The Offensive Line Situation

Last season, the Dolphins biggest change outside of Chad Pennington might have been the reliability of the offensive line. While they didn't dominate, they were pushovers no more. The team ranked 12th in the NFL in both pass and run blocking according to Football Outsiders, and though they certainly improved throughout the year, 2008 was merely phase one. Sparano wants to keep building up front, as this year was proof that there are lots of talented skill players in this league, but you need big guys to make them look good.

As far as offseason activity goes, there was plenty of it along the offensive line. First of all, the coaching change from Maser to DeGuglielmo can only be interpreted as a positive change. Sparano is obviously an offensive line guy, and DeGuglielmo is somebody who he knows very well. The line will definitely be taught exactly how Sparano likes.

As far as the players go, last year Jake Long stepped into the left tackle position and found himself in Hawaii in February. Likewise, Justin Smiley was the big free agent prize last year, and he had himself a solid season until it was shortened by injury. Those two will be back, so the left side of the line should be stable.

On the other side, there was much more uncertainty. The biggest question up front was whether Vernon Carey would be back, and Bill Parcells made sure he got his guy by paying him. Carey got 6 years and $42 million, including $14 million guaranteed. While this was a high price, this is probably what the market would've demanded, and the trifecta wanted to make sure they got their guy. Now the Dolphins have bookends at the tackles for the next five years, so you can understand the willingness to spend a bit.

Meanwhile, at right guard, the Dolphins rotated multiple players in after promising preseason rookie starter Donald Thomas went down in Week 1. However, this year the Dolphins are excited to have the mamoth back to see what he can do over the course of a season. The likes of Andy Alleman and Ike Ndukwe remain providing interior depth.

Finally, despite Samson Satele starting his first two years at center, the Dolphins really weren't happy with his play. Specifically, he did not carry the size that Parcells and company like to see up front. So, they went in search of an upgrade this offseason.

Jason Brown of the Ravens was the consensus best center available in free agency, but he was snatched up by the Rams for 5 years and $37.5 million, more than the Dolphins were willing to pay. So, the Dolphins ended up with Jake Grove, a 29-year-old rescued from Oakland. They piad him $29 million over 5 years, and if that doesn't seem like much less, consider that Miami is paying him $14m in guarantees, as opposed to $24m with Brown.

I must say, if the Dolphins were weary of giving that much money to Brown (which confuses me to begin with, because he has been a better player than Carey, $42m, to this point in his career), I would have rather they went with a cheaper option or the draft. Matt Birk, for example, who is more than capable of leading an offensive line, went for only $12 million over 3 years. I understand that he is older, but at some point value comes with age. Also, I don't know much about Grove, so I would like to refrain from passing judgement, but the reviews of him seem to be mixed at best, a 2nd round pick who never materialized into something special. We will have to wait and see...

As far as the draft goes, don't expect the Dolphins to draft up front early. I would've very much liked to see them go with centers Alex Mack or Max Unger in the first round, both of whom could step into an NFL lineup and start, but with Grove's 29 milli in the equation, this doesn't seem so likely.

Joe Berger was added to bring depth to the interior, so I wouldn't expect the Dolphins to draft anyone there later either. The only real draft need on the line is some depth at tackle behind Long and Carey, so look for the Dolphins to spend at least one late round flier there, maybe two.

The bottom line is that the line is set for years to come. I pray that Jake Grove can exceed expectations, because if he does the Miami Dolphins will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.