agree… Wake will get less snap this season, but they will be higher quality… in this role, he could be valuable for 2 more seasons.
Admin
How far off are the Dolphins from achieving a functional offensive line? Base on the experts most NFL team on the averaged will keep the following:
OFFENSIVE LINE (8 or 9)
The starting five and a backup center, guard and tackle, plus another player for the developmental squad.
Hey Steve, doing my studying on Kilgore and Sitton now for an article tomorrow or next day… Have one on Hayes and the D and one of Jimmy’s on the docket. I’m still trying to process all these moves… BUT in regards to the OL move. Thumbs up. Sitton is the best LG since Incognito… 100%. He did get dinged up the last 2 season. But, 2017 was a concussion that knocked him out a half… he came back next week and played very well. The last 3 games he missed was a fluke injury when the C was blown up and rolled up on his leg. So I think he isn’t an injury risk. The interior 3 will be the best we’ve seen in a while. Davis will be above avg… if not better. I expect Sitton to help Tunsil and Davis’ stability to help James. Davis is very smart and an excellent communicator. Add in Eric Smith who I think has a legit shot in 2020 to start and Brendel… Asiata is an unknown. Overall much better.
Good luck Mike Pouncey!
Yeah, the injuries were a shame. Only 28yrs old… man the NFL is rough.
Culture change established. Very impressive.
I am… I was a little leery after the Amendola move… but this O-Line will be much more physical in the middle. Davis has elite strength, Sitton is an elite player and Kilgore was ranked 18th in the run game. Now the IF that comes into play is at the wings. IF Tunsil and James can get consistent, then this line will be the best we’ve witnessed in aqua in some time. With a lot of money open now and in 2019, all these contracts: Kiko, Branch, Sitton, and Amendola will leave a lot of money for 2020 and beyond. So good culture at the CAP is in place. Now a lot of 49ers fans like Kilgore a lot. Davis, Sitton, and Kilgore are grinders… great for culture. Gruden signed an equally old Nelson for far more, so I’ll give the Amendola move a chance… it will certainly help ‘culture’. This season will draw a stark line in the sand on talent v.s. culture. Gase will have everything he needs now. Fales & Hayes resign screams Vea at #11 to me. This draft will be very unpredictable though… if they hit this draft with some solid picks 2018 has a shot to get back on track.
Admin
You are not the only one leery about this move. The experts are giving this grade to the Dolphins.
Dolphins will sign WR Danny Amendola
Grade: D
Apparently, the Dolphins have a plan to win the AFC East with nothing but slot receivers. They agreed to a deal with Albert Wilson earlier on Tuesday. Maybe he’ll move outside … taking away targets from better receivers like Kenny Stills and Devante Parker.
It’s a $12 million deal for two seasons.
Lemmus, where are you, brother? hope all is well. This is all you, “if they ain’t try’ing, they ain’t winning”. O-L is going to be a bit different. What if they draft Nelson, ouch. I don’t want O-Line at 11, but if it were him, I wouldn’t be upset.
Miss the cantankerous old guy… hope all is well with you! He’s got to like the OL moves. The only thing with Sitton he’s missed a couple of games each of the last 2 years. I hope Asiata has dropped a few pounds and they draft another OL.
Hey, Lemmus was bitten by a snake while putting up a fence in his yard… foolish ole’ coot… he was making fun of the snakes and gators before the project… was in the hospital for a few days. He’ll make it though–thank God, too old and dumb to die 🙂
Sorry to hear about Lemmus!
Looking to read his comments on the offensive line changes. I’m sure that he will be back riding on the Pin Fan Saddle soon.
Good luck ‘ol man, Snake bitten, ouch. That is what Miami has been recently, maybe you took one for the team and good fortune is upon us. Well, the O-Line is fortunate, much better all around then been is quite awhile. Curiuos to hear your take Lemmus, and what it is you think they will do with pick 11 now.
Good-luck Lemm