Dolphins lose Pouncey, Moreno in same day

Well, it wasn't the best day for the Miami Dolphins.

According to multiple sources, C Mike Pouncey and RB Knowshon Moreno both underwent surgery today and will miss significant time.

Pouncey missed all three practices last week with an undisclosed injury, which, we found out today, turned out to be a lingering hip issue.  The Dolphins originally thought the injury to be minor, but after further diagnosis the team deemed surgery to be the best option.

The time table for Pouncey's return is three months, which would have him missing all of training camp, all of the preseason, and at least the first month of the season.  Depending on how his recovery goes, the PUP list could also be a possibility for Pouncey, which would mean he wouldn't be eligible to return until week 7 against Chicago.

So, what does this mean?  Well, somebody is going to have to step up.  Whether it be Sam Brenner or Nate Garner, or even RG Shelly Smith, somebody must step up here in fill this void.  My guess would be backup C Sam Brenner, who took the majority of first team reps in Pouncey's absence last week.  Brenner saw starting time last year with the revolving door at offensive line, and was solid in that time.

As for RB Knowshon Moreno, his injury and subsequent surgery is far less serious.  Moreno has been dealing with a left knee issue, and it's been evident all throughout OTA's and minicamp.  According to sources, Moreno will return around training camp, and, at the latest, by the first preseason game.  Regardless, barring any setbacks, Moreno shouldn't miss any significant time.

What does this mean?  Well, Lamar Miller has been handling all the first team reps over the last month, and he's looked extremely solid in doing so.  Miller looks slightly bigger this year, just as fast, and, most importantly, looks very comfortable in Bill Lazor's new offense.

This new scheme seems to fit Miller well, as it plays to his biggest strength- his speed.  I've said it for a while now, I expect a big year out of Miller judging by what I've seen over the month, so I don't foresee this setback to Moreno effecting this offense too much right now.

The team and coaching staff are on vacation for the next month, which means the season is right around the corner.

Beginning in late July, players and coaches will report for training camp, signaling the official beginning of the new season.  Expect the blog to be back in regular season mode at that time, and then, much like the Dolphins themselves, it'll be off to the races!

We're almost there, folks.

76 days.

OTA's in the Books: What We Learned Offensively

The Miami Dolphins completed their final OTA practice that was open to the media yesterday morning amidst smoky conditions at the Doctors Hospital Training Facility in Davie, FL.  I've seen all three OTA practices that the Fins let the media in on, and will be here again next week for the team's mandatory Mini Camp.

Obviously, much will change between now and September 7, but plenty stood out during the open practices, as the changes between the 2013 Dolphins and the 2014 Dolphins were evident on both sides of the football.

Here are my offensive takeaways:

-  This offense could give you a headache: What I mean is there is so much pre-snap movement and motion that getting a clear read on the offense is darn near impossible.  Nearly every play features 2-3 players, usually tight ends, changing their position on the field.  At any given time you could see Charles Clay go from being down on the line, to the backfield next to Ryan Tannehill, to the slot alongside Mike Wallace.  You just never know.

- Mike Wallace should be a happy man this season: The drama last year centered around the lack of attention the Fins were giving Wallace (remember Cleveland?).  Well, I think it's safe to say those are officially days of the past.  Bill Lazor has been putting a special emphasis on the star WR, moving him just about everywhere on the field and making him a focal point in the offensive attack.  Look for a big year, potentially, from Wallace.

- The RB battle: Everybody sort of just gave this position to Knowshon Moreno and just forgot about Lamar Miller.  Well, I'd hold off on that, for now, at least, because Miller has come out of the gates firing, and has the lead in that battle as of right now.  Miller has looked bigger, and just as quick, while Moreno appears to be out of shape and a step slow right now.  This will be a good battle to keep an eye on.

- The new (and hopefully improved) O-line: Here are the guys to beat:  LT Branden Albert, LG Dallas Thomas, C Mike Pouncey, RG Shelly Smith, and RT Ja'wuan James.  Those are the starters as of today, with guys like Billy Turner, Nate Garner, and Jason Fox sitting a distant second.

- WR is deeeeeeep (but potentially fragile): This is one of the deepest positions on the Dolphins, but it's also injury prone.  Guys like Brandon Gibson, Brian Hartine, and Armon Binns are all either back healthy (Hartline and Binns), or close to it (Gibson), and have looked strong during OTA's.  Pair them with Mike Wallace, Rishard Matthews, and rookie Jarvis Landry and you have six guys possibly competing for a starting spot, or even a roster spot.  This unit is strong, but lets hope it remains healthy.

- Tannehill's Time: I was worried when the Dolphins fired Mike Sherman for the sole reason of what it would do to QB Ryan Tannehill.  The two have worked together for six years now, and changing systems on a young QB could be fatal.  HOWEVER, I really like what I've seen so far from Tannehill and Lazor.  This offense, from what I've seen, could be perfect for a QB like Ryan Tannehill.  It utilizes two things that define Tannehill: Roll outs, and throwing on the run.  Expect A LOT more designed roll outs from this offense.  Expect a lot more read option type plays.  Expect a lot of quick throws, quick screens, and quick hitches.  See a common denominator there?  Quickness.  The up-tempo style attack is exactly what Joe Philbin had originally envisioned for Tannehill and this offense when he cam where three years ago.  Unfortunately, Sherman did not come through with it.  It appears Lazor may have.


My defensive takeaways will be out tomorrow.  Come back then!

89 days.